Vocabulary5 min read56 views

Korean Reaction Phrases: 대박, 진짜, 헐, 와

Knowing 1000 words without reactions sounds textbook. Here’s the spoken kit.

Nicolas

Published on September 14, 2026

Korean Reaction Phrases: 대박, 진짜, 헐, 와

Core reactions: 와 (wow), 진짜요? (really?), 대박 (awesome/insane), 헐 (omg), 설마 (no way).

Positive / impressed

와… / 대박 / 미쳤다 (casual) / 진짜 좋다.

Surprise / doubt

진짜요? / 설마요 / 헐 / 말도 안 돼.

Empathy

아이고 / 어떡해 / 힘들겠다.

Key vocabulary

WordRomanizationMeaning
대박daebakAwesome / crazy
진짜jinjjaReally
헐heolOMG
설마seolmaNo way…

Tip

At work, prefer 와 / 정말요? over 헐 / 미쳤다.

Go further

Find these words in the Seonsaengnim dictionary and practice them in lessons / flashcards with native audio.

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