얌마
yamma
The Korean way to say 'dude' is 얌마 (yamma).
얌마 is a colloquial term for 'man' or 'dude'. It is typically used between close male friends or by an older person addressing a younger person.
Meaning: colloquial: man (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
얌마 is highly informal. Depending on the tone used, it can sound aggressive or condescending.
How do you pronounce it?
yamma
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 얌마 with strangers, superiors or people older than you, as it is considered rude or confrontational.
Did you know?
- While it functions like 'dude' in English, saying 얌마 to a stranger in Korea is more likely to trigger a physical confrontation than a simple misunderstanding.
- The term 얌마 is actually a contracted form of the expression 이놈아, which literally translates to 'you fellow' or 'you brat'.
- While 얌마 is usually for men, you will often hear it used by women in Korean dramas when they are scolding a male friend or a younger brother.
Examples in context
- 친구야, 뭐 해?Dude, what are you doing?
- 얌마, 정신 차려!yam-ma, jeong-sin cha-ryeo!Dude, wake up!
- 얌마, 그건 내 거야.yam-ma, geu-geon nae geo-ya.Dude, that is mine.
- 얌마, 빨리 와!yam-ma, ppal-li wa!Dude, come quickly!
Example conversation
Dohyun is teasing Seoyeon about her messy desk.
- 도현 Do-hyeon얌마, 책상이 이게 뭐야?Yamma, chaeksangi ige mwoya?Dude, what is this desk?
- 서연 Seo-yeon신경 꺼, 도현아.Singyeong kkeo, Dohyuna.Mind your own business, Dohyun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon너무 더러워서 말이야.Neomu deoreowoseo mariya.I'm just saying it's too dirty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그냥 가라니까!Geunyang garanikka!I told you to just go!
