Korean Dictionary
How to say "Cool" in Korean
“Cool” in Korean is 쩐다 (pronounced "jjindda").
쩐다
jjindda
Usage & Context
Slang expression meaning something is cool or impressive. Used primarily by younger generations to praise fashion, music, or behavior they find stylish.
Example Sentence
그 신발 진짜 쩐다!
Those shoes are really cool!
How to use 쩐다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Cool” is 쩐다, romanized as jjindda.
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 쩐다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced "Jjeon-da." "Jjeon" sounds like 'john' but with a very strong, tense 'jj' sound at the beginning, almost like 'ch-jeon'. The 'eo' is like the 'o' in 'long'. "da" sounds like 'dah' in 'dah-ling'. The stress is on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Watching a K-pop performance or street dancer.
와, 저 춤 진짜 쩐다!
Wow, that dance is really cool!
Playing a new video game with friends.
이 게임 그래픽 쩐다, 완전 실감나.
The graphics in this game are awesome, so realistic.
Complimenting a friend's style.
걔 옷 입는 센스 진짜 쩐다니까.
I'm telling you, their fashion sense is really cool.
Cultural Context
쩐다 is a very popular slang term among younger Koreans, especially teenagers and those in their twenties. It comes from the verb 쩔다, which originally meant 'to be soaked' or 'to be pickled' (like kimchi). Over time, it evolved into slang meaning 'awesome,' 'amazing,' or 'cool' due to its intensity. It's often used to express strong admiration for something impressive, whether it's a skill, an item, or an event. While widely used, it's still considered informal and might not be appropriate in very formal settings or when speaking to elders.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 쩐다 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
진짜 쩐다!
It's really cool!
완전 쩐다!
Totally awesome!
쩔어!
Awesome! (shortened, very casual)
Related Expressions
대박이다
daebagida
awesome, amazing (literally 'big hit')
멋있다
meositda
cool, stylish (more general and polite)
끝내준다
kkeutnaeunda
fantastic, superb (literally 'finishes it off well')
구리다
gurida
lame, crappy (antonym)
More Slang Words
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