Want to confirm information or you are so surprised about what you are hearing, then it’s time to learn how to say really in Korean
You can use the word 진짜 [jin-jja] in Korean means “really” to ask a question or to answer one or to mean ‘very’.
But Koreans have different ways of expressing these attitudes depending on the person’s age or situation.
So This word can cause a lot of confusion for people as they’re tempted to translate it literally
It might even make you sound awkward if you do it too.
Here’s a complete guide on how to say “Really in Korean like a native using 진짜 [jin-jja], and 정말 [jeong-mal] in informal, polite, and formal ways, so that you’ll never make a mistake or feel sorry for yourself again.
Let’s get started
- How To Say “Really” In Korean
- Really in Korean – Informal
- 진짜 [jin-jja]
- 정말 [jeong-mal]
- Really in Korean – Polite
- 정말요 [jeong-mal-yo]
- 진짜요 [jin-jja-yo]
- Really in Korean – Formal
- The meaning of 진짜로 (jin-jja-ro) and 정말로(jeong-mal-lo)
- Real life conversation using really in Korean
- How to learn the words for really in Korean and never forget them?
- Conclusion
How To Say “Really” In Korean
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진짜 [jin-jja] and 정말 [jeong-mal] are two common ways to say “really” in Korean. These two words are mostly interchangeable depending on the situation.
You need to use different forms of 진짜 [jin-jja] and 정말 [jeong-mal] in informal, polite, and formal situations.
Here’s how to say really in Korean language in 8 different ways, including formal, casual, and polite forms.
- Really (causal)-진짜 [jin-jja]
- Really (causal)-정말 [jeong-mal]
- Really (polite)-진짜요 [jin-jja-yo]
- Really (polite)-정말요 [jeong-mal-yo]
- Really (formal)-jeongmalimnida (정말입니다)
- Really (formal)-jinjjaimnida (진짜입니다)
- Really? (formal)-jeongmalimnikka (정말입니까)
- Really? (formal)-jinjjaimnikka (진짜입니까)
Example
I really admire your work
당신의 작품을 정말 존경합니다.”
dangsine jakpumeul jongmal jongyonghamnida
I really miss him
그가 너무 그리워.
geuga neomu geuliwo.
I really want to go home.
정말 집에 가고 싶어요.
jongmal jibe gago sipoyo
I really liked and trusted her.
난 그녀를 정말 좋아했고 믿었다.
This city is really huge
이 도시는 정말 거대합니다.
It really hurts.
정말 아파요.
jongmal apayo
This test is really tough.
이번 시험은 정말 어려워요.
ibon sihomeun jongmal oryowoyo
The food is really delicious.
음식은 정말 맛있어요.”
eumsigeun jongmal madissoyo
When to use 진짜 [jin-jja] and 정말 [jeong-mal]
Koreans use the word really in Korean for different situations such as
When you are surprised to hear something unbelievable and want to confirm it, you can say something like 진짜[jin-jja],정말 [jeong-mal]
To express that something is real or it’s true/authentic in Korean, you can say 진짜 [jin-jja],정말 [jeong-mal],진짜야[jinjjaya],정말이야[jongmariya]
To modify adjectives like saying very or really in Korean
Example
The weather is really cold
날씨가 정말 춥다.
nalssiga jongmal chuptta
When you are annoyed about something/ someone’s behavior and say for god sake to stop it, you can say 진짜 [jin-jja],정말 [jeong-mal] like this examples.
For god sake , don’t say it
제발, 말하지 마.jebal malhaji ma
For god sake , don’t cook it like that
제발, 그렇게 요리하지 마세요.
jebal geuroke yorihaji maseyo
Difference between 진짜 [jin-jja] and 정말 [jeong-mal]
These two words are mostly interchangeable.
The only difference between 진짜 [jin-jja] and 정말 [jeong-mal] is that 진짜 is commonly used in spoken language to mean “real” and “genuine” and 정말 is more commonly used in written language and means “truth.”
Furthermore, both of these words can be used as either a noun or an adverb.
Really in Korean – Informal
진짜 and 정말 do not have any formal endings.
You can use them in both formal and informal situations, such as when conversing with close friends and people younger than you.
진짜 [jin-jja]
진짜 [jin-jja] is the most common and informal way to say really in Korean and literally means “real/ genuine”, as opposed to its antonym “fake.”
