Korean Dictionary
How to say "Fan" in Korean
“Fan” in Korean is 덕후 (pronounced "deokhu").
덕후
deokhu
Usage & Context
Someone who is a passionate fan of something, often used for anime, games, or celebrities. Can be used affectionately or mockingly.
Example Sentence
나 그 드라마 덕후야.
I'm a fan of that drama.
How to use 덕후 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Fan” is 덕후, romanized as deokhu.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 덕후.
Pronunciation Guide
'덕' (deok) sounds like the English word 'duck'. '후' (hu) sounds like 'hoo' in 'hoot'. Combine them: DEOK-hoo.
More Example Sentences
Describing a family member's hobby.
우리 언니는 BTS 덕후라서 앨범 다 모았어.
My older sister is a BTS fan, so she collected all the albums.
Self-description of a hobby.
나는 게임 덕후라서 주말엔 항상 게임만 해.
I'm a game fan/nerd, so I only play games on weekends.
Discussing fan power.
그 배우 덕후들이 드라마 시청률을 올렸대.
They say that actor's fans raised the drama's viewership ratings.
Cultural Context
덕후 is derived from the Japanese term 'otaku' (오덕후 in Korean). It refers to a person deeply passionate about a specific hobby or interest, often to an obsessive degree. While originally carrying a slightly negative or nerdy connotation, it has become more normalized and even affectionate in modern Korean culture, especially in K-pop, K-drama, and gaming communities. It can be used to describe someone who is an expert or deeply knowledgeable in their chosen field of interest.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 덕후 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
덕후 인증
Fan certification (proving one's dedication as a fan)
성공한 덕후
Successful fan (a fan who achieves something related to their idol, e.g., meeting them)
덕후력
Fan power/level (how dedicated or knowledgeable a fan is)
Related Expressions
팬
paen
Fan (more general, English loanword)
마니아
mania
Mania, enthusiast (English loanword, similar to 덕후)
오타쿠
otaku
Otaku (original Japanese term, sometimes used interchangeably)
전문가
jeonmunga
Expert, specialist (more formal, academic context)
More Slang Words
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