Korean Dictionary
How to say "Really" in Korean
“Really” in Korean is 존나 (pronounced "jonnna").
존나
jonnna
Usage & Context
A crude intensifier used to emphasize statements, considered vulgar by older generations. Widely used in casual conversations among young people online.
Example Sentence
그거 존나 어렵다.
That's really difficult.
How to use 존나 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Really” is 존나, romanized as jonnna.
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 존나.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced "Jon-na." "Jon" sounds like 'john'. "na" sounds like 'nah'. The double 'nn' makes the sound slightly longer and more emphasized.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about a difficult test to a close friend.
어제 시험 존나 어려웠어.
Yesterday's exam was really difficult.
Recommending a video game enthusiastically.
그 게임 존나 재밌으니까 꼭 해봐.
That game is super fun, so definitely try it.
Expressing extreme fatigue to a peer.
나 오늘 존나 피곤해 죽겠어.
I'm so damn tired today, I could die.
Cultural Context
존나 (jonnna) is a highly vulgar and crude intensifier in Korean, often translated as 'f***ing,' 'damn,' or 'really/very' in a strong, impolite sense. Its origin is related to sexual vulgarity, making it offensive to many, especially older generations. However, it's extremely common among young people, particularly in online communities and very casual settings with close friends, where its vulgarity is sometimes downplayed or even used for emphasis. Using it in public or with strangers is considered highly inappropriate and disrespectful.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 존나 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
존나 좋다
f***ing good
존나 싫다
f***ing hate it
존나 짜증나
f***ing annoying
Related Expressions
개
gae
very, extremely (also slang, less vulgar than 존나)
완전
wanjeon
completely, totally (strong, but not vulgar)
진짜
jinjja
really, truly (general, polite)
엄청
eomcheong
extremely, immensely (strong, but not vulgar)
More Slang Words
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