Korean Dictionary
How to say "Abbreviation" in Korean
“Abbreviation” in Korean is 줄임말 (pronounced "julim mal").
줄임말
julim mal
Usage & Context
Shortened words or abbreviations commonly used in Korean slang. Part of the evolution of internet language and youth culture.
Example Sentence
한국 줄임말 많아.
There are many Korean abbreviations.
How to use 줄임말 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Abbreviation” is 줄임말, romanized as julim mal.
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 줄임말.
Pronunciation Guide
줄 (jul) sounds like 'jool' as in 'jewel'. 임 (im) sounds like 'eem' as in 'team'. 말 (mal) sounds like 'mahl' as in 'mall'. Combine them as 'jool-eem-mahl'.
More Example Sentences
An older person expressing difficulty understanding youth slang.
요즘 애들은 줄임말을 너무 많이 써서 못 알아듣겠어.
Kids these days use so many abbreviations, I can't understand them.
Discussing trends in K-POP music.
K-POP 가사에도 줄임말이 자주 나와요.
Abbreviations often appear in K-POP lyrics too.
Asking for clarification on a new or unfamiliar term.
이 단어의 줄임말은 뭐야?
What's the abbreviation for this word?
Cultural Context
줄임말 (julim mal) are extremely prevalent in modern Korean, especially in online communication, K-dramas, and K-pop lyrics. They often combine the first syllables of two or more words (e.g., '핵인싸' from '핵' (nuclear/super) + '인사이더' (insider)). Understanding 줄임말 is key to grasping contemporary Korean youth culture and internet slang, as they evolve rapidly, making it a dynamic part of the language.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 줄임말 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
줄임말 쓰다
To use abbreviations
줄임말 배우다
To learn abbreviations
줄임말 사전
Abbreviation dictionary
Related Expressions
신조어
sinjoeo
Neologism, new word
은어
euneo
Slang, jargon (often specific to a group)
축약어
chukyageo
Abbreviation (more formal/linguistic term)
유행어
yuhaengeo
Buzzword, popular phrase
More Slang Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Abbreviation and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
