As we know from the movie, the girls' dialogue are peppered with some Korean in the movie such as "Geureomhaji" (maybe), "Aish", and "Gaja, gaja, gaja" though they sing in Korean more often than speak it. If you are a fanfic writer, this is for you! This post will cover some basic but comprehensive Korean words and phrases to put in your fanfics.
[Note: If you're here for a quick glance, do not press "view more". This is a very very long post. You will be here for eternity. Proceed with caution.]
Before we start, I will like to note several things:
1. If you see two several spellings of the same word, that's normal. In Hangul, these are more or less the same letters, it's only spelled differently in romanization (you can especially see these in surnames [Example: Cho = Jo, Lee = Yi, Park = Bak, etc.). These include:
There's a whole other bunch of rules out there about the letters, but I'm not here to teach Korean, I'm just here to make a post about words and phrases for fanfic writers and this is probably not going to be that useful in this post because I'll just type the words however I liked, I just put this out there in case somebody mentions seeing a different spelling than the one I use (is that ever gonna happen anyways? Probably not, but I'm an overthinker so)
2. What word is used in a sentence is very, very context-dependent so you might find that there are several words that mean the same thing but can't be used interchangeably otherwise it'll sound awkward.
3. Related to point #2, one of the reasons why there are several words for the same thing or concept is because of the formality. In Korean, you don't speak the same way would speak to your boss, the same way you speak to a friend or a teacher to your mother. Because of this, there are many different levels of formality (I remember there's like 8) but since this is just the basics for beginners, we'll just start with the first three which I will label by letter for ease
[Note: While this is a basic guide to the levels, do note that in practice, how people talk are a lot more fluid so while a daughter might usually talk to her mother using haeyoche, she might slip into haeche in a moment of playfulness or anger where she might forget the level she's supposed to talk to her mother to.
Also if you see parents talking to their toddlers very politely, that isn't because the toddler is above their parents in the natural hierarchy, it's just parents trying to teach their toddlers how to be polite by showing them with the assumption that their toddlers will mimic them]
Good, now throw it all away because we're getting to the part you're actually here for!
[Note: All English equivalents are not one to one to what the Korean actually means, I'm just choosing what is the closest equivalent that I can think of]
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Of course we have to kick things off with greetings!
[F] Annyeong-hasimnikka (안녕하십니까) = "Good day"
[F & I] Annyeong-haseyo (안녕하세요) = "Hello"
[Note: Annyeong-hasimnikka is very stiff so you wouldn't use this much unless you're in a very very formal situation]
For hello's if you're on the phone:
[F] Jeo [Name]-indeyo (저 [이름]인데요) = This is [insert name here]...
[I] Yeoboseyo (여보세요) = Hello?
[Note: Unless, it's casual, the greeting is not said alone and is usually followed up by things like "jigeum tonghwa gwaenchanheuseyo? (지금 통화 괜찮으세요?)" or "Is it okay to talk to you right now" if formal or "Tonghwa ganeunghae? (통화 가능해?)" which translate to something like "Can I talk to you?" if informal]
For goodbye if you're leaving while everyone stays:
[F] Annyeonghi-gyesipsio (안녕히계십시오) = "Please remain peacefully"
[I] Annyeonghi-gyeseyo (안녕히계세요) = "Stay in peace"
Na Meonjeo Galge (나 먼저 갈게) = "I'll leave first."
Jal Isseo (잘 있어) = "Take care"
For goodbyes if someone else is leaving while everyone else stays or everyone is parting ways:
[F] Annyeonghi-gasipsio (안녕히가십시오) = "Farewell"
Josimhaeseo-gaseyo (조심해서 가세요) = "Take care"
Annyeonghi-gaseyo (안녕히 가세요) = "Goodbye"
Josim ga (조심 가) = "Take care"
[Note: If you notice "Annyeong" is used as a casual "hello" and "goodbye", that's normal. This is because Koreans have this habit of shortening sentences as much as possible as long as it rolls off the mouth smoothly but really, "Annyeong' is kind of like but also not like "Ciao"(???). It's just a shortening of two different sentences]
For goodbyes if you're getting off a phone call:
[F & I] Ne, kkeuneulkeyo (네 끊을게요) = "Yes, I'm going to hang up now."
[I & C] Kkeuneulke (끊을게) = "Hanging up now."
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How people ask "How are you?"
[F & I] Jal Jinaesyeosseoyo? (잘 지내셨어요?) = "Have you been doing well?"
Mwo haeyo? (뭐해요?) = "What are you up to?"
Yojeum Eottaeyo? (요즘 어때요?) = "How is it going lately?"
Bap Meogeosseoyo? (밥 먹었어요?) = "Have you eaten?"
Mwo hae? (뭐 해?) = "What are you doing?"
Bap Meogeosseo? (밥 먹었어?) = "Have you eaten?"
Jal Jinaesseo? (잘 지냈어?) = "You good?"
Yojeum Eottae? (요즘 어때?) = "How it's going?"
How people ask "How are you?" if they call you in the morning
[I] Jal jasseoyo? (잘 잤어요?) = Did you sleep well?
[C] Jal Jasseo? (잘 잤어?) = You slept well?
[Note: Usually the response to these questions is an affirmative or negative response + repeated verb (Example: "Did you sleep well?" "Eung, I slept well"). Emphasis on usually, this isn't always the case. Such as responding with "Geunyang geuraeyo (trans: Just so-so)" or "Geunyang geurae (trans: so-so/meh)"]
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Excuse me if you're passing through or interrupting someone
[F] Sillye-hamnida (실례합니다) = "Pardon me"
[I] Sillye-haeyo (실례해요) = "Excuse me"
Excuse me for if you're trying to get someone's attention
[F] Sillye-hamnida (실례합니다) = "Pardon me"
Jeogiyo (저기요) = "Over here"
Yeogiyo (여기요) = "Over here"
[Note: The difference between Jeogiyo and yeogiyo is that jeogiyo is used when the person being beckoned is farther away whereas yeogiyo is for when they're a little closer]
Other Excuse me [Note: I'm sure there's a proper term for it but right now it's eluding me]
Jamsimanyo (잠시만요) = "Hold on a moment"
Jamkkanmanyo (잠깐만요) = "In a moment"
Jamsiman (잠시만) = "Hold on a second"
Jamkkanman (잠깐만) = "Wait a minute"
[I & C] Gidaryeo (기다려) = "Wait"
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Eung (응) = "Yeah" [This is a little softer so you might hear this from children and women more (but not always)]
Eo (어) = "Yeah" [This is a little more gruff so you might hear this from dudes, older people or just blunt people in general more.]
Agreeement if someone suggests an idea
Joseumnida (좋습니다) = "That's good" or "I like it"
Donguihamnida (동의합니다) = "I agree"
Geureosipsiyo (그러십시오) = "Let's do that"
Joayo (좋아요) = "That's good!' or 'I like it!"
Donguihaeyo (동의해요) = "I agree"
Joa (좋아) = "Good!" or "I like it!"
Donguihae (동의해) = "Agreed."
Agreeement if someone asks for perrmission (also works for suggestions)
[F] Dwimnida (됩니다) = "It is possible."
[I] Dwaeyo (돼요) = "It works." or "It's fine"
[C] Dwae (돼) = "Sure" or "it's okay"
Agreement if given instructions
[F] Ganeung-hamnida (가능합니다) = "It is possible."
Halsuisseoyo (할수있어요) = "I can do it."
Geureolgeyo (그럴게요) = "I'll do it." or "All right"
[I] Algesseoyo (알겠어요) = "I see."
Halsuisseo (할수있어) = "I can do it."
Geureolge (그럴게) = "I'll do it"
Algesseo (알갰어) = "I got it"
Arasseo (알았어) = "Got it."
[F] Gwaenchansumnida (괜찮습니다) = "I'm fine" or "It's fine"
[I] Gwaenchanayo (괜찮아요) = "I'm fine" or "It's fine"
[C] Gwaenchana (괜찮아) = "I'm okay" or "It's okay"
[I] Geureomyo (그럼요) = "Of course"
[C] Geureom (그럼) = "Okay"
[C] Geureochi (그러지) = "That's right!"
[F] Matseumnida (맞습니다) = "That is correct"
[I] Majayo (맞아요) = "That's right"
[C] Maja (맞아) = "That's right"
[Note: You might hear people repeat "Maja maja", this is because repeating words puts a lot more emphasis like "Gaja, gaja" for insisting someone to come with you or "Pali-pali" to tell someone how much you want them to hurry.]
