맙소사
mapsosa[ˈma̠(ː)ps͈o̞sʰa̠]
맙소사 (mapsosa) is the Korean way to say oh my gosh.
Meaning: oh my God (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
mapsosa
Did you know?
- The word 맙소사 is actually a shortened, slightly corrupted version of the much more formal and archaic phrase 하느님 마옵소서, which literally means 'God, please do not let this happen'.
- If you were to use the full, uncontracted form of this expression, you would sound like a character from a historical 'sageuk' drama rather than a modern person.
- While 맙소사 is used for shock, younger Koreans often prefer the single syllable 헐 to express disbelief or a feeling of being speechless.
Examples in context
- 아이고, 정말 예쁘시네요!Oh my, you look really beautiful!
- 어머나, 이게 뭐죠?Oh my, what is this?
- 어머, 너 진짜 잘생겼다!Oh my gosh, you're really handsome!
- 맙소사, 이게 도대체 무슨 일이야?mapsosa, ige dodaeche museun iriya?Oh my gosh, what on earth is happening?
- 맙소사, 너무 놀랐잖아.mapsosa, neomu nollatjana.Oh my gosh, you scared me.
- 맙소사, 벌써 시간이 이렇게 됐네.mapsosa, beolsseo sigani ireoke dwaetne.Oh my gosh, it's already this time.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are looking at a broken vase.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맙소사, 꽃병이 깨졌어요!mapsosa, kkotbyeongi kkejeosseoyo!Oh my gosh, the vase is broken!
- 지은 Ji-eun제가 실수로 밀었어요.jega silsuro mireosseoyo.I pushed it by mistake.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo어떡해요, 정말 아끼던 건데.eotteokaeyo, jeongmal akkideon geonde.What should we do, I really cherished it.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 죄송해요, 현우 씨.jeongmal joesonghaeyo, Hyunwoo ssi.I am truly sorry, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 맙소사, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 맙소사, CC BY-SA 4.0.
