Koreanromance-expressions

Korean Manhwa Romance Expressions & Phrases Glossary

Romance manhwa often features unique Korean expressions and phrases that are crucial for conveying character emotions and relationship dynamics. Understanding these terms, from heartfelt confessions to casual dating slang, is key for any reader or translator looking to fully appreciate the nuances of a love story. This glossary provides a comprehensive look at common romantic vocabulary, helping you navigate the world of Korean webtoons with greater insight and enjoyment. Knowing these terms ensures that the romantic tension, affection, and drama translate accurately, making for a richer reading experience.

28 Terms

Korean

Term	Romanization	Literal Meaning	Usage	Example	Translation Note
사랑해	saranghae	I love you	The most direct and common way to express 'I love you.'	A main character confesses their feelings directly to their love interest, often accompanied by tears or a dramatic hug.	Universally translated as 'I love you.' Sometimes 'I really love you' for emphasis, but typically kept simple.
좋아해	joahae	I like you	A common way to confess initial romantic feelings before 'love,' or to express strong affection.	A shy character finally gathers the courage to tell their crush, 'I like you,' often with blushing or averted eyes.	Usually translated as 'I like you.' In some contexts, it can be 'I have feelings for you' or 'I really like you' to convey stronger affection.
고백하다	gobaekhada	to confess	To make a romantic confession to someone.	A character is seen practicing what they will say before 'confessing' their feelings to their crush.	Often translated as 'to confess' or 'to make a confession.' Sometimes phrased as 'to tell them how I feel' or 'to admit my feelings.'
썸	ssom	something (from 'something between us')	A pre-relationship stage where two people are romantically interested in each other but haven't officially started dating.	Two characters are constantly flirting and spending time together, and their friends comment, 'They're totally in a 'ssom' phase.'	Often translated as 'the talking stage,' 'something going on,' or 'seeing each other.' Sometimes 'pre-relationship phase' for clarity.
연애하다	yeonaehada	to be in a romantic relationship	To be dating someone, to be romantically involved.	Two characters have started officially dating, and one character excitedly tells their friend, 'We're 'dating' now!'	Translated as 'to date,' 'to be in a relationship,' or 'to be going out.' Simple and direct.
남자친구 / 여자친구	namjachingu / yeojachingu	male friend / female friend	Boyfriend / Girlfriend.	A character introduces their 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend' to their parents or friends.	Always translated as 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend.' Straightforward.
첫눈에 반하다	cheotnune banhada	to fall for at first sight	To fall in love at first sight.	A character describes how they felt when they first saw their destined partner, exclaiming, 'It was love at first sight!'	Translated as 'love at first sight' or 'fell in love at first sight.' No direct equivalent needed for 'banhada' when context is clear.
운명	unmyeong	destiny / fate	Used to describe a fated or destined romantic connection.	Two characters keep running into each other in unlikely circumstances, leading one to wonder, 'Is this 'fate'?'	Translated as 'fate,' 'destiny,' or 'meant to be.' The nuance of 'unmyeong' often implies a strong, almost supernatural connection.
심쿵하다	shimkunghada	heart thumping/pounding	To have one's heart skip a beat or pound from excitement, often romantically.	A character sees their crush doing something charming or cool, and an internal monologue describes their 'heart thumping' in their chest.	Translated as 'my heart skipped a beat,' 'my heart pounded,' or 'my heart fluttered.' Sometimes 'swoon' or 'my heart went 'thump-thump.'' This is a very common term.
설레다	seolleda	to flutter / to be excited	To feel excited, thrilled, or fluttery, especially in anticipation of something romantic.	A character is about to go on a first date and expresses, 'I'm so 'excited' and nervous.'	Translated as 'my heart flutters,' 'I'm excited,' 'thrilled,' or 'nervous with anticipation.' Often used for the pleasant feeling of romantic excitement.
애틋하다	aeteuthada	to be tender/heartbreakingly fond	To feel a deep, tender, often bittersweet affection or longing for someone.	A character looks at their past love with a 'tender, wistful' expression, recalling their shared memories.	Translated as 'tender,' 'wistful,' 'heartbreakingly fond,' or 'poignant.' It conveys a mix of deep affection and a sense of preciousness or sadness.
풋풋하다	putputhada	fresh/young/green	To describe something or someone as fresh, innocent, and pure, often referring to early, innocent love.	A flashback shows the main couple in their high school days, experiencing their 'fresh and innocent' first love.	Translated as 'innocent,' 'fresh,' 'pure,' or 'youthful.' Used to describe the feeling of first love or a new, untainted relationship.