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[F] Animnida (아닙니다) = "No" or "It is not."
Disagreements if someone suggests an idea
Byeollonimnida (별로입니다) = "I have reservations about this"
Bandaehamnida (반대합니다) = "I disagree"
Geureon geot gatji ansumnida (그런 것 같지 않습니다) = "I don't think so"
Byeollo-yeyo (별로예요) = "It's not my preference."
Bandae-haeyo (반대해요) = "I disagree"
Geureon geot gatji anayo (그런 것 같지 않아요) = "I don't think so"
Byeollo-ya (별로야) = "I don't like it"
Bandae-hae (반대해) = "I disagree.'
Geureon geot gatji ana (그런 것 같지 않아) = "Nope"
Disagreement if someone asks for permission (also works for suggestions)
[F] An-dwemnida (안됩니다) = "It's not possible"
[I] An-dwaeyo (안 돼요) = "It won't work"
[C] An-dwae (안 돼) = "It won't work"
Disagreement if given instructions
[I] Anhaeyo (안해요) = "I'm not going to do it" or "I won't do it"
[C] Anhae (안해) = "I won't do it"
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[F] Jal moreugesseumnida (잘 모르겠읍니다) = "I do not know well"
Mollayo (몰라요) = "I don't know"
Geulsseyo (글쎄요) = "I'm not so sure..."
Molla (몰라) = "Don't know"
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Wae (왜) = "Why?" (sometimes can also be "What)
[I] Waeyo? (왜요?) = "Why?"
[C] Wae-geurae? (왜그래?) = "What's wrong?"
[I] Mwoyo? (뭐요?) = "What was that?"
[C] Mworago? (뭐라고?) = "What did you say?"
Nugu? (누구) = "Who?" or "Who is it?"
[I] Nuguseyo? (누구시요?) = "Who are you?"
[I] Eodiyo? (어디요?) = "Where is it?" or "Where is this?"
[C] Eodiya? (어디야) = "Where are you?"
[I] Eonjeyo? (언제요?) = "When is it?"
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[F] –jusipsio (-주십시요) = "Please do [this] for me."
[I] –juseyo (-주세요) = "Please"
[C] –jwo (-줘) = "Do [this]
[Note: These are all suffixes added to the end of a noun like "Dowa-juseyo" to mean 'Help, please" or "Igeo-juseyo" to mean "Give me this, please" but personally, I think it's a bit awkward to try and insert it into english [Ex: "Hug me juseyo"] so just use the english word "Please" if you're writiing the plea in english.]
Jebal (제발) = "I'm begging you"
[The difference between juseyo and jebal is that jebal is more begging than asking so it's used more when someone is being desperate. And it can be used as its own word instead of a suffix]
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[F] Yaksok-hamnida (약속합니닫) = "I pledge" or "I vow"
[I] Yaksok-haeyo (약속해요) = "I promise"
[C] Yaksokhae (약속해) or Yaksok (약속) = "Promise"
[Note: You'll see people who have intimate relationships with each other (families, couples, friends) do a pinky swear when making a promise, it's usually initiated with a "Yaksok?" then (1) Link pinkie fingers together, (2) Twist the wrists so the knuckles from both hands touch, (3) Press the thumbs together to "seal" the promise]
[C] Yaksok eogyeosseo (약속 어겼어) = "You broke your promise"
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Despite how I titled this, note that this can be used romantically or platonically (not usually because it can be mistaken as a romantic confession but if you have affectionate friends, you'll hear it from them), or familial...ly (won't hear it much from them even more unless you're still a toddler or you have emotionally healthy, affectionate parents and siblings)
[F] Saranghamnida (사랑함니다) = "I love you"
[I] Saranghaeyo (사랑해요) = "I love you"
[C] Saranghae (사랑해) = "Love you"
Bonus: Saranghanu (사랑하누) = "Love you" [Idols use this to express aegyo towards fans, but this is not its origin]
[I] Jeodo saranghaeyo (저도 사랑해요) = "I love you too"
[C] Nado saranghae (나도 사랑해) = "Love you too"
[I] Joahaeyo (좋아해요) = "I like you"
[C] Joahae (좋아해) = "I like you"
[Note: Either of this can be used platonically or romantically. If someone's confessing, they'll probably say “Na neogul jinjja manyi joahae” (니 너굴 진짜 많이 좋아해) as "Jinjja" and "Manyi" puts a lot of emphasis so it translates to something like "I really, really like you"]
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Gratitudes, Apologies, and Reassurances
[F] Gamsahamnida (감사합니다) = "You have my thanks"
[I] Gomawoyo (고마워요) = "Thank you"
[C] Gomawo (고마워) = "Thanks"
[F] Joesong-hamnida (죄송합니다) = "I am deeply sorry"
[I] Mianhaeyo (미안해요) = "I am sorry"
Mianhae (미안해) = "I'm sorry"
[F] Animnida (아닙니다) = "It's nothing"
[I] Gwaenchanayo (괜찮아요) = "It's fine."
