32 Korean Phrases to learn from Korean Dramas

If you're a big K-drama fan (or K-popper), you've probably picked up a lot of Korean terms and phrases, and you might even be able to carry a conversation or two. The wonderful thing about K-dramas is that they include a lot of repeating words, especially when it comes to love themes.

Here are some Korean phrases and vocabulary that every K-drama lover should be familiar with! Subtitles may become obsolete sooner rather than later. Wouldn't that be fantastic?

1. Annyeong Haseyo (안녕하세요)

Even non-K-drama lovers are familiar with this Korean term! Maybe it's because they constantly hear it from their K-drama-obsessed friends, have Korean friends of their own, or have traveled to Korea and picked up a few words. As we all know, the colloquial term for this is "annyeong".

2. Unnie (언니)/ Oppa (오빠)/ Noona (누나)/ Hyung (형)

Unnie: what a female calls an older female

Oppa: what a female calls an older male

Noona: what a male calls an older female

Hyung: what a male calls an older male

You don't have to be connected by blood to address someone with these phrases. These words are frequently used to express closeness and are very endearing. If your boyfriend or girlfriend is older than you, the terms "Oppa" or "Noona" might be used to refer to them.

3. Ga-Ji-ma (가지마)

The expression "Gajima", which literally means "don't go," is frequently used in the most charming scenes ever. It's also utilized jokingly in a lot of scenes, giving spectators mixed feelings.

4. Sa-rang-hae (사랑해)

"Saranghae" is clearly one of the most prevalent Korean terms used in K-dramas because a K-drama wouldn't be complete without at least one character falling in love.

The legendary phrase "Saranghae" means "I love you" in Korean. Which K-drama do you believe has the most renowned "saranghae" confession?

5. Yak-sohk-hae (약속해)

The word "Yaksohkhae" means "Promise Me?". A very diligent expression of asking someone do they promise?

6. Joahae (좋아해)

It always takes some bravery and a few episodes into the series for our leading Oppa unnie to say "Joahae". We're always on the edge of our seats, anticipating what will happen next.

Remember to say "yo" while chatting to older individuals or people who aren't close to you. As a result, you can hear "joahaeyo" instead of "joahaeyo" when K-drama protagonists acknowledge they like someone older than them.

7. Bae-go-pah? (배고파?)

Oh well!!! The best phrase ever. Used more than ten times in an episode the term "Baegopah" means "I'm Hungry". The term is one of the most famous phrases in the K-drama fandom.

8. Heng-bok-hae (행복해)

Remember how ecstatic Mi-ho was when Dae-Wong told her he liked her as well? This is an excellent example of how to use the Korean theatrical word "Hengbokhae". This is something you'll hear a lot in Korean dramas, so if you hear it, you'll know what it means.

9. Bogo sipeo (보고싶어)

When it comes to frequent Korean words, "bogosipeo" is one of the most popular in Korean dramas.

This is an informal way of saying "I miss you," and it is usually reserved for the speaker's closest friends and family. Meanwhile, while speaking with ordinary friends, Koreans use the longer phrase, "bogosipeoyo".

10. Jal-Ja (잘자)

You can definitely use this phrase sweetly while wishing someone "good night". Though it literally means "sleep well" it is used often as good night or sweet dreams.

11. Geok-Jeong-ha-Ji-ma (걱정하지마)

Oh, don't worry we'll tell you the accurate meaning of this phrase. Well!! it actually means "Don't Worry". Often used as a word of affirmation in hard times.

12. Gwen-cha-na? (괜찮아? )

It literally translates to "Are You Okay?". This Korean drama vocabulary is one of the most popular because it is frequently used and because it was popularized by the Korean drama Welcome Waikiki. This can be used to inquire about someone's well-being or to express your own.

13. Wae Geu Rae? (왜그래)

When you see someone in a Korean drama looking unhappy, crying, drinking alone, or sighing deeply, you'll immediately inquire, "Waegeurae" which means "What's the matter?" .. Because a character confesses their difficulty. This is also an important Korean drama word to grasp.

14. Ireoke (이렇게?)

Though it literally translates to "Like this". This Korean drama idiom can also be translated as "What should I do?" It's a statement that can be used to ask someone how to do something or to encourage someone to do something a certain way, depending on the situation.

15. Eotteoke (어떻게?)

This is a well-known Korean drama vocabulary as well. This is a common phrase used by Koreans when they don't know how to do something or when they want to show empathy to others.

16. Jugeullae (죽을래?)

The most iconic and funniest Korean phrase ever. It literally means "Do You Want To Die?" When you hear this word, the first person who comes to mind is Jang Man-Wol of Hotel Del Luna. This is a term used in Korean dramas when characters are irritated.

17. Geurae (그래?) / Jinjja (진짜?) / Jeongmal (정말?)

It means "Really?" in English. This is another term used frequently in Korean dramas. This is utilized when they can't believe what they're seeing or when they're astonished.

