Ways to Say "Really" in Korean
The safest all-purpose Korean word for "really" is 정말 (jeongmal); in everyday casual speech, 진짜 (jinjja) is also extremely common.
The most common way
jeongmal
Really/truly; also a general intensifier meaning "very" before adjectives or adverbs.
How to say it: Say it as two short beats, juhng-mal; the vowel in 정 is like the "u" in "sun," not "oh."
Other ways to say it
- casual
jinjja
Really/for real; also a strong casual intensifier meaning "very."
When to use it: Use it with friends, close coworkers, or in informal speech; it can sound too casual in formal settings.
- emphatic/formal
jeongmallo
Really/truly, with extra emphasis or insistence.
When to use it: Use it when you want to stress that something is true, or in more formal speech and writing.
- sincere
jinsimeuro
Sincerely/from the heart; not a casual surprised "really?"
When to use it: Use it for apologies, thanks, or feelings you truly mean.
- casual intensifier
doege
Really/quite/pretty; a casual intensifier before adjectives and verbs.
When to use it: Use it in relaxed conversation with people you are close to, not in formal writing.
- formal/written intensifier
goengjanghi
Very/really; a formal or written-style intensifier.
When to use it: Use it in formal speech, presentations, or writing when you want a polished "very/really."
In a conversation
- A
!
I kape keopi jinjja masitda!
This cafe's coffee is really good!
- B
? .
Geureochi? Nado jinjja joahae.
Right? I really like it too.
Common mistakes
교수님, 진짜 감사합니다.→ 교수님, 정말 감사합니다.진짜 is casual, so 정말 is safer in polite or formal speech.
진심으로?→ 정말?진심으로 means "sincerely/from the heart," so it does not work as a surprised "really?"
되게 감사합니다.→ 정말 감사합니다.되게 is a casual spoken intensifier and sounds out of place in a formal thank-you.