Korean Dictionary
How to say "Hip" in Korean
“Hip” in Korean is 힙하다 (pronounced "hiphada").
힙하다
hiphada
Usage & Context
Describing something as hip, trendy, or cool. Used to praise fashion, music, or lifestyle choices that are fashionable.
Example Sentence
그 스타일 진짜 힙해.
That style is really hip.
How to use 힙하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Hip” is 힙하다, romanized as hiphada.
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 힙하다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '힙' like the English word 'hip', but with a slightly unreleased 'p' sound at the end. '하' is like 'hah' in 'haha'. '다' is like 'dah' in 'dah-ling'. The stress is on the first syllable 'hip'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
힙해요
hiphaeyo
Standard polite form, used in most formal or respectful situations.
Casual (반말)
힙해
hiphae
Standard casual form, used with close friends or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Admiring a trendy cafe's decor with a friend.
저 카페 인테리어 진짜 힙하다!
That cafe's interior design is really hip!
Asking for recommendations for trendy places to visit.
요즘 힙한 동네 어디야?
Where's the hip neighborhood these days?
Discussing a K-pop group's musical style.
그 아이돌 그룹은 항상 힙한 음악을 해.
That idol group always makes hip music.
Cultural Context
힙하다 (hiphada) is a popular adjective derived from the English 'hip' and means 'to be hip,' 'trendy,' or 'cool.' It's widely used to describe fashion, music, places, or even people who embody a modern, stylish, and often edgy aesthetic. You'll hear it frequently in K-pop and K-drama contexts to praise something as cutting-edge or fashionable, especially within youth culture. It often implies a sense of uniqueness and being ahead of the curve.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 힙하다 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
힙한 스타일
Hip style
힙한 장소
Hip place
진짜 힙해
Really hip
Related Expressions
멋지다
meotjida
to be cool, awesome
트렌디하다
teurendihada
to be trendy
세련되다
seryeondoeda
to be sophisticated, refined
유행하다
yuhaenghada
to be in fashion, popular
More Slang Words
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