Learn How to Text Like a Native with Common Phrases, Slang, and Etiquette in Korean (카톡, 문자)

Whether you’re chatting on KakaoTalk (카카오톡) or sending a quick text message (문자), texting is a major part of daily communication in Korea. This guide covers essential texting vocabulary, abbreviations, and expressions so you can message with ease—and sound natural while doing it.

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📝 Must-Know Vocabulary for Texting in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
문자	mun-ja	Text message
카톡	ka-tok	KakaoTalk (messaging app)
메세지	me-se-ji	Message
대화	dae-hwa	Conversation
이모티콘	i-mo-ti-kon	Emoticon
답장	dap-jang	Reply
읽씹	ilk-ssip	Seen but no reply (read-and-ignore)
쪽지	jjok-ji	Note/message (often in apps or forums)
연락하다	yeon-rak-ha-da	To contact
보내다	bo-nae-da	To send
받다	bat-da	To receive
저장하다	jeo-jang-ha-da	To save (contact/message)

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🔤 Common Korean Texting Abbreviations & Slang

Korean	Meaning	English Equivalent
ㅋㅋㅋ / ㅎㅎㅎ	Laughter	haha / lol
ㄱㅅ	감사합니다	Thanks / TY
ㅈㅅ	죄송합니다	Sorry
ㅇㅇ	응응 / 네	Yeah / Okay
ㄴㄴ	아니요 / No	Nope
ㅁㅊ	미쳤어	Crazy / OMG
ㅊㅋ	축하해	Congrats
ㅠㅠ / ㅜㅜ	Crying emoticon	😭 / Sad
ㄷㄷ	덜덜 (nervous/shaking)	Shaking / Yikes
ㅇㅈ	인정	Agreed / True that
ㄱㄱ	고고 / Let’s go	Let’s go! / Go go!
ㅂㅂ	바이바이	Bye

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🗣️ Useful Texting Phrases in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
잘 지냈어?	jal ji-naess-eo?	How have you been?
지금 바빠?	ji-geum ba-ppa?	Are you busy right now?
뭐 하고 있어?	mwo ha-go iss-eo?	What are you doing?
나중에 연락할게.	na-jung-e yeon-rak-hal-ge.	I’ll contact you later.
답장 늦어서 미안해.	dap-jang neu-jeo-seo mi-an-hae.	Sorry for the late reply.
금방 갈게.	geum-bang gal-ge.	I’ll be there soon.
고마워~	go-ma-wo~	Thanks~
오늘 약속 있어?	o-neul yak-sok iss-eo?	Do you have plans today?
카톡 확인해 줘.	ka-tok hwa-gin-hae jwo.	Check KakaoTalk.
전화해도 돼?	jeon-hwa-hae-do dwae?	Can I call you?

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📱 Cultural Tips for Texting in Korean

💬 Use Politeness Based on Relationship

• With friends, casual text (반말) is fine.
• With seniors, teachers, or colleagues, use 존댓말 (formal speech) like:
  • 연락드릴게요. (I’ll contact you.)
  • 확인 부탁드립니다. (Please confirm.)

📵 “읽씹” = Bad Etiquette

• 읽씹 (read but ignore) can hurt feelings—respond even with a short “ㅇㅇ” or “잠시 후 답장할게요!”

🔔 KakaoTalk is King

• Almost everyone in Korea uses 카카오톡, even more than SMS or iMessage.
• Join group chats (단톡방) for school, work, and events.

🖼️ Stickers & Emoticons

• Stickers (스티커) and emoticons (이모티콘) help show emotion and tone—use them to soften your message or add friendliness.

📅 Texting is Used for Planning

• People often text instead of calling to make plans:
  • “내일 시간 돼?” (Are you free tomorrow?)
  • “6시에 만날까?” (Shall we meet at 6?)

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📚 Bonus Texting Terms by Category

Planning & Scheduling

Korean	Pronunciation	English
약속	yak-sok	Appointment / Plan
시간 있어요?	si-gan iss-eo-yo?	Do you have time?
만날까?	man-nal-kka?	Want to meet?

Expressing Emotion

Korean	Pronunciation	English
대박	dae-bak	Awesome / No way!
헐	heol	OMG / What?!
짱이야	jjang-i-ya	You’re the best / Awesome
힘내!	him-nae!	Cheer up!

Ending Conversations

Korean	Pronunciation	English
잘 자~	jal ja~	Good night~
또 연락하자~	tto yeon-rak-ha-ja~	Let’s talk again~
좋은 하루 보내~	jo-eun ha-ru bo-nae~	Have a good day~

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🎯 Texting Quiz

1. What does “ㅋㅋㅋ” mean in Korean texting?
2. How do you say “Can I call you?” in Korean?
3. Translate: “Sorry for the late reply.”

💬 Comment your answers and test your Korean texting skills!

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📚 Want to Learn More?

✔️ Making appointments
✔️ Reparing clothes and shoes

✔️ Visiting a doctor

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