In English, we often shorten words and phrases especially when we are typing to someone to save time. In Korean, there is also a trend toward simplifying words to make it quicker while typing or speaking.
This article will teach you 10 Korean Phrases Native Speakers Shorten All The Time to help you avoid confusion when reading text messages from your Korean friends or when they are speaking to you.
1. 일욜 illyol = 일요일 illyoil
일요일 means ‘Sunday’ in Korean. As you may have noticed, ‘요일’ is taken from the original word 일요일. You can do this with the other days of the week too! For example, 월욜 (Monday), 화욜 (Tuesday), 수욜 (Wednesday), etc.
Example:
그럼 월욜에 볼까? geureom wollyole bolkka?
“Shall we meet on Monday?”
2.낼 nael = 내일 naeil
내일 which means ‘tomorrow’ in Korean. When it comes to typing, Koreans usually shorten the word to 낼. The ㄹ character is often shifted in Korean text messaging in order to shorten words, so look out for it!
Example:
낼 만나다 nael mannada
“Meet tomorrow”
3. 짱나 jjangna = 짜증나 jjajeungna
If you love texting your friends when people annoy you, then this is the word for you. 짜증나 jjajeungna means ‘annoying’ in Korean. If you want to tell how annoying your classmate or co-worker is, just use 짱나 when texting.
Example:
아! 짱나! ah! jjangna!
Ah! It's annoying!
[INSERT_ELEMENTOR id= 25585]
4. 몰겠어 molgesseo = 모르겠어 moreugesseo
모르겠어 moreugesseo means “I don't know” in Korean. You can just say 몰겠어 molgesseo when someone asks you something you don't know especially through texting.
Example:
A: Where did you keep my shirt?
B: 몰겠어 molgesseo
“I don't know”
5. 열공 yeolgong = 열심히 공부하세요 yeolsimhi gongbuhaseyo
열공 (yeolgong) is the shortened way of saying “study hard”. This abbreviation is not only used while typing but in speaking as well. If you are reading this article, you are probably studying or planning to study Korean, so most likely people will say this phrase to you from time to time.
Example:
A: My Suneung exam is in a month time.
B: 열공 yeolgong
“study hard”
6. 넘neom = 너무 neomu
너무 neomu is a very common word used by Koreans and it is oftentimes shortened to 넘 neom. 너무 (neomu) is one of the many in the Korean language to say “very”.
Example:
A: How are you feeling?
B: 넘 슬퍼요 neom seulpeoyo
“Very sad”
[INSERT_ELEMENTOR id= 84682]
7. 샘 saem = 선생님seonsaengnim
선생님seonsaengnim means “teacher” in Korean and as teachers are meant to be respected, shortening this word when speaking is only acceptable if you are close to your teacher.
샘 saem is sometimes used by Koreans while speaking but it is more commonly used while writing. The shortened version is used as a suffix to be attached to your Korean teachers’ first name.
Example:
A: What is your Korean teacher's name?
B: 윤샘 yunsaem
“Yun Ssam”
8. 올만이네 olmanine = 오랜만이네요 oraenmanineyo
올만이네 olmanine means “long time no see” in Korean. However, you can also use this phrase while texting. Perhaps, you can practice this phrase now by texting your old Korean speaking friend who you don't contact with?
Example:
A: 안녕하세요 Annyeonghaseyo [hi]
B: 안녕하세요! 올만이네 Annyeonghaseyo! Olmanine
“Hi! Long time no see”
9. 글고 geulgo = 그리고 geurigo
그리고 geurigo is one of the many ways to say “and” in Korean. If you are texting, you can use 글고 geulgo.
Example:
A: What do I need to bring?
B: 펜 글고공책 pen geulgo gongchaek
“Pen and notebook”
[INSERT_ELEMENTOR id= 67451]
10. 재밌다 jaemitda = 재미있다 jaemiitda
재미있다 jaemiitda means “fun” in Korean. This word can be shortened to 재밌다 jaemitda
Example:
A: Why do like to go to the beach?
B: 왜냐면 재밌다 waenyamyeon jaemitda
“Because its fun”
Have you used any of these shortened Korean words? Let us know in the comments below if you know other words!
Responses