화이팅
hwaiting[ɸwa̠itʰiŋ]
In Korean, "keep fighting" is expressed as 화이팅 (hwaiting).
화이팅 is used as a cheer or an expression of encouragement to motivate oneself or others.
Which one should you use?
While 화이팅 is a general cheer, you may also use 힘내세요 or 힘내 specifically to mean "keep fighting". If the intent is to tell someone to work hard or do their best, you should use 열심히 하세요 or 열심히 해.
How do you pronounce it?
hwaiting
When do people say it?
Although 화이팅 is a loanword derived from the English word "fighting", it has been repurposed in Korean culture to mean "good luck" or "you can do it" rather than referring to physical combat.
Did you know?
- Even though it originates from English, the version used in Korea shares a linguistic lineage with the Japanese word ファイト (faito), showing how the concept of 'fighting' traveled through East Asia as a cheer.
- Some people spell the word as 파이팅 ('paiting') to more accurately reflect the English 'f' sound, as Korean lacks a native 'f' consonant.
- The phrase 화이팅 is often accompanied by a specific gesture, such as pumping a closed fist in the air, to signal the encouragement visually.
Examples in context
- 시험이 어려워도 힘내세요.Even if the exam is tough, keep fighting.
- 오늘 힘들었지? 그래도 힘내!Today was tough, right? But keep fighting!
- 축구 경기는 어려울 수 있어도 열심히 해!Soccer matches can be tough, but give it your all!
- 시험 잘 봐요, 화이팅!si-heom jal bwa-yo, hwa-i-ting!Good luck on your exam, keep fighting!
- 오늘도 다들 화이팅하세요.o-neul-do da-deul hwa-i-ting-ha-se-yo.Everyone, keep fighting today too.
- 포기하지 말고 화이팅!po-gi-ha-ji mal-go hwa-i-ting!Don't give up, keep fighting!
Example conversation
Jihoon is cheering for Minji before her job interview.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 면접 잘 보고 와요.Min-ji ssi, myeon-jeop jal bo-go wa-yo.Minji, do well on your interview.
- 민지 Min-ji감사해요, 지훈 씨.gam-sa-hae-yo, Ji-hun ssi.Thank you, Jihoon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun할 수 있어요, 화이팅!hal su is-seo-yo, hwa-i-ting!You can do it, keep fighting!
- 민지 Min-ji네, 꼭 해낼게요!ne, kkok hae-nael-ge-yo!Yes, I will definitely make it happen!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 화이팅, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 화이팅, CC BY-SA 4.0.