[C] Gwaenchana (괜찮아) = "It's okay"
[I & C] Anieyo (아니에요) = "It's nothing"
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[C] Bap meokja (밥 먹자) = "Let's eat"
[F, I, C] Jal meokgetseumnida (잘 먹겠습니다) = "I'll eat well" or "Thank you for the meal!"
Masisseoyo! (마싰어요!) = "It's delicious!"
Deo juseyo! (더 주세요!) = "More, please"
Masisseo (마싰어!) = "Delicious!"
Masitda! (마싰다!) = "Delicious!"
[Note: You tell someone, "Masisseo" while "Masitda" is said to your self]
[I] Han jan haeyo (한 잔 해요) = "Let's have a drink"
[C] Han jan hae (한 잔 해) = "Let's drink"
[I & C] Geonbae! (건배!) = "Cheers!"
[F, I, C] Jal meogeosseumnida (잘 먹었습니다) = "I ate well!" or "Thank you for the meal"
[Note: This is not said immediately after one if finished eating if they're eating with other people. You have to wait for others to finish before saying it together.]
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[Note: these are almost always casual, informal if we're really pushing it]
Daebak! (대박!) = "Awesome!" or "Amazing!"
Jjang! (짱!) = "You're awesome" or "You're amazing!"
[Note: The difference is that daebak is for anything you were amazed by in general, while jjang is to show you were amazed by a person. Ex: "Unnie jjang!"]
Gwiyeowo! (귀여워!) = "Cute!"
Neomu Gwiyeowo! (너무 구여워!) = "So cute!"
[Note: "Gwiyeowo" is to describe something or someone as cute while aegyo is the act of acting cute]
Jeongmal? (정말?) = "Really?"
Jinjja?! (진짜) = "Really?!"
Geurae? (그래?) = "Really?"
[Note: The difference between these three is that "jeongmal" is slightly more neutral and formal compared to "jinjja" which is a lot more reactive, though "jinjja" can also be made informal by just turning it into "jinjja-yo?" I guess jeongmal is a little more serious and sincere. Geurae is more to confirm like something someone said in a story]
Gaja! (가자!) = "Let's go!"
Hana...dul...set (하나...둘...셋) = "1...2...3"
Junbi... (준비...) = "Ready..."
Hajima! (하지마!) = "Don't do it!" or "Stop it!"
Gajima! (가지마!) = "Don't go!"
Uljima! (울지마!) = "Don't cry!"
Utjima! (웆지마) = "Don't laugh!"
Heol... (헐...) = "My god..."
Ottoke?! (어떡해?!) = "What do I do?!"
[Note: The difference between these two is that "Heol" is more to express exasperation while "Omo" is more surprised. Ottoke is meant to convey helplessness from the not so serious kind (lbreaking a toy? "Ottoke") to pretty serious (rent's dew but you don't have enough to pay it yet? "Ottoke..."]
Hokshi...(혹시) = "By any chance..."
Maldo andwae! (말도 안돼!) = "No way!" or "It doesn't make sense!"
I would add more but my brain is deep fried at this point
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Tbh, I don't know how to categorize these so I'm just going too call it Korean noises(???)
Aigo~ (아이고~) = This can mean literally anything depending on the tone. It can be affectionate, disappointment, exasperation, surprise, etc.
Aish (아이씨) = This is a noise of annoyance (you'll sometimes see this spelled as I.C. in text form)
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I don't know if this will be that useful since I assume most fanfic writers are writing in english anyways but I might as well.
Fighting! or Hwaiting! (화이팅!) = "You can do it!"
