노잼 vs 꿀잼: Master Korean Fun Slang Like a Native
Learn the meaning of 노잼 and 꿀잼, the essential Korean slang for 'boring' and 'fun'. Master these chat terms with examples and politeness tips.
Ever felt like a conversation was dragging and wanted to say "That's so boring" without sounding like a textbook? Use 노잼nojaem to keep it real.
Instead of the formal 재미없어요jaemieopseoyo, try: 아, 진짜 노잼.a, jinjja nojaem.
10-second rule
Use 노잼nojaem when something is boring or a joke fails, and 꿀잼kkuljaem when something is incredibly fun or "sweet."
Tone ladder (casual → polite)
노잼nojaem — Super casual (friends only)재미없어jaemieopseo — Casual/Neutral재미없어요jaemieopseoyo — Polite/Standard
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
노잼nojaem is a compound of the English word "No" and the first syllable of 재미jaemi (fun). It is the ultimate way to shut down a bad joke or describe a dull movie. Be careful: using this with a boss or teacher makes you sound very rude or overly childish.
Natural alternatives
지루해jiruhae — It's tedious/boring.썰렁해sseolreonghae — That joke was "chilly" (lame).
Example (chat)
어제 본 영화 어땠어?eoje bon yeonghwa eottaesseