How to say "Literally" in Korean
The natural way Koreans say "Literally" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.
진짜
jinjja
Literally: Real.
When to use it
English uses literally as an intensifier that usually is not literal. Korean uses 진짜 in exactly the same loose way, and it goes in the same place in the sentence.
Polite form
- 진짜요jinjjayoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 완전wanjeon= TotallyStronger. Literally complete. Young speakers use it constantly.
- 말 그대로mal geudaero= Literally, in the actual senseWhen you really do mean literally. Rare in speech, which tells you how little anyone means it.
In a sentence
- 진짜 트레이닝복 같다.jinjja teureiningbok gatda.They literally feel like sweatpants.
- 완전 트레이닝복 같아요.wanjeon teureiningbok gatayo.They totally feel like sweatpants.
Practise this one. These phrases are in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes.
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