Learn Korean Informal Phrases for Everyday Conversations 🇰🇷
If you watch K-dramas, Korean YouTube videos, or conversations between Korean friends, you will hear many expressions that sound shorter and more casual than the Korean taught in beginner textbooks.
These expressions are often part of 반말 (banmal), or informal Korean speech.
In this lesson, you will learn 20 useful Korean informal phrases that are commonly used between close friends, siblings, couples, and people who have agreed to speak casually.
Each expression includes:
- Korean spelling
- Romanized pronunciation
- English meaning
- Audio pronunciation
- A simple example
Learning these Korean informal phrases will help you understand real Korean conversations much more naturally.
Table of Contents
What Is 반말 (Banmal)?
🔊 Listen: 반말
banmal
informal / casual Korean speech
Korean has different speech levels depending on the relationship between speakers.
존댓말 (jondaetmal) is polite speech.
반말 (banmal) is informal speech.
For example:
좋아요 → polite
좋아 → informal
맞아요 → polite
맞아 → informal
괜찮아요 → polite
괜찮아 → informal
Informal Korean is very common, but that does not mean you should use it with everyone.
When Can You Use Banmal?
Banmal is commonly used with:
- close friends
- younger siblings
- children
- romantic partners
- people of a similar age who have agreed to speak casually
When talking to strangers, teachers, customers, older people, or someone you have just met, polite Korean is usually safer.
Now, let’s learn the expressions.
Basic Yes, No, Like, and Dislike Expressions
These first six expressions are some of the most common Korean informal phrases you will hear in daily conversation.
1. 응
🔊 Listen: 응
eung
Yeah / Yep
응 is a casual way to say “yes.”
Example:
A: 내일 와?
Are you coming tomorrow?
B: 응.
Yeah.
Polite version: 네
2. 아니
🔊 Listen: 아니
ani
No
아니 is a casual way to say “no.”
Example:
A: 피곤해?
Are you tired?
B: 아니.
No.
Polite version: 아니요
3. 좋아
🔊 Listen: 좋아
joa
I like it / It’s good / Sounds good
좋아 can be used when you like something or agree with a suggestion.
Example:
A: 영화 보자.
Let’s watch a movie.
B: 좋아!
Sounds good!
Polite version: 좋아요
4. 싫어
🔊 Listen: 싫어
sireo
I don’t like it / I don’t want to
싫어 expresses dislike.
Example:
A: 매운 음식 좋아해?
Do you like spicy food?
B: 싫어.
I don’t like it.
Polite version: 싫어요
5. 맞아
🔊 Listen: 맞아
maja
That’s right / Right
Use 맞아 when you agree that something is correct.
Example:
A: 오늘 금요일이지?
Today is Friday, right?
B: 맞아.
That’s right.
Polite version: 맞아요
6. 아니야
🔊 Listen: 아니야
aniya
It isn’t / That’s not right / No
아니야 is often used when something is not correct or not true.
Example:
A: 이거 네 거야?
Is this yours?
B: 아니야.
No, it isn’t.
Polite version: 아니에요
Useful Reactions in Casual Korean
These expressions are extremely common when reacting to what someone says.
7. 진짜?
🔊 Listen: 진짜?
jinjja?
Really?
진짜? is one of the most common reactions in casual Korean.
Example:
A: 나 다음 주에 한국 가.
I’m going to Korea next week.
B: 진짜?
Really?
8. 그래
🔊 Listen: 그래
geurae
Okay / Yeah / I see
그래 can have several meanings depending on tone and context.
Example:
A: 나 먼저 갈게.
I’m going first.
B: 그래.
Okay.
9. 괜찮아
🔊 Listen: 괜찮아
gwaenchana
It’s okay / I’m okay
This is one of the most useful informal Korean expressions.
Example:
A: 미안해!
Sorry!
B: 괜찮아.
It’s okay.
Polite version: 괜찮아요
10. 몰라
🔊 Listen: 몰라
molla
I don’t know
You will hear 몰라 constantly between friends.
Example:
A: 민수 어디 있어?
Where is Minsu?
B: 몰라.
I don’t know.
Polite version: 몰라요
11. 알아
🔊 Listen: 알아
ara
I know
알아 is the opposite of 몰라.
Example:
A: 이 노래 알아?
Do you know this song?
B: 응, 알아.
Yeah, I know it.
Polite version: 알아요
Common Korean Phrases Between Friends
These are useful for messaging, meeting friends, and everyday conversation.
12. 뭐 해?
🔊 Listen: 뭐 해?
mwo hae?
What are you doing?
This is one of the most common messages between Korean friends.
Example:
A: 뭐 해?
What are you doing?
B: 공부해.
I’m studying.
13. 어디 가?
🔊 Listen: 어디 가?
eodi ga?
Where are you going?
A very common casual question.
Example:
A: 어디 가?
Where are you going?
B: 집에 가.
I’m going home.
Polite version: 어디 가요?
14. 왜?
🔊 Listen: 왜?
wae?
Why?
Short, simple, and extremely useful.
Example:
A: 나 오늘 못 가.
I can’t go today.
B: 왜?
Why?
Polite version: 왜요?
15. 잠깐만
🔊 Listen: 잠깐만
jamkkanman
Wait a second / Hold on
Use this when you need someone to wait.
Example:
A: 빨리 와!
Come quickly!
B: 잠깐만!
Wait a second!
Casual Thanks and Apologies
Knowing how to thank and apologize casually is also important.
16. 고마워
🔊 Listen: 고마워
gomawo
Thanks
고마워 is commonly used with close friends.
Example:
A: 이거 줄게.
I’ll give you this.
B: 고마워!
Thanks!
Polite versions: 고마워요 / 감사합니다
17. 미안해
🔊 Listen: 미안해
mianhae
Sorry
미안해 is a casual apology.
Example:
A: 왜 늦었어?
Why are you late?
B: 미안해.
Sorry.
Polite versions: 미안해요 / 죄송해요
Useful Casual Phrases for Going Out and Making Plans
These expressions help you make plans with friends.
18. 가자
🔊 Listen: 가자
gaja
Let’s go
가자 is a very common casual expression.
Example:
A: 준비됐어?
Are you ready?
B: 응. 가자!
Yeah. Let’s go!
19. 먹자
🔊 Listen: 먹자
meokja
Let’s eat
먹자 uses the casual suggestion ending -자.
Example:
A: 배고파.
I’m hungry.
B: 밥 먹자.
Let’s eat.
You can use -자 with many verbs:
가자 = Let’s go
먹자 = Let’s eat
보자 = Let’s see / watch
만나자 = Let’s meet
Casual Goodbye Expressions
20. 잘 가
🔊 Listen: 잘 가
jal ga
Bye / Take care
잘 가 is commonly used when the other person is leaving.
Example:
A: 나 갈게.
I’m going.
B: 응, 잘 가!
Okay, bye!
You can also say:
잘 자 = Good night / Sleep well
when saying goodbye before sleeping.
Want to know when to use casual, polite, or formal Korean? Check out our complete guide to Korean Speech Levels for Beginners.👇
Korean Informal Phrases vs Polite Korean
One of the easiest ways to understand banmal is to compare casual and polite forms.
| Informal | Polite | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 응 | 네 | yeah / yes |
| 아니 | 아니요 | no |
| 좋아 | 좋아요 | I like it / sounds good |
| 싫어 | 싫어요 | I don’t like it |
| 맞아 | 맞아요 | that’s right |
| 아니야 | 아니에요 | it isn’t / that’s not right |
| 괜찮아 | 괜찮아요 | it’s okay |
| 몰라 | 몰라요 | I don’t know |
| 알아 | 알아요 | I know |
| 왜? | 왜요? | why? |
| 어디 가? | 어디 가요? | where are you going? |
| 고마워 | 고마워요 | thanks |
| 미안해 | 미안해요 | sorry |
| 잘 가 | 잘 가요 | bye |
How Korean Banmal Sounds in a Real Conversation
Here is a simple conversation between close friends.
A: 뭐 해?
What are you doing?
B: 그냥 집에 있어.
I’m just at home.
A: 배고파?
Are you hungry?
B: 응.
Yeah.
A: 그럼 밥 먹자.
Then let’s eat.
B: 좋아!
Sounds good!
Once you recognize these expressions, Korean conversations between friends become much easier to understand.
Be Careful: Banmal Can Sound Rude in the Wrong Situation
Learning Korean informal phrases is useful, but knowing when not to use them is just as important.
For example, saying:
물 줘.
Give me water.
to a restaurant worker can sound too direct.
A better expression is:
물 주세요.
Water, please.
Similarly:
이거 얼마야?
How much is this? — informal
이거 얼마예요?
How much is this? — polite
If you are not sure which speech level to use, start with polite Korean.
Why Korean Learners Should Study Informal Korean
Understand K-Dramas More Easily
Friends, siblings, classmates, and couples often use banmal.
Recognizing casual phrases will help you follow conversations without relying entirely on subtitles.
Understand Korean Social Media
Korean creators often use casual expressions in:
- YouTube videos
- Instagram Reels
- TikTok
- livestreams
- comments
- text messages
Sound More Natural With Close Friends
Once you are comfortable with polite Korean and understand the relationship, casual Korean can make conversations feel much more natural.
20 Korean Informal Phrases at a Glance
| No. | Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 응 | eung | yeah / yep |
| 2 | 아니 | ani | no |
| 3 | 좋아 | joa | I like it / sounds good |
| 4 | 싫어 | sireo | I don’t like it |
| 5 | 맞아 | maja | that’s right |
| 6 | 아니야 | aniya | it isn’t / that’s not right |
| 7 | 진짜? | jinjja? | really? |
| 8 | 그래 | geurae | okay / yeah |
| 9 | 괜찮아 | gwaenchana | it’s okay |
| 10 | 몰라 | molla | I don’t know |
| 11 | 알아 | ara | I know |
| 12 | 뭐 해? | mwo hae? | what are you doing? |
| 13 | 어디 가? | eodi ga? | where are you going? |
| 14 | 왜? | wae? | why? |
| 15 | 잠깐만 | jamkkanman | wait a second |
| 16 | 고마워 | gomawo | thanks |
| 17 | 미안해 | mianhae | sorry |
| 18 | 가자 | gaja | let’s go |
| 19 | 먹자 | meokja | let’s eat |
| 20 | 잘 가 | jal ga | bye / take care |
Practice These Korean Informal Phrases
Try to remember the Korean expression before looking at the answer.
Yeah → 응
No → 아니
That’s right → 맞아
Really? → 진짜?
I don’t know → 몰라
It’s okay → 괜찮아
Let’s go → 가자
Let’s eat → 먹자
Start with these eight, then slowly add the rest.
Keep Learning Natural Korean 🇰🇷
Learning Korean is not only about memorizing grammar rules.
It is also about understanding how people actually speak.
These Korean informal phrases will help you recognize casual conversations in K-dramas, Korean videos, social media, and real-life conversations between friends.
Start with the six expressions from the video:
응
아니
좋아
싫어
맞아
아니야
Then add the other expressions one by one.
Most importantly, remember that banmal depends on your relationship with the other person.
When you are unsure, use polite Korean first.
As you learn both polite and informal speech, Korean conversations will start to sound much more natural and much easier to understand.
