Korean Dictionary
How to say "Tangjinjam" in Korean
“Tangjinjam” in Korean is 탕진잼 (pronounced "Tangjinjam").
탕진잼
Tangjinjam
Usage & Context
탕진잼 combines 탕진 (to splurge and spend all money) and 잼 (fun) to describe the guilty pleasure of spending recklessly. Korean millennials coined this term to describe impulse buying as a stress-relief activity. It reflects the tension between saving pressures and the desire for immediate gratification.
Example Sentence
월급날마다 탕진잼으로 다 써버려.
Every payday I splurge and spend it all for the fun of it.
How to use 탕진잼 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Tangjinjam” is 탕진잼, romanized as Tangjinjam.
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 탕진잼.
Pronunciation Guide
탕 (tang) sounds like 'tang' in 'tangerine'. 진 (jin) is like 'jin' in 'gin'. 잼 (jaem) is pronounced like the English word 'jam'. Put it together smoothly: Tang-jin-jam.
More Example Sentences
A friend lamenting their spending habits after a stressful period.
스트레스 풀려고 탕진잼 했더니 통장이 텅 비었어.
I splurged for fun to relieve stress, and now my bank account is empty.
Someone making a personal resolution to be more financially responsible.
이번 달 월급은 탕진잼 안 하고 저축해야지.
This month's salary, I should save it instead of splurging for fun.
Describing a fun and indulgent shopping trip with friends.
친구들이랑 쇼핑하면서 탕진잼 제대로 즐겼어.
I really enjoyed splurging for fun while shopping with friends.
Cultural Context
탕진잼 is a portmanteau of 탕진 (to squander/splurge all money) and 잼 (fun, from English 'jam'). It perfectly captures the guilty pleasure of spending money recklessly, often as a form of stress relief or instant gratification. Popular among Korean millennials and Gen Z, it reflects a 'YOLO' (You Only Live Once) mindset in a society with high financial pressures, where small, immediate pleasures are sought despite long-term financial goals.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 탕진잼 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
탕진잼 하다
to splurge for fun
탕진잼 제대로 즐기다
to properly enjoy splurging for fun
탕진잼의 유혹
the temptation of splurging for fun
Related Expressions
시발비용
sibal biyong
'Fuck it' cost (spending money out of anger/frustration)
소확행
sowhakhaeng
Small but certain happiness (often an opposite concept)
플렉스
peullekseu
Flex (showing off wealth, often by spending)
지름신
jireumsin
Shopping god (the urge to buy)
More Slang Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Tangjinjam and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
