분위기
bunwigi[punɥiɡi]
The English phrase 'vibe' can be translated into Korean as 분위기 (bunwigi).
The term 분위기 refers to the atmosphere or aura.
Meaning: atmosphere or aura (noun)
Which one should you use?
In modern Korean slang, the English word 'vibe' is often transliterated as 바이브.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say a place or person has a good vibe, you use the pattern 분위기 + 가 (subject marker) + 좋다 (to be good), resulting in 분위기가 좋다.
How do you pronounce it?
bunwigi
Did you know?
- The word 분위기 is a Sino-Korean term, meaning its individual characters possess deep meanings: 雰 (mist/fog), 圍 (surround/enclose) and 氣 (energy/air).
- In Korean, 분위기 can be 'read' or 'caught' using the verbs 읽다 and 잡다, allowing people to describe the act of sensing a social vibe.
- If you want to say someone has a 'cool vibe' or is 'trendy', you might use the slang term 힙하다 (hip-hada), which is a Konglish adaptation of the English word 'hip'.
Examples in context
- 이 곳의 분위기는 정말 좋아요.The vibe of this place is really good.
- 오늘의 파티 분위기는 어때?How's the vibe at today's party?
- 여기 너무 좋은 느낌이 들어.I'm getting a really good feeling here.
- 이 음악은 정말 내 스타일이야.This music is totally my vibe.
- 여기 분위기 진짜 좋다.yeogi bunwig-i jinjja jota.The atmosphere here is really good.
- 그 카페는 분위기가 독특해요.geu kape-neun bunwig-i dokteuk-haeyo.That cafe has a unique vibe.
- 오늘 분위기가 좀 어둡네요.oneul bunwig-i jom eodupne-yo.The atmosphere is a bit dark today.
Example conversation
Two friends are sitting in a new cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 여기 분위기 어때요?Jihun ssi, yeogi bunwig-i eottaeyo?Jihun, how do you like the vibe here?
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨, 정말 마음에 들어요.Seoyeon ssi, jeongmal maeume deureoyo.Seoyeon, I really like it.
- 서연 Seo-yeon분위기가 아주 세련됐어요.bunwig-i aju seryeondwaesseoyo.The atmosphere is very sophisticated.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요, 음악도 잘 어울려요.majayo, eumakdo jal eoullyeoyo.That's true, the music matches well too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vibe” translations and entries 분위기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 분위기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