You can use this when you are talking with close people like your friends, family and people younger than you.
The meaning of 진짜 [jin-jja] is basically similar to ‘really’ or ‘real’ in English.
진짜 [jin-jja] is one of the more popular Korean words among learners of the language.
In fact, you must have heard this in many K-dramas.
You can also use it can be used as a question, and mean the same.
Just raise the pitch of your voice and say 진짜 [jin-jja]? When you try to ask someone surprisedly.
Example
Really?
진짜? [jin-jja]
Ah! Really/Is that so/Forreal?
오! –진짜? (o! – jin-jja)
Here are some examples of how you can use it in sentences.
Example
Are those real flowers?
저 꽃들은 진짜 꽃이니?
This book is really interesting.
이 책 진짜 재밌어. (i chaek jin-jja jae-mi-sseo)
That salesman is a real crook.
저 세일즈맨은 진짜 사기꾼이야
I’ve really messed up this time.
내가 이번에는 진짜 다 망쳐 버렸어
I’m really sorry.
진짜 미안해. (jin-jja mi-an-hae)
I’m not kidding you. It does work.
농담이 아냐. 진짜 효과가 있다니까.
What’s for lunch? I’m absolutely ravenous.
점심은 뭐예요? 저 진짜 배가 고파 죽겠어요.
She’s not really sick—she’s just faking it.
그녀는 진짜 아픈 게 아냐. 그냥 꾀병을 부리는 거야.
Are you sure it’s the real thing, not just infatuation?
당신 이게 한때의 열광이 아니라 진짜 사랑임을 확신하나요?
I’ve never really enjoyed Christmas.
난 크리스마스가 진짜 즐거웠던 적이 한 번도 없어.
정말 [jeong-mal]
정말 [jeong-mal] is the most common way to say really in Korean which literally means the English word “truth”, as opposed to “lie”.
You can use this when you are talking with close people like your friends, family, and people younger than you.
정말 [jeong-mal] is one of the more popular Korean words that, most likely, you must have heard in many K-dramas.
You can also use it can be used as a question, and mean the same. Just raise the pitch of your voice and say 정말? [jeong-mal] when you trying to ask someone surprisedly.
Example
Really?
정말? [jeong-mal]
Ah! Really/Is that so/Forreal?
오! –정말? (o! – jin-jja)
Let’s see some real life examples
He’s a real nice guy.
그는 정말 좋은 사람이야.
He’s pretty cute.
정말 귀여워요.
My boss is a real ogre.
우리 사장은 정말 괴물이야.
He looks a real idiot.
그는 정말 바보 같다.
Are you sure you don’t mind?
정말 괜찮아요?
It’s really declicious!
정말 맛있어!
Thank you very much for the flowers.
꽃 정말 고마워요
The work is so boring. I
그 일은 정말 지겹다.
Wow! You look terrific!
우아! 당신 정말 멋져!
This soup tastes awful.
이 국은 정말 맛이 없네요
Are you kidding me? I love junk food and fast food.
정말 그렇게 생각하니? 난 정크 푸드하고 패스트 푸드 정말 좋아해.
You did really well!
정말 잘했어!
Really in Korean – Polite
If want to say sentences such as “I’m serious” or “Really” in Korean but you cannot sound rude, you can use jinjjayo (진짜요) and jeongmalyo (정말요) .
To do so, however, you need to add the syllable yo (요) at the end of informal word, like this.
You can use it with older people, seniors, bosses, teachers, etc.
You can also turn these phrases into questions by raising the tone at the end.
정말요 [jeong-mal-yo]
정말요 [jeong-mal-yo] is the common polite way to say really in Korean. similar to 진짜요 [jin-jja-yo]. As you can see, the polite ending 요 attached to the end.
So you can use it with older people, seniors, bosses, and teachers, and you will sound polite and respectful.
정말요 can be used as a word on its own, just like in this example.
Really?
정말요? (jin-jja-yo)
Oh my God. Really?
세상에. 정말요? (se-sang-e. jin-jja-yo)
Ah! Really/Is that so/Forreal?
오! –정말요? (o! – jin-jja-yo)
진짜요 [jin-jja-yo]
정말요 [jeong-mal-yo] is the common polite way to say really in Korean. similar to 진짜요 [jin-jja-yo]. As you can see, the polite ending 요 attached to the end.
So you can use it with older people, seniors, bosses, and teachers, and you will sound polite and respectful.
