Korean Dictionary
How to say "Not Funny" in Korean
“Not Funny” in Korean is 스불재 (pronounced "sbuljae").
스불재
sbuljae
Usage & Context
Abbreviation meaning something is not funny or amusing. Used to criticize jokes or humor that falls flat.
Example Sentence
그 농담 스불재야.
That joke is not funny.
How to use 스불재 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Not Funny” is 스불재, romanized as sbuljae.
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 스불재.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "스불재" is pronounced "seu-bul-jae." "스" sounds like "suh" in "sugar." "불" sounds like "bool" as in "bull." "재" sounds like "jae" as in "jaye." The 's' in 'seu' is light, and the 'l' in 'bul' is a clear 'l' sound.
More Example Sentences
Criticizing a comedian's performance for failing to amuse.
그 개그맨 농담은 스불재였어.
That comedian's joke was not funny.
Describing a group's unenthusiastic reaction to a bad joke.
친구가 던진 아재 개그에 다들 스불재 반응이었어.
Everyone reacted with 'not funny' to the dad joke my friend told.
Self-deprecating comment after a joke falls flat.
내 드립이 스불재였나 봐. 아무도 안 웃네.
My joke must have been 'not funny.' No one laughed.
Cultural Context
"스불재" is an abbreviation of "스스로 불러온 재앙" (seuseuro bulleon on jaeang), meaning "a disaster brought upon oneself." While its literal meaning is "self-inflicted disaster," it's humorously repurposed in slang to mean "not funny" or "cringey" when someone makes a bad joke or an awkward situation arises from their own actions. It's often used in online comments or among friends to playfully mock someone's failed attempt at humor, especially when a joke is so bad it creates an uncomfortable silence or a "disaster" of laughter.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 스불재 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
스불재 드립
A 'not funny' joke/quip
이거 스불재인데?
This is 'not funny,' isn't it?
스불재 각
'Not funny' vibe/situation (indicating a joke is likely to fail)
Related Expressions
노잼
nojaem
No fun, boring (from 'no' + '재미' (jaemi, fun))
아재 개그
ajae gaegue
Dad joke (often considered unfunny by younger generations)
썰렁하다
sseolleonghada
To be chilly/awkward (describes a joke that falls flat)
개그 욕심
gaegue yoksim
Desire to be funny (often used when someone tries too hard)
More Slang Words
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