놀다
nolda[ˈno̞(ː)ɭda̠]
To say hang out in Korean, meaning to spend time with friends, use 놀다 (nolda).
놀다 literally means to play. Adults use it for hanging out and having fun together, and it is also the main word for children playing with toys or games. 놀러 가다 is a very common way to say you are going somewhere to have fun.
Meaning: to socialize (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
놀다 is the dictionary form. The polite form 놀아요 is used with people you are not close with or who are older. Among close friends, 놀자 means let's hang out.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as nolda.
Did you know?
- While 놀다 means 'hang out', it can also mean 'to be unemployed' or 'to be idle' when used in certain contexts. If someone says they are 놀고 있다 in a professional context, they aren't playing games, but are currently without a job.
- The word 놀다 can be used to describe a musician who is playing an instrument with great skill and flair. In this context, it implies the performer is 'playing' the music effortlessly, as if it were a game.
- If you are 'hanging out' with a romantic partner, you might use 데이트하다 'to date' instead of 놀다. Using 놀다 with a significant other can make the relationship sound more like a platonic friendship.
Examples in context
- 어디 놀러 가자.Let's go hang out somewhere.Here 놀러 가자 means let's go out to have fun, and 어디 adds somewhere.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 놀다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
