Learn Must-Know Words, Slang, and Emoji Expressions to Use on Korean Social Media
From Instagram and YouTube to KakaoStory and Threads, social media is a huge part of everyday life in Korea. Whether you’re posting a selfie, replying to a comment, or reacting with an emoji, this guide will help you sound natural and in-the-know with Korean SNS (μμ€μμμ€) slang, expressions, and etiquette.
π¬ Must-Know Social Media Vocabulary in Korean
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| SNS / μμ€μμμ€ | eseu-en-e-seu | Social Media |
| μμ λ―Έλμ΄ | so-syeol-mi-di-eo | Social Media (formal) |
| μΈμ€νκ·Έλ¨ | in-seu-ta-geu-raem | |
| μ νλΈ | yu-tyu-beu | YouTube |
| νμ΄μ€λΆ | pe-i-seu-buk | |
| ν±ν‘ | tik-tok | TikTok |
| νλ‘μ° | pal-lo-u | Follow |
| μ’μμ | jo-a-yo | Like |
| λκΈ | dae-kkeul | Comment |
| 곡μ | gong-yu | Share |
| νΌλ | pi-deu | Feed |
| νλ‘ν | peu-ro-pil | Profile |
| κ³μ | gye-jeong | Account |
| κ²μλ¬Ό | ge-si-mul | Post |
| ν΄μνκ·Έ | hae-si-tae-geu | Hashtag |
| νκ·Ένλ€ | tae-geu-ha-da | To tag |
| μ€ν 리 | seu-to-ri | Story (IG Story) |
| λ¦¬κ·Έλ¨ | ri-geu-raem | Regram |
| μ’μμ λλ¬μ£ΌμΈμ | jo-a-yo nul-leo-ju-se-yo | Please like this post |
π Popular Korean Social Media Slang & Hashtag Phrases
| Korean | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| μΈμμ· | in-saeng-syat | βBest shot of my lifeβ |
| μΈμ¦μ· | in-jeung-syat | Proof shot / photo evidence |
| λ¨Ήμ€νκ·Έλ¨ | meok-seu-ta-geu-raem | Food + Instagram |
| μ μΉ΄ | sel-ka | Selfie |
| λ°μΌλ¦¬λ£© | de-il-li-luk | Daily outfit/look |
| κΎΈμκΎΈ | kku-an-kku | Effortlessly stylish look |
| μνν | so-hwak-haeng | Small but certain happiness |
| μ€λμκΈ°λ‘ | o-neul-ui gi-rok | Todayβs moment/memory |
| μ§μ½ | jip-kok | Staying at home (homebody) |
| μ’μμ κΎΉ! | jo-a-yo kkuuk! | βPlease press like!β |
π£οΈ Common Korean Social Media Captions & Expressions
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| μ€λλ νλ΄μΈμ! | o-neul-do him-nae-se-yo! | Stay strong today! |
| λ§μκ² μ λ¨Ήμμ΅λλ€ π | ma-sit-ge jal meok-eoss-seum-ni-da | I enjoyed the meal (with a smile) |
| λ무 μμλ€~ β€οΈ | neo-mu ye-ppeu-da | So pretty~ β€οΈ |
| μ’μ ν루 보λ΄μ! | jo-eun ha-ru bo-nae-yo! | Have a great day! |
| λκΈ λ¬μμ£ΌμΈμ! | dae-kkeul dal-a-ju-se-yo | Please leave a comment! |
| λ€μμ λ μ¬κ²μ~ | da-eum-e tto ol-ge-yo | Iβll be back again~ |
| κ°μ΄ κ°κ³ μΆμ κ³³ π | gat-i ga-go si-peun got | A place I want to go with someone π |
| κ°μ±μ· πΈ | gam-seong-syat | Emotional/aesthetic shot πΈ |
π Popular Emojis & Emoji Expressions in Korean
Koreans often use emojis to add nuance, tone, or cuteness to a post or message. Some common emoji combinations have specific meanings.
| Emoji Combo | Meaning | Korean Expression |
|---|---|---|
| ππ | Thank you / Sorry politely | κ°μ¬ν©λλ€ / λ―Έμν΄μ |
| ππ | Heartbreak or sadness | λ무 μ¬νΌμ |
| ππ | Embarrassed but laughing | μ°½νΌνμ§λ§ μ겨μ |
| ππ₯ | Cool / Stylish / On fire | λ©μ Έμ / ν«ν΄μ |
| πβ¨ | Love / Cute / Pretty | μλ»μ / κ·μ¬μμ |
| π€£π€£ | Laughing out loud | νΉ μμμ΄μ |
| π₯Ήβ€οΈ | Touched / Grateful | κ°λμ΄μμ |
| ππ¬ | Flirty / Messaging | λ©μμ§ μ£ΌμΈμ π |
KakaoTalk also has unique animated stickers (μμ§μ΄λ μ΄λͺ¨ν°μ½) that are widely used instead of plain emojis.
π Social Media Culture & Etiquette in Korea
π· 1. βProof shotsβ are everything
- When eating out, visiting a cafe, or traveling, μΈμ¦μ· (proof pics) are a must. Many use the phrase βμΈμ¦μ·μ νμ!β
π§ββοΈ 2. Be polite with your audience
- Captions often include βκ°μ¬ν©λλ€,β βμ’μμ λλ¬μ£ΌμΈμ,β or respectful endings like β-μ.β
π¨ 3. Aesthetic posts matter
- Filters, mood lighting, and κ°μ±μ· are big. People admire well-edited, visually calm or cute content.
π 4. Reposting is common (but give credit)
- When regramming or sharing, write βμΆμ²: @original_accountβ (source: @).
π― Quick Quiz
- What does #μνν mean?
- How do you say βPlease press likeβ in Korean?
- What does κΎΈμκΎΈ refer to?
π¬ Comment your answers and letβs test your Korean SNS knowledge!
π Want to Learn More?
βοΈ Texting vocabulary
βοΈ Reparing clothes and shoes
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