Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 헛소리 | heotsori | [hʌ̹ss͈o̞ɾi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 무의미 | muuimi | [muɰimi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 어리석은 소리 | eoriseogeun sori | |
| 개소리 | gaesori | [ˈkɛ(ː)sʰo̞ɾi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈke̞(ː)sʰo̞ɾi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 난센스 | nansenseu | [na̠ns͈e̞ns͈ɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term for nonsense varies depending on whether you are describing a person's spoken words, an abstract concept or using slang.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 헛소리 is composed of 헛, meaning empty or vain and 소리, meaning sound or speech. Similarly, the phrase 어리석은 소리 literally translates to 'foolish sound/speech', where 어리석은 means 'foolish'.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the context: 무의미 is a more formal, abstract noun used to describe the concept of 'meaninglessness'. While 헛소리 means nonsense, 개소리 is a much more vulgar and aggressive way to say 'bullshit' or 'nonsense' by using the word for dog (개). Finally, 난센스 is a direct phonetic loanword from English and is often used in academic, artistic or specific conceptual contexts (like 'nonsense poetry').
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
무의미하다 is a formal expression used to describe something as meaningless or pointless. You can use the informal phrase 헛소리 하지 마 to tell someone 'don't talk nonsense'. 개소리 is an informal term for nonsense or rubbish.
How do you pronounce it?
heotsori
Did you know?
- While 난센스 is a loanword from 'nonsense', it is frequently used in Korea to describe a specific genre of 'nonsense quizzes' that rely on puns and surreal logic.
- The prefix 헛 in 헛소리 does not just mean 'nonsense' but is used in many Korean words to describe an action performed in vain or a fake version of something.
- In Korean culture, accusing someone of 헛소리 can range from a playful tease between friends to a serious insult depending entirely on the level of politeness used in the verb ending.
Examples in context
- 그 생각은 정말로 무의미해요.That thought is truly nonsense.
- 친구야, 그런 건 헛소리 하지 마!Hey, friend, don't talk nonsense like that!
- 그건 완전 헛소리예요.geugeon wanjeon heotsori-yeyo.That is complete nonsense.
- 그만 헛소리 좀 해.geuman heotsori jom hae.Stop talking nonsense.
- 그 사람이 헛소리를 했어요.geu sarami heotsori-reul haesseoyo.That person said some nonsense.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are discussing a rumor they heard.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그 뉴스 들었어?geu nyuseu deureosseo?Did you hear that news?
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니, 헛소리 같아서 안 믿어.ani, heotsori gataseo an mideureo.No, it sounds like nonsense so I don't believe it.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연아, 정말 사실이라니까.Seoyeon-a, jeongmal sasiradannikka.Seoyeon, it is really true.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우야, 너도 헛소리 하지 마.Hyunwoo-ya, neodo heotsori haji ma.Hyunwoo, don't you talk nonsense too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nonsense” translations and entries 헛소리, 무의미, 개소리, 난센스, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
