응
eung[ɯŋ]
The Korean word for 'yup' is 응 (eung).
응 is a widely used informal way to say 'yes'. In text messaging, people often write ㅇㅇ to represent the sound of this word quickly.
Meaning: (informal) yes (intj)
Which one should you use?
While 응 is informal, the standard polite form 네 is used when speaking to elders, superiors or strangers.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
응 is used only with people of equal or lower social status, such as close friends or younger people.
How do you pronounce it?
eung
Did you know?
- The sound of 응 is believed to be an imitative form, sharing a similar linguistic root to the Japanese word for 'yeah', うん.
- In Korean texting culture, sending a single ㅇ instead of ㅇㅇ can be perceived as cold, dismissive or even rude by some users.
- When talking to pets or babies, Koreans often use 응 even if they usually use the polite 네 in their daily lives, as these are considered lower status.
Examples in context
- 응, 괜찮아.Yup, it's okay.
- 어! 알았어!Yup! Got it!
- 응, 맞아.eung, maj-a.Yup, that's right.
- 응, 알았어.eung, ar-asseo.Yup, I got it.
- 응, 나도 갈게.eung, na-do gal-ge.Yup, I'm coming too.
Example conversation
Ji-hoon and Seo-yeon are talking about dinner.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연아, 배고파?Seoyeona, baegopa?Seo-yeon, are you hungry?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 정말 배고파.eung, jeongmal baegopa.Yup, I'm really hungry.
- 지훈 Ji-hun우리 같이 밥 먹으러 갈까?uri gatchi bap meogeureo galkka?Shall we go eat together?
- 서연 Seo-yeon좋아, 가자!joa, gaja!Sure, let's go!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 응, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 응, CC BY-SA 4.0.
