When visiting a foreign country, there are so many exciting sights and sounds, smells and tastes. There are a lot of times when the only word that you can use to express how you feel is simply ‘wow’.

This article will look at how to say ‘wow’ in Korean. It’s a really useful exclamation! You can then show your friends how you feel when you see something that makes you completely lost for words.

Let’s learn how to use this word. Here we go!

*Can’t read Korean yet? Click here to learn for free in about 60 minutes!

 

‘Wow’ in Korean

 

The most common way of saying wow in Korean is ‘와’ (wa). The ‘a’ part of the sound is often made slightly longer than normal, making it sound more like ‘waah’. This word is more of a sound that a word, and there are several different variations of the word ‘wow’. You may also hear 우와 (oo-wa), 우아 (oo-ah), and 와우 (wa-oo [similar to the English word ‘wow’]) being said by Koreans. All of these words also mean ‘wow’ in Korean, but 와 (wa) is the most common.

You can use ‘wow’ when talking to yourself. It is also mainly used in informal situations, but can be used in standard situations.

‘Wow’ can be used on its own, or at the start of a sentence. If that sentence is showing surprise then it will usually end with 네 (ne) if informal, or 네요 (neyo) if in the standard politeness level.

If you are talking to yourself, then the sentence will often end in 다 (da).

 

Romanized Korean: A Word of Caution 

Using the Korean alphabet, known as Hangeul, is a far more effective way to learn Korean than using Romanization all the time. If you know how to read Hangeul, then you will also improve your reading ability, and can learn vocabulary and grammar far more quickly. Hangeul only takes a few hours to learn so the payoff is almost immediate and is well worth the effort.

If you want to learn some more essential phrases, check out this article or try our full Korean course.

 

 

Standard ‘Wow’ in Korean

 

You can use the standard example with most people, and it will be considered polite.

Examples:

와, 사람이 말 많네요! (wa, sarami jeongmal manneyo.)

Wow, that’s a lot of people!

 

우아, 그런 이야기는 처음 들어요! (ua, geureon iyagineun cheoeum deuleoyo.)

Wow, I’ve never heard that before!

 

Informal ‘Wow’ in Korean

 

If you’re going to use the informal version of ‘Wow’, make sure you use it with those close to you or younger than you. It would be impolite to use the impolite version of ‘Wow’ in Korean with people you don’t know well or those older than you.

Examples:

우아! 너 정말 멋져! (ua! Neo jeongmal meotjyeo!)

Wow! You look terrific!

 

와, 7년, 긴 시간이네! (wa, chilnyeon, gin shiganine.)

Wow, 7 years, that’s a long time!

 

와! 재미겠다! (wa! Jaemigettda!)

Wow, how fun!

 

How to Remember the Word ‘Wow’ in Korean

 

‘Wow’ and ‘와’ both start with the ‘w’ sound and both sound kind of similar so this word should be quite easy to remember.

 

Now that you know how to say ‘wow’ in Korean, let us know what things make you want to say ‘wow’ when you visit Korea.

 

*Want more Korean phrases? Go to our Korean Phrases Page for a complete list!