Neologisms, Internet Slang, and Abbreviations

Trend Expressions

Trend slang that mirrors the social mood turns up in news and ads alike. This lesson covers the standout expressions that capture modern life.

1. κ°€μ„±λΉ„ (Value for money)

'κ°€μ„±λΉ„' shortens '가격 λŒ€λΉ„ μ„±λŠ₯의 λΉ„μœ¨' β€” the ratio of performance to price β€” and means cost-effectiveness. Use it when the quality is high for what you paid.

이 λ…ΈνŠΈλΆμ€ κ°€μ„±λΉ„κ°€ 정말 μ’‹μ•„μš”.
I noteubugeun gaseongbiga jeongmal joayo.
This laptop is a really great value for money.

2. ν”Œλ ‰μŠ€ (Flex)

'ν”Œλ ‰μŠ€' comes from English 'flex' and means flaunting your money or skills. It also works as a verb, 'ν”Œλ ‰μŠ€ν•˜λ‹€.'

첫 μ›”κΈ‰ λ°›μ•„μ„œ λΆ€λͺ¨λ‹˜κ»˜ μ„ λ¬Όλ‘œ ν”Œλ ‰μŠ€ν–ˆμ–΄μš”.
Cheot wolgeup badaseo bumonimkke seonmullo pelleksuhaesseoyo.
I got my first paycheck and splurged on a gift for my parents.

3. 갓생 (A diligent, ideal life)

'갓생' joins English 'god' with '생' (η”Ÿ, life) to mean a hardworking, model lifestyle. It captures the whole self-improvement vibe.

μ˜¬ν•΄λŠ” 일찍 μΌμ–΄λ‚˜μ„œ 갓생 μ‚΄κΈ°λ‘œ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”.
Olhaeneun iljjik ireonaseo gatsaeng salgiro haesseoyo.
This year I've decided to get up early and live my best, most disciplined life.
이 식당은 양도 많고 κ°€μ„±λΉ„κ°€ μ΅œκ³ μ˜ˆμš”.
I sikdangeun yangdo manko gaseongbiga choegoyeyo.
This restaurant serves huge portions and the best value for money.

4. μ›ŒλΌλ°Έ / μ†Œν™•ν–‰ (Work-life balance / small joys)

'μ›ŒλΌλ°Έ' shortens 'work-life balance,' and 'μ†Œν™•ν–‰' shortens 'μ†Œμ†Œν•˜μ§€λ§Œ ν™•μ‹€ν•œ 행볡' β€” small but certain happiness. Both reflect today's emphasis on balance and everyday joy.

μ €λŠ” 연봉보닀 μ›ŒλΌλ°Έμ΄ 더 μ€‘μš”ν•΄μš”.
Jeoneun yeonbongboda worabaeri deo jungyohaeyo.
Work-life balance matters to me more than my salary. (casual/trend)
λ”°λœ»ν•œ 컀피 ν•œ μž”μ΄ 제 μ†Œν™•ν–‰μ΄μ—μš”.
Ttatteuthan keopi han jani je sohwakhaeng-ieyo.
A warm cup of coffee is my small but certain happiness. (trend)

5. TMI / μ†μ ˆ (Too much info / cutting ties)

'TMI' is English 'too much information' β€” oversharing personal details nobody needed. 'μ†μ ˆ' was originally a stock-trading term for cutting your losses, and now also means cutting someone out of your life.

이건 μ’€ TMI인가? μ–΄μ œ μ„Έ 번 λ„˜μ–΄μ‘Œμ–΄.
Igeon jom TMI-inga? Eoje se beon neomeojyeosseo.
Is this TMI? I fell down three times yesterday. (casual/slang)
약속을 자꾸 μ–΄κ²¨μ„œ κ·Έλƒ₯ μ†μ ˆν–ˆμ–΄.
Yaksogeul jakku eogyeoseo geunyang sonjeolhaesseo.
He kept breaking his promises, so I just cut him off. (slang)
ExpressionOriginMeaning
가성비가격 λŒ€λΉ„ μ„±λŠ₯λΉ„Value for money
ν”Œλ ‰μŠ€flexTo show off / splurge
갓생god + 생(life)A diligent, ideal life
μ›ŒλΌλ°Έwork-life balanceWork-life balance
μ†Œν™•ν–‰μ†Œμ†Œν•˜μ§€λ§Œ ν™•μ‹€ν•œ 행볡Small but certain happiness
TMItoo much informationOversharing
μ†μ ˆζεˆ‡ (cut losses)To cut someone off
πŸ’‘ Tip: Trend words pop up and fade fast. Knowing their meanings and origins helps you decode new ones as they appear.
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