정말요 can be used as a word on its own, just like in this example.
Ah, really?
아~ 진짜요? (a~ jin-jja-yo)
Oh my God. Really?
세상에. 진짜요? (se-sang-e. jin-jja-yo)
Really in Korean – Formal
jeongmalimnida (정말입니다) and jinjjaimnida (진짜입니다) are the formal way to say really in Korean but Korean hardly use it. more common to use the polite form.
you will probably only ever hear these words in formal settings like a public speech, business meetings, the military, etc.
You can also turn these phrases into questions by changing the ending 입니다 into 입니까 and say like jeongmalimnikka (정말입니까) or jinjjaimnikka (진짜입니까)
Korean use This word is mostly used in formal situations like in an interview or presentation.
The meaning of 진짜로 (jin-jja-ro) and 정말로(jeong-mal-lo)
If you want to use the word really as an adverb, you will need to add the particle ro (로) at the end of both, like jinjjaro (진짜로) or jeongmallo (정말로).
This particle can be omitted or added without any change in meaning.
정말로 is only used as an adverb. While jinjjaro (진짜로) can use as both noun as well as an adverb.
How to use jinjjaro (진짜로) in Korean sentence.
You can use jinjjaro (진짜로) as both a verb and noun.
Can you really cook it?
진짜로 요리할 수 있어요?
It’s really true.
내 말이 진짜로야.
He really worries about you.
그는 정말로 당신을 걱정해요.
I honestly can’t remember a thing about last night.
난 진짜로 어젯밤에 대해서는 아무것도 기억이 안 나.
I can’t believe I am really going to meet the princess.
내가 진짜로 공주를 만나게 될 것이라고 믿을 수가 없다.
How to use jeongmallo (정말로) in Korean sentences.
Are you really hungry?
정말로 배고프세요?
jongmalro baegopeuseyo
I really like you a lot.
너를 정말로 많이 좋아해.
noreul jongmalro mani joahae
Real life conversation using really in Korean
A: I bought a jacket
자켓을 샀어요.
jakeseul sassoyo
B: Really.
정말?(jongmal)
B: Is your jacket real leather?
네 재킷 진짜 가죽이니?
A: Yes
네.ne
B: I really like it. Can I wear it?
정말 좋아해요. 입어도 돼요?
jongmal joahaeyo ibodo dwaeyo
A: Yes, ofcourse
네, 그럼요.
ne geuromnyo
How to learn the words for really in Korean and never forget them?
I know saying really is a bit confusing and in so many ways makes it even harder to remember
but with practice and time, you can be as good as native Korean speakers.
After all, when it comes to fluency, practice is the key.
here’s how i did it.
I hope these resources will help you master the word “Really” in Korean language in no time.
Anki Isn’t The Only Game In Town.
Did you know you can a mini-series and master how to say Really in the Korean language?
Well, what could be better than that?
Here is how Koreans do it all the time (now you can do it too!!!)
Use Flashcard And Test
Maybe drama is not your thing. What about flashcards?
I know it’s an old thing(you might be using Anki too)
But When it comes to mastering Korean vocabulary, you will never regret using these fellas.
Here is list
https://quizlet.com/514484354/13-ways-to-say-very-in-Korean-flash-cards/
Conclusion
Great job. You finally know how to say really in Korean.
From now on, you can say “seriously”, “really?”, and “is it real ” in Korean with a lot more confidence.
You only have to think about the meaning of what you’re trying to convey and boom!
You’ll sound more native than ever.
Well, it’s time for you to apply it in real life and improve your pronunciation.
So go out and next time you got a chance to address your really in Korean language , just use any of these as much as you can.
Koreans will understand you even if you got it wrong.
Looking for more Korean phrases and when to use them you can check out our other articles on this topic.
I promise you’ll always learn something new!
Here are some recommended lessons:
- A Complete Guide to say Good Night In Korean
- The Common Ways To Say No In Korean
- Ready To Learn Korean ways to say Thank You In Korean?
- How To Say Sorry In Korean
- How To Say Goodbye In Korean
- How Korean Celebrate New Year And Wish Happy New Year In Korean
- How to say happy birthday in Korean
How did you say “really” in Korean? Did you use some other words that we forgot to mention here? Share your special experience with us in the comment below.
We can’t wait to hear from you
Thank you for reading this post. I hope to see you at the next Korean lesson.
