Korean Dictionary
How to say "Heol (speechless)" in Korean
“Heol (speechless)” in Korean is 헐 (pronounced "Heol").
헐
Heol
Usage & Context
An expression of shock, disbelief, or speechlessness. Similar to 'wow', 'oh my', or 'seriously?!' in English. Very common in Korean texting and casual conversation. Can convey both positive and negative shock. Often written in texts as 헐헐 for more emphasis.
Example Sentence
헐, 진짜요? 믿을 수가 없어요.
Heol, really? I can't believe it.
How to use 헐 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Heol (speechless)” is 헐, romanized as Heol.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
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 헐.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'Heol'. The 'eo' vowel sound is like the 'u' in 'but' or 'hull'. So, it sounds very similar to the English word 'hull'.
More Example Sentences
Realizing the time has passed quickly.
헐, 벌써 시간이 이렇게 됐어? 빨리 가야겠다.
Heol, is it already this late? I need to go quickly.
Reacting to shocking or unbelievable news.
헐, 그게 진짜라고? 말도 안 돼!
Heol, is that true? That's unbelievable!
Expressing dismay at a sudden problem.
헐, 나 오늘 지갑 안 가져왔어. 어떡해?
Heol, I didn't bring my wallet today. What should I do?
Cultural Context
헐 (heol) is a very common exclamation in Korean, especially among younger generations, used to express shock, disbelief, surprise, or even mild exasperation. It's similar to English phrases like 'wow,' 'oh my,' 'seriously?!,' or 'no way.' It can be used for both positive and negative surprises, though it often leans towards the latter or a neutral 'speechless' reaction. You'll frequently see it in text messages, online comments, and casual conversations in K-dramas. Sometimes, it's repeated as 헐헐 (heol heol) for added emphasis.
Editorial note
We review entries like 헐 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
헐, 진짜?
Heol, really?
헐, 대박!
Heol, awesome! (often used ironically or for unexpected good news)
헐, 어떡해?
Heol, what should I do?
Related Expressions
대박
Daebak
Awesome / amazing (often positive shock)
세상에
Sesange
Oh my goodness / heavens (more general surprise)
맙소사
Mabsosa
Oh my god / good heavens (stronger disbelief)
어머
Eomeo
Oh dear / oh my (often used by women)
More Culture Words
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