Korean Dictionary
How to say "Hold" in Korean
“Hold” in Korean is 존버 (pronounced "jonbeo").
존버
jonbeo
Usage & Context
Abbreviation meaning to hold on or persist. Used in investment contexts to mean holding stocks despite price fluctuations.
Example Sentence
주식 존버해야 해.
You need to hold your stocks.
How to use 존버 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Hold” is 존버, romanized as jonbeo.
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 존버.
Pronunciation Guide
To pronounce '존버', think of 'jon' like the name 'John'. 'Beo' is similar to the 'buh' sound in 'butter', but with a slightly more open 'o' sound, like 'burr' without the 'r'. The stress is fairly even on both syllables.
More Example Sentences
A cryptocurrency investor expressing hope for a rebound.
이 코인 존버하면 언젠가 오를 거야.
If I hold onto this coin, it'll go up someday.
Encouraging a friend who is facing a tough situation.
힘들어도 존버 정신으로 버텨야지.
Even if it's hard, I have to endure with a 'hold on' spirit.
A common rallying cry among investors in online communities.
존버는 승리한다!
Holding on wins!
Cultural Context
'존버' is a portmanteau of '존나 버티다' (jon-na beotida), meaning 'to endure like hell' or 'to persist extremely.' It gained massive popularity during the cryptocurrency and stock market booms, especially among younger investors. It embodies a defiant, long-term holding strategy, often against significant losses, hoping for a future recovery. This term is frequently seen in online investment communities and K-dramas depicting financial struggles.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 존버 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
존버는 승리한다.
Holding on wins.
끝까지 존버하자.
Let's hold on till the end.
존버 정신으로 버텨.
Endure with a 'hold on' spirit.
Related Expressions
버티다
beotida
to endure, to hold out
장기 투자
janggi tuja
long-term investment
손절
sonjeol
cut loss (antonym concept)
익절
ikjeol
take profit (related concept)
More Slang Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Hold and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