18. Ya! (야!)

Do you recall the scene in Reply 1988 where Sun-woo rushes up to Taek and announces that he and Bo-ra had rekindled their romance? While he's focused on breaking the news, he overlooks the presence of Deok-sun (Bo-ra's sister).

Then she heard a loud "Ya!" from Deok-sun, which caught her off guard. Not just this drama but every drama has this iconic phrase.  If you're a die-hard K-drama lover, you'll recognize this Korean drama jargon.

19. Hwaiting (화이팅)

It means "Fighting!" in English. If you've seen "Fight For My Way", you'll remember Park Seo-Joon's delivery of this Korean drama phrase. It's a word of encouragement used to lift someone's spirits. "Do your best!" and "Good luck!" are two phrases that come to mind.

20. Sesange (세상에!?)

Another word is used in Korean dramas to indicate surprise or incredulity. This is a term that every K-drama fan is familiar with because it is frequently used to describe evil characters that do awful things.

21. Jae-bal (제발)

This is also one of the most frequently utilized drama terms in a conversation. It simply means "Please", but it's a phrase you'll hear a lot because it's used in a variety of contexts.

22. Andwae (안돼)

Se-ri's run toward Captain Ri after being imprisoned and handcuffed is another memorable moment from "Crash Landing On You". She insisted that she couldn't allow it to happen because of her. This is definitely a memorable Korean drama world, especially for fans of CLOY.

23. Samgak-kwangae (삼각관계)

Han Ji-Pyeong, Han seo-joon, Deok sun and Choi Taek. Is there anything else to say about these characters? Yes! These are only a few of the well-known love triangles in Korean dramas known as Samgak-kwangae. There are many Korean dramas with this type of plot, which is why Samgak-kwangae is a must-know Korean drama vocabulary term.

24. Jjaksarang (짝사랑)

One-sided love or crush is one of the most heartbreaking things in the world, especially in the Korean drama world, as Jo Yi-Seo discovered when she fell in love with Park Saeroyi while knowing that he was in love with his first love.

Friendships are successfully transformed into lovers in Korean dramas, while some remain one-sided love or crush Jjaksarang.

25. Kyulhonhaejo (결혼해줘)

Mi-So & Young-Joon (What's Wrong With Secretary Kim? ), Goblin & Eun-Tak (Goblin), Dal-Mi & Do-San (Start-Up), Da-Jung & Dae-Youn (18 Again). These are a few of the most memorable marriages in Korean dramas. Consider how you felt when the man said "(Kyulhonhaejo)" during the scenes. I'm sure it's extravagant. As a result, learning this Korean theatrical language is crucial.

26. Haeuhjija (헤어지자)

Korean dramas are full of terrible and heartbreaking events like breakups, in addition to lovely and romantic scenes. If you're familiar with Korean drama terminology, you'll most likely tear your eyes out when you hear your favorite couple say this.

Jeong-Ha and Hye-Jun (Record Of Youth), Moon-Young and Gang-Tae (It's Okay To Not Be Okay), Dal-mi (Bae Suzy), and Do-san (Bae Suzy) are just a few of the most memorable Korean drama breakups (Kim Kang-hoon). Bring a lot of difficulties with you if you make it to this episode.

27. Aigo (아이구)

Finally, the Korean word "aigo" means "shock", "frustration", "confusion", and "disappointment". As a result, you can bet there are a lot of instances in K-dramas where characters say something like this in the heat of the moment.

28. Mi-Ahn-Hae (미안해)

Apart from our love of K-dramas, knowing the Korean phrase for "I'm sorry" will come in handy if we run into any troubles during our travels in South Korea. The informal apologies are called "Mianhae".

29. Hajima (하지마)

The meaning of "hajima" in Korean dramas is easy to pick out even without subtitles because characters constantly say it when they're angry. It literally stands for "Don't do it". It's also Suga's favorite phrase to use in Run BTS.

30. Gamsahabnida (감사합니다)

You'll hear "gamsahabnida" again and over in every K-drama you watch since Koreans are generally courteous and respectful. "Gomawo," on the other hand, is used to express gratitude to a close friend or a relative.

This is the one Korean phrase, in our opinion, that you should never forget when visiting South Korea.

31. Sunbae (선배) / Hoobae (후배)

Sunbae is a respectful phrase for someone who worked at a workplace or attended an educational facility before you, and can also be addressed as "senior".

Hoobae is a phrase for someone who began working at your company or attending your school after you — also known as "junior."

32. Nam-ja-chin-goo / Yeo-jah-chin-goo

If you're someone who has someone special in your life, this phase could be very useful for you.

Namjachingoo= boyfriend

Yeojahchingoo= girlfriend

Use it for your Namjachingoo or Yeojahchingoo and impress them.

These well-known Korean phrases and terms that we frequently hear in K-dramas should be simple to remember, right? You can even start using this new lingo in your normal discussions with your K-drama-obsessed buddies once you've become used to it.

Thanks For Reading!!