15 Korean phrases you hear in every K-drama, explained

The same short phrases come again and again in every drama. Learn these 15, and you will understand much more without subtitles.

Why are the phrases so short?

Most drama dialogue is in 반말 (banmal) — casual speech. Friends, couples and family members use it with each other. Casual Korean leaves out many words. So a full sentence can be only two syllables.

One short phrase can carry a whole scene, because the tone of voice gives the rest of the meaning. Remember this as you read.

Reactions and feelings

괜찮아 may be the most useful word in Korean. With a rising voice, it asks "Are you okay?" With a flat voice, it answers "I'm fine." It can also mean "No, thank you."

어떡해 is for anything that goes wrong, from a dropped phone to bad news. It is a short form of 어떻게 해 — "What do I do?" Be careful with the spelling. 어떻게 means "how", and it needs a verb after it. 어떡해 already has the verb inside, so it can stand alone.

설마 starts a sentence about something you fear is true. For example: 설마… 거짓말이야? ("Don't tell me… was it a lie?").

보고 싶어 means "I want to see (you)" word for word. It is the normal way to say "I miss you."

Short answers

됐어 means "It's done" word for word. In an argument, it means "Forget it. I don't want to talk about it." Said softly, it can mean "That's enough, thanks." Use it when someone offers you more food.

그냥 is the typical answer that explains nothing. Every drama has this short talk:

• A: 왜? ("Why?")
• B: 그냥. ("No reason.")

For 몰라, the polite form 모르겠어요 sounds softer. 몰라요 can sound a little too direct.

Daily life

You also say 잠깐만요 when you need to pass people on a full subway. It works like "Excuse me, can I pass?"

You say 다녀왔습니다 when you walk in the door at home. Even children often use this formal form with their parents, because it is a fixed greeting. The casual 다녀왔어 is common between couples or people who live together. The person at home usually answers 왔어? ("You're back?").

Instead of 잘 자, say 안녕히 주무세요 to parents, grandparents and anyone you speak politely to. 주무시다 is the respectful verb for "sleep".

Easy mistakes

• Using 반말 with strangers. Dramas use a lot of casual speech because the characters are close. With a shop worker or a coworker, add 요.
• Writing 어떻게 alone. "Oh no!" is 어떡해, not 어떻게.
• Saying 잘 자 to a grandparent. It is kind, but too casual. Use 안녕히 주무세요.

Why the tone of voice is so important

Short phrases leave a lot of space for feeling. 진짜? can sound happy, doubtful or hurt. 괜찮아 can comfort someone. It can also hide the real meaning: "I'm not okay at all."

Writers build full scenes on this difference. So these phrases are great for listening practice.

Quick check

1. Your friend falls on the stairs. You say → 괜찮아?
2. You come home and greet your parents → 다녀왔습니다
3. You say good night to a grandparent → 안녕히 주무세요