Lesson 2

Text Messages & SNS

Understand Korean texting slang, abbreviations, and emoji expressions.

Korean Text Abbreviations

Koreans shorten words in texts: 감사합니다 → ㄱㅅ, 괜찮아 → ㄱㅊ, 축하해 → ㅊㅋ, 사랑해 → ㅅㄹㅎ. Only consonant initials are typed. Used in very casual texting between close friends.

생일 ㅊㅋ! (= 축하!)saengil chk! (= chukha!)Happy birthday! (abbreviated)

ㄱㅅ! 잘 받았어. (= 감사!)gs! jal badasseo (= gamsa!)Thanks! I got it well. (abbreviated)

Emoticon Letters: ㅋ, ㅎ, ㅠ, ㅜ

ㅋ = laugh (more ㅋ's = funnier). ㅎ = soft/shy laugh. ㅠ or ㅜ = tears/sadness (the shape looks like tears). ㅠㅠ = crying. ^^= smiling eyes. These can be combined freely.

완전 웃기다 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋwanjeon utgida kkkkkSo funny LOL

보고 싶어 ㅠㅠbogo sipeo yooyooI miss you (crying)

ㅋㅋㅋkkkhahaha (laughter)

Examples진짜 웃겨 ㅋㅋㅋjinjja utgyeo kkkThat's really funny lol

ㅎㅎhhhehe (soft laugh)

Examples고마워 ㅎㅎgomawo hhThanks hehe

ㄱㄱgggo go (let's go)

Examples밥 먹으러 ㄱㄱbap meogeureo ggLet's go eat

ㅇㅇoo (eung eung)yeah / okay

Examples내일 만날까? — ㅇㅇnaeil mannalkka? — ooShall we meet tomorrow? — Yeah

ㄴㄴnn (no no)no no

Examples화났어? — ㄴㄴ 괜찮아hwanasseo? — nn gwaenchanaAre you mad? — No no, I'm fine

ㅠㅠyooyoocrying face (sad)

Examples시험 망했어 ㅠㅠsiheom manghaesseo yooyooI failed the exam (crying)