Unlike the original english meaning, "fighting" is meant to encourage someone to "keep on fighting" or to cheer them on so they'll achieve their goal. [Ex: "HUNTR/X, fighting!"]
Animation = catch all term for anything that is animated whether it's an animated film, anime, cartoon, etc.
Aura = It kinda means similar to "Vibe" so if someone says "She has a lot of aura" they mean that person has a lot of confidence and charisma.
Chicken = If someone tells you they're craving chicken, they mean fried chicken, not a dish with chicken meat. The actual korean word used to mean something that has chicken meat is typically "Dak" (닭) [Ex: dakbokkeumtang, dakbal, dakgalbi, etc.]
Concept = This is used to describe someone's presentation so for example, if someone who was challenged to do at aegyo but fails to do so, their friend might ask "What kind of concept was that?"
Hand phone = What most Koreans call cellphones.
Hot place = Some place is currently trendy or popular.
One piece = This doesn't always mean the swimsuit. It can refer to clothes that is one continuous piece like a dress.
Selca = A selfie (it's literally a short form of "Self camera").
Service = This does not mean "someone does something for you at a price", it usually refers to a free complimentary item like getting a free amenity bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, facial wash, lotion, etc. while staying at a hotel.
SNS = Social Networking Service aka Social Media.
Style = Meaning something is someone's taste [ex: "She's my style" to mean this person is their type of idea of attractive or "When there's a problem, she always wants to resolve it quickly but I want a minute to myself. I get why she does it, but it's just not my style."]
Time = This is short for "Timeout" so if you want to tap out of a game, challenge, etc. you say this. This is usually paired with making a "T" symbol with the arms (left arm at a 90 degree angle then the right arm is laid across the left hand's fingertips).
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This is a bit of useless knowledge since English has different grammatical rules but I'll just talk abut it briefly anyways.
Usually, most people don't tend to use "You" or "Neo" (너) or "Dangsin" (당신) when talking to someone older or of a higher position than them because it feels a bit rude so you'll hear it more when speaking to siblings or casual friends but even then, honorifics are still used by the younger ones more out of habit unless they're being blunt.
If Mira is talking to Rumi about her workaholic tendencies, she might say "Unnie should eat" over "You should eat" but the latter works too since they're close-age friends (6 months or less age gap) depending on how gentle or honest you want her to be.
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When someon is trying to do aegyo, besides pitching their voice higher, expect them to talk in third person, use informal register and elongate their ending words to appeal to their target's nature
"Buy Zoey chips, please~" instead of "Buy me chips"
"Unnie~ play with Zoey~" instead of "Play with me!"
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[Note: The age rating is not meant to be taken literally. I'm just using it to indicate the severity]
Babo (바보) = "Fool" or "Idiot"
Meongcheongi (멍정이) = "Airhead"
Dol-meori (돌머리) = Literally "Stone-headed" it can be equivalent to "Thick headed"
Jjajeungna! (짜증나) = "So annoying!" or "This is frustrating!"
Neo Michyeosseo? (너 미졌어?) = "Are you crazy?" [Often Rhetorical]
Kkeojyeo (꺼져) = "Get lost" or "Piss off"
Dakchyeo (닥져) = "Shut up"
Byeontae (변태) = "Pervert"
Jeongshin nagasseo? (정신 나갔어?) = "Have yu lost your mind?"
Ttokbaro-hae! (똑바로 해!) = "Do it right!" or "Get it together!"
Michinnyeon (미진년) = "Crazy Bitch"
Michinnom (미지놈) = "Crazy Jackass"
Gaesaekki (개새끼) = "Son of a bitch"
Gaemangnani (개밍나니) = "Trash"
Galle (갈레) = "Rag" [implies a person is dirty. equivalent to slut]
Wangtta (왕따) = "Loser" [Very heavy]
Dwejyeora (뒈져라) = "Drop dead"
Words that sound like curse words but aren't [Again, very useless knowledge but might as well]
Nega (네가) = It means "you" and it's sometimes pronounced as "Niga" to differentiate it from "Naega" (내가) which means "I".
Bichi (빚이) = "Light" or "Shining
Pak (빅) = It's just the surname you may know as "Park", don't know why they put an r there when ㄹ isn't present in the actual spelling but english is weird like that
Hoe (회) = It's a raw fish dish.