Korean Dictionary
How to say "Inkigayo" in Korean
“Inkigayo” in Korean is 인기가요 (pronounced "Ingigayo").
인기가요
Ingigayo
Usage & Context
A major weekly music show on SBS featuring live performances and rankings. Important for K-pop artists.
Example Sentence
인기가요에 나왔어요.
They appeared on Inkigayo.
How to use 인기가요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Inkigayo” is 인기가요, romanized as Ingigayo.
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 인기가요.
Pronunciation Guide
인기 (Ingi) sounds like 'in-gee', where 'in' is like the English 'in' and 'gee' is like 'gee' in 'geese'. 가요 (Gayo) sounds like 'gah-yo', with 'gah' like 'gah' and 'yo' like 'yo' in 'yogurt'. The 'n' in '인' slightly nasalizes the 'g' in '가요' due to assimilation, making it flow smoothly.
More Example Sentences
Friends speculating about the weekly chart results.
이번 주 인기가요 1위는 누구일까?
Who do you think will be #1 on Inkigayo this week?
Reporting on K-pop news or discussing a group's performance.
블랙핑크가 인기가요에서 신곡 무대를 선보였어요.
BLACKPINK showcased their new song stage on Inkigayo.
Expressing a routine or a fan's excitement for the show.
일요일 오후는 인기가요 보는 날이지!
Sunday afternoon is Inkigayo day!
Cultural Context
SBS's Inkigayo is one of South Korea's most prominent weekly music shows, airing on Sundays. It's a crucial platform for K-pop artists to promote new releases and compete for the coveted 'Inkigayo win.' Historically, winners received a special 'Inkigayo sandwich' backstage, a beloved tradition among idols and fans alike, though now it's often a trophy.
Editorial note
We review entries like 인기가요 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
인기가요 샌드위치
Inkigayo sandwich (a famous snack for performers)
인기가요 출연
Appearing on Inkigayo
인기가요 1위
Inkigayo first place
Related Expressions
SBS
Seu-bi-eseu
Seoul Broadcasting System (the channel)
음악 방송
Eumak Bangsong
Music show (general term)
1위
Ilwi
First place
컴백
Keombaek
Comeback
More Music Words
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