셀카
selka[s͈e̞ɭkʰa̠]
The English word 'selfie' can be translated into Korean as 셀카 (selka). Wiktionary also lists 셀피 (selpi) and 셀프카메라 (selpeukamera).
Meaning: photographic self-portrait (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 셀카 | selka | [s͈e̞ɭkʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 셀피 | selpi | |
| 셀프카메라 | selpeukamera |
The term refers to a photographic self-portrait. If you want to say 'to take a selfie', you combine the noun with the verb 찍다 (to take or shoot a photo) to form the phrase 셀카를 찍다.
What does it mean word for word?
The common term 셀카 is a contraction of the words 셀프 (self) and 카메라 (camera).
Which one should you use?
While 셀카 is the most common everyday term used by native speakers, 셀피 is a direct transliteration of the English word 'selfie' and is used less frequently. Additionally, 셀프카메라 exists as a more technical or formal version.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
셀프카메라 is more formal or technical, though it is less common in casual speech than 셀카.
How do you pronounce it?
selka
Did you know?
- In many Korean social media contexts, you might see the term 인생샷 (life-shot) used alongside 셀카 to describe the perfect, most beautiful selfie of one's life.
- The culture of 셀카 is closely tied to v-sign gestures, but many Koreans also use the cheek heart or finger heart in their photos to express affection.
- In Korean social media culture, there is a specific term 얼굴천재 meaning 'face genius' used to describe someone whose selfies are naturally perfect.
Examples in context
- 오늘 산에서 셀카를 찍었어!Today, I took a selfie on the mountain!
- 와! 화보 급이네!Wow! It looks like a professional picture!
- 이 셀카 진짜 잘 나왔다.i selka jin-jja jal na-wat-da.This selfie came out really well.
- 우리 셀카 한 장 찍을까?u-ri selka han jang jjig-eul-kka?Shall we take a selfie together?
- 셀카 찍는 걸 좋아해요.selka jjig-neun geol jo-a-hae-yo.I like taking selfies.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are at a beautiful cafe.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨, 우리 같이 셀카 찍을까요?Subin ssi, uri gachi selka jjigeulkkayo?Subin, shall we take a selfie together?
- 수빈 Su-bin좋아요! 제가 찍을게요.joh-ayo! jega jjik-eulgeyo.Sounds good! I'll take it.
- 지훈 Ji-hun와, 사진 정말 예쁘게 나왔네요.wa, sajin jeongmal yeppeuge nawattneyo.Wow, the photo came out really pretty.
- 수빈 Su-bin그쵸? 지훈 씨도 멋있게 나왔어요.geucho? Jihoon ssi-do meoshit-ge nawasseoyo.Right? You look cool too, Jihoon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “selfie” translations and entries 셀카, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