짝사랑	jjaksarang	one-sided love	Unrequited love; loving someone who doesn't return your feelings.	A character secretly watches their crush from afar, lamenting their 'one-sided love.'	Always translated as 'unrequited love' or 'one-sided love.' Clear and direct.
밀당	mildang	push and pull	The dynamic of 'push and pull' in a relationship, often used in dating to create tension and maintain interest.	Two characters are playing games, one acting distant, the other showing interest, creating a 'push and pull' dynamic.	Translated as 'push and pull,' 'playing hard to get,' or 'mind games.' Sometimes explained as 'the push and pull dynamic' or 'the back-and-forth.'
썸남 / 썸녀	ssomnam / ssomnyeo	something male / something female	A person you're in the 'ssom' phase with; someone you have something going on with.	A character's friend asks, 'Is he your 'ssom guy'?' referring to someone they are clearly interested in.	Translated as 'the guy I'm seeing,' 'the girl I'm talking to,' 'my sort-of-boyfriend/girlfriend,' or 'my push-and-pull guy/girl.'
내꺼	naekkeo	my thing / mine	Affectionate and possessive term, meaning 'my precious one' or 'mine' in a romantic context.	A protective character hugs their love interest and says, 'You're 'mine',' playfully or seriously.	Translated as 'Mine,' 'You're mine,' or 'My precious.' It conveys a sense of ownership and deep affection.
달콤하다	dalkomhada	to be sweet	To be sweet, romantic, charming, often referring to actions or words.	A character receives a surprise gift or hears a loving compliment and thinks, 'That's so 'sweet' of him/her.'	Translated as 'sweet,' 'romantic,' or 'charming.' Can also be used for literal sweetness.
러브라인	reobeu rain	love line	The romantic storyline or connection between two characters.	Viewers discuss the 'love line' between the two main characters, debating who will end up together.	Translated as 'love line,' 'romantic plotline,' or 'relationship arc.' Often used meta-textually in discussions about the story.
두근두근	dugeundugeun	thump-thump (heartbeat sound)	Sound effect for a pounding or excited heart, often in romantic anticipation or nervousness.	A character sees their crush approaching, and a 'thump-thump' SFX appears next to their chest.	Translated as 'Thump-thump,' 'Lub-dub,' 'Pitter-patter,' or 'Heart pounding.' Very common in romance SFX.
콩깍지 씌었다	kongkkakji ssuiwotta	beanshell put on	To be head-over-heels in love, to have 'love goggles' on, seeing only the good in someone.	A character is completely oblivious to their partner's flaws, and a friend remarks, 'You've got those 'love goggles' on, huh?'	Translated as 'wearing rose-colored glasses,' 'blinded by love,' or 'head over heels.' A common idiom.
내 편	nae pyeon	my side	Someone who is always on your side, your supporter, often used in a loving or protective way.	A character thanks their partner after they defended them, saying, 'Thank you for always being 'on my side.'	Translated as 'my side,' 'my supporter,' or 'always there for me.' Conveys loyalty and deep care.
썸 타다	ssom tada	to ride the 'ssom'	To be in the 'ssom' phase; to be engaging in flirtatious behavior that suggests mutual romantic interest without commitment.	Friends notice two characters spending a lot of time together and ask, 'Are you two 'ssom-ing'?'	Translated as 'to be in the talking stage,' 'to be flirting,' 'to have something going on,' or 'to be playing the field together.'
애인	aein	lover / loved person	A romantic partner, typically used for someone in an established relationship.	A character casually refers to their 'partner' when making plans or discussing their private life.	Translated as 'lover,' 'partner,' or sometimes 'significant other.' Can be more formal or serious than 'boyfriend/girlfriend' in some contexts, but also casual.
데이트	deiteu	date	A romantic outing or rendezvous between two people.	Two characters are planning their 'date' to a cafe or amusement park.	Directly translated as 'date' or 'a date.' Easy loanword.
결혼	gyeolhon	marriage	The state of being married, or the act of getting married.	A couple discusses their future together, including the possibility of 'marriage.'	Translated as 'marriage' or 'to marry.' Often appears in discussions of long-term commitment.
평생	pyeongsaeng	lifetime / all one's life	For a lifetime; often used in promises of eternal love or devotion.	A character makes a heartfelt vow to their beloved, promising to love them 'for a lifetime.'	Translated as 'for life,' 'forever,' or 'my entire life.' Used to emphasize permanence in romantic vows.
운명의 상대	unmyeongui sangdae	destiny's counterpart	One's fated partner or soulmate.	A character believes they have finally met their 'fated partner' after a series of coincidences.	Translated as 'fated partner,' 'destined one,' or 'soulmate.' Emphasizes a strong, predetermined connection.
인연	inyeon	fate / connection / bond	A special connection or bond between people, often predestined, implying a deep, meaningful relationship.	After overcoming many obstacles, a couple reflects on their 'special bond' and how they were meant to meet.	Translated as 'fate,' 'destiny,' 'special connection,' or 'bond.' It's often deeper and more spiritual than 'unmyeong,' referring to the threads that tie people together.

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