파이팅
paiting[pʰa̠itʰiŋ]
The English phrase "add oil" is expressed in Korean as 파이팅 (paiting).
파이팅 is a colloquial exclamation used to encourage someone to keep going or to wish them luck.
How do you pronounce it?
paiting
When do people say it?
The phrase is a loanword from English 'fighting' used as an exclamation of encouragement. In Korea, this is a common way to cheer someone on, whereas in English 'fighting' usually implies physical combat.
Did you know?
- The usage of 파이팅 is closely related to the Japanese loanword ファイト 'faito', which also transforms 'fight' into a cheer.
- The expression is often accompanied by a physical gesture, such as pumping a clenched fist in the air. This visual cue reinforces the energetic and supportive spirit of the phrase.
- While 'fighting' is a loanword, Koreans often write it as 화이팅 (hwaiting) instead of 파이팅 (paiting) in casual text messages. Both are widely understood, but the 'h' version is extremely common in daily digital communication.
Examples in context
- 시험 잘 보세요. 파이팅!si-heom jal bo-se-yo. pa-i-ting!Good luck on your exam. Fighting!
- 오늘 하루도 파이팅하세요!o-neul ha-ru-do pa-i-ting-ha-se-yo!Good luck with your day today!
- 우리 모두 파이팅하자!u-ri mo-du pa-i-ting-ha-ja!Let's all do our best!
Example conversation
Minji is preparing for an important presentation at work.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨, 발표 준비는 잘 되어가요?Min-ji ssi, bal-pyo jun-bi-neun jal doe-eo-ga-yo?Minji, is the presentation preparation going well?
- 민지 Min-ji조금 떨리지만 열심히 해보려고요.jo-geum tteol-li-ji-man yeol-sim-hi hae-bo-ryeo-go-yo.I'm a little nervous, but I'll try my best.
- 도현 Do-hyeon할 수 있어요. 파이팅!hal su iss-eo-yo. pa-i-ting!You can do it. Fighting!
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요, 도현 씨!go-ma-wo-yo, Do-hyeon ssi!Thank you, Dohyun!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 파이팅, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 파이팅, CC BY-SA 4.0.
