Using Slang Appropriately

Slang feels natural among friends but can land badly in formal settings. This lesson teaches you to pick your words to fit the situation.

1. Use polite forms in formal settings

In interviews, meetings, or talks with someone senior, use full forms instead of slang. It shows respect and builds trust.

(친구에게) 나 주말에 알바해. / (면접에서) 저는 주말에 아르바이트를 합니다.

(chinguege) Na jumare albahae. / (myeonjeobeseo) Jeoneun jumare areubaiteureul hamnida.

(to a friend) I do part-time work on weekends. / (in an interview) I work part-time on weekends.

2. Written vs. spoken

In reports or emails, steer clear of consonant-only chat forms and slang. Official documents should stick to standard language.

(채팅) ㅇㅋ 알겠어! / (이메일) 네, 알겠습니다. 확인하겠습니다.

(chaeting) OK algesseo! / (imeil) Ne, algetseumnida. Hwaginhagetseumnida.

(chat) OK, got it! / (email) Yes, understood. I'll confirm it.

3. Consider your listener

Slang may simply not land with someone who doesn't know it. If you're talking to a senior or a non-native speaker, standard expressions are the safer bet.

(친구) 이거 핵꿀잼이야! / (선생님께) 이 활동이 정말 재미있었어요.

(chingu) Igeo haek-kkuljaem-iya! / (seonsaengnimkke) I hwaldongi jeongmal jaemiisseosseoyo.

(friend) This is a ton of fun! / (to a teacher) This activity was really enjoyable.

4. Mind the generation gap

Slang clicks with your own age group but can sound rude or baffling to older generations. Words like '손절' or '플렉스' in particular can come off as flippant in serious moments.

(친구) 나 그 사람 손절했어. / (부모님께) 그 사람과는 더 이상 연락하지 않기로 했어요.

(chingu) Na geu saram sonjeolhaesseo. / (bumonimkke) Geu saramgwaneun deo isang yeollakhaji anki-ro haesseoyo.

(friend) I cut that person off. / (to parents) I've decided to stop staying in touch with that person.

5. With foreigners and customers

In business or customer service, drop the slang and use standard forms to sound trustworthy. Spelling abbreviations out clearly heads off misunderstandings.

(채팅) 가성비 짱! / (고객 안내) 가격 대비 품질이 매우 우수합니다.

(chaeting) Gaseongbi jjang! / (gogaek annae) Gagyeok daebi pumjiri maeu useuhamnida.

(chat) Amazing value! / (to a customer) The quality is excellent for the price.

(친구) ㅇㅈ ㄹㅇ. / (회의에서) 그 의견에 동의합니다.

(chingu) OJ RO. / (hoeuieseo) Geu uigyeone donguihamnida.

(friend) Agreed, for real. / (in a meeting) I agree with that opinion.

Slang	Polite form	Use case
알바	아르바이트	Formal / interview
ㅇㅋ	알겠습니다	Email / work
대박이다	정말 놀랍습니다	Meeting / report
핵맛있다	아주 맛있습니다	Polite conversation
갓생 살다	성실하게 생활하다	Resume / formal talk
손절하다	연락을 끊다	Serious / family talk
ㅇㅈ	동의합니다	Meeting / business

💡 Tip: Choose slang based on whom you're talking to and where. In formal settings, polite forms are always the safe choice.

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