Have you ever heard of words like “얼죽아”, “감다살”, “중꺾마”, “느좋” or “갓생”? These are all abbreviations and new words (신조어) that are extremely popular in Korea, especially among young people and on social media. If you are learning Korean or love Korean culture, don’t miss these interesting phrases!
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1. Iced Americano – “Even if I freeze to death, I must drink iced Americano”
The phrase “얼죽아” is an abbreviation of the phrase “얼어 죽어도 아이스 아메리카노”, which means “even if I freeze to death, I still have to drink iced Americano”. This phrase represents the absolute love of many Koreans for iced Americano, regardless of the weather. In the winter, when someone still orders an iced Americano, they can call themselves “얼죽아”.
2. It feels great – “It feels great”
“감다살” is an abbreviation of “감 다 살았네”, a compliment that someone has a very good “feel” or “style”, often used when talking about someone who performed excellently. The word originated from live broadcasts, then became popular in YouTube comments or social media. For example: “오늘 헤메코 감다살이네” (Your hair, makeup, and outfit were amazing today!).
3. 중꺾마 – “The important thing is not to lose heart”
“중꺾마” is an abbreviation of “중요한 건 꺾이지 않는 마음” – which means “The important thing is the will not to break”. This saying became famous after an interview by professional gamer Kim Hyuk Gyu during the League of Legends World Championship (롤드컵). Later, the phrase spread further thanks to the success of the Korean team at the 2022 World Cup, becoming an inspirational saying for many people.
4. 느좋 – “It feels great!”
“느좋” is an abbreviation of “느낌 좋다”, which means “it feels so good”. You can use this phrase when you see a beautiful place, a unique concept or an impressive image. For example: “느좋 카페 발견!” (I discovered a super chill cafe!) However, it should be noted that this word sounds quite slang or vulgar when pronounced, so it should only be used in online comments, not in everyday communication.
5. 갓생 – “Exemplary lifestyle, diligent like a god”
“갓생” is a combination of the words “갓” (God) and “생” (life), describing a diligent, disciplined, and goal-oriented lifestyle. For example, waking up early to exercise, studying hard, and not wasting time. This phrase is used to admire people who live disciplined, positive lives.
Conclude
Acronyms and new words not only help you understand the language better, but they are also the key to approaching Korean pop culture in a more intimate and vivid way. So what about you? Are you a “얼죽아”? Or are you living a “갓생” life? Share your experiences in the comments!
For more information about studying and working in Korea, please contact:
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