농담이야
nongdam-iya
In Korean, the phrase for "just kidding" is 농담이야 (nongdam-iya).
농담이야 is the standard way to express that you were not being serious or that you were only making a joke. While it literally translates to "It is a joke", it functions as the equivalent of the English expression "I'm just kidding".
Meaning: I wasn’t serious, it was only a joke (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 농담 means "joke".
Which one should you use?
If you wish to say "I was kidding" in the past tense, you should use 농담이었어 in informal settings or 농담이었어요 in polite settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 농담이야 is the informal version of the phrase. For polite speech, you can use the form 농담이에요. To shift the phrase into the past tense, use 농담이었어 (informal) or 농담이었어요 (polite).
How do you pronounce it?
nongdam-iya
Did you know?
- If a joke is particularly bad or poorly received, a Korean speaker might use the word 썰렁하다 to describe the 'cold' or 'empty' atmosphere that follows the failed joke.
- The word 농담 is composed of the Chinese characters meaning 'laugh' and 'talk', essentially describing 'laughter-talk'.
- To signal a joke in digital chat, Koreans often use the consonant ㅋ or ㅎ. This represents the sound of laughter and functions as a visual 'just kidding' marker.
Examples in context
- 농담이야, 놀라지 마.nongdam-iya, nollaji ma.I'm just kidding, don't be startled.
- 진심 아니야, 농담이야.jinsim aniya, nongdam-iya.I'm not serious, it's just a joke.
- 그냥 농담이야, 기분 나쁘게 듣지 마.geunyang nongdam-iya, gibun nappeuge deutji ma.It's just a joke, don't take it personally.
Example conversation
Dohyun tells Seoyeon something surprising, then clarifies it was a joke.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연아, 나 사실 너 정말 좋아해.Seoyeon-ah, na sasil neo jeongmal joahae.Seoyeon, actually, I really like you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon뭐? 지금 진심이야?Mwo? Jigeum jinsim-iya?What? Are you serious right now?
- 도현 Do-hyeon아니, 농담이야! 놀랐지?Ani, nongdam-iya! Nollatji?No, I'm just kidding! Were you surprised?
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말, 깜짝 놀랐잖아!Jeongmal, kkamjjak nollatjana!Seriously, you scared me!
