농담이야
nongdam-iya
The English phrase 'jk' can be translated into Korean as 농담이야 (nongdam-iya).
This phrase is used to indicate that a previous statement was a joke, functioning as an abbreviation for 'just kidding'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 농담 means 'joke'.
Which one should you use?
While 농담이야 literally translates to 'It is a joke', it is the standard way to say 'I'm just kidding' in Korean.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the tense to the past tense to say 'I was just kidding' in an informal way, use 농담이었어. The polite version of 농담이야 is 농담이에요.
How do you pronounce it?
nongdam-iya
Did you know?
- If a joke is particularly bad or 'dry', a Korean speaker might call it a 썰렁한 농담, which literally means a 'chilly joke'.
- The word 농담 (nongdam) is often paired with the verb 하다 (hada, to do), meaning that Koreans 'do' a joke rather than 'tell' one.
- In digital Korean, people often replace the phrase 농담이야 with the consonant ㅋ or ㅋㅋ, which represents the sound of laughter.
Examples in context
- 농담이야, 놀라지 마.nongdam-iya, nollaji ma.I'm just kidding, don't be surprised.
- 그거 농담이야.geugeo nongdam-iya.That was just a joke.
- 진짜야? 아니, 농담이야.jinjjaya? ani, nongdam-iya.Really? No, I'm just kidding.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a difficult exam.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이번 시험 진짜 어려울 거야.ibeon siheom jinja eoryeoul geoya.This exam is going to be really hard.
- 민지 Min-ji정말? 너무 걱정돼.jeongmal? neomu geokjeongdwae.Really? I'm so worried.
- 도현 Do-hyeon농담이야, 너무 겁먹지 마.nongdam-iya, neomu geommeokji ma.I'm just kidding, don't be too scared.
- 민지 Min-ji도현아, 진짜 깜짝 놀랐잖아!Dohyeon-a, jinja kkamjjak nollatjan-a!Dohyeon, you really startled me!
