Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 진짜 | jinjja | [t͡ɕiɲt͡ɕ͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 정말로 | jeongmallo | [ˈt͡ɕɘ(ː)ŋma̠ɭɭo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 진짜로 | jinjjaro | |
| 참 | cham | [t͡ɕʰa̠m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
These words are used to mean 'actually'. In casual conversation, you can use 진짜? as a standalone question to express surprise or to ask for confirmation. Additionally, the informal intensifier 엄청 can be used to intensify the meaning of really and can be translated as extremely.
Which one should you use?
While all these forms convey the sense of 'really', they differ in tone and nuance. 정말로 is more formal and sincere than 진짜, often used when emphasizing the truthfulness of a statement. In contrast, 진짜 is more colloquial and is frequently used in casual speech compared to the more formal 정말로. The form 진짜로 is used to emphasize that an action or state is actually happening.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle –로 to 진짜 creates the adverbial form 진짜로, which is used to emphasize that an action or state is actually happening.
How do you pronounce it?
jinjja
What mistakes should you avoid?
진짜 can function as both a noun meaning 'truth/reality' and an adverb meaning 'really' depending on the context.
When do people say it?
Using 진짜? as a standalone question is a common way to express surprise or to ask for confirmation in casual conversation.
Did you know?
- In modern Korean slang, the word 진짜 is often shortened or modified in texting to look like ㅈㅈ, though this can be confused with other gaming terms.
- Before 진짜 became the standard, people in Middle Korean used the word 진딧 to express the same meaning.
- The word 참 is so versatile that it is used both to mean 'really' and as a standalone exclamation like 'Oh!' or 'By the way!' when remembering something.
Examples in context
- 진짜로 걱정 안 하지?You're not really worried, are you?This sentence uses 진짜.Tatoeba #3681039 by intertime, translation #2712817 by CK
- 난 정말로 돕고 싶었어.I really wanted to help.This sentence uses 정말로.Tatoeba #8588948 by Eunhee, translation #8588935 by CK
- 난 진짜 불렀어야 했는데.I really should've called.Tatoeba #8365179 by Eunhee, translation #6678615 by CK
- 정말 재미있어요!It's really fun!
- 진짜 좋아해요!I really like it!
- 오늘 날씨 엄청 좋아요!The weather today is really good!
- 이 영화는 참 아름답습니다.This movie is truly beautiful.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 수빈 Su-bin그 영화 진짜 재미있었어요?geu yeonghwa jinjja jaemiisseosseoyo?Was that movie really fun?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 진짜 최고였어요.ne, jinjja choegoyeosseoyo.Yes, it was really the best.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨도 재미있었나 보네요.Jihun ssido jaemiisseonna boneyo.It seems you enjoyed it too, Jihun.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 추천하고 싶어요.jeongmal chucheonhago sipeoyo.I really want to recommend it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “really” translations and entries 진짜, 정말로, 참, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 정말로, 진짜, 참, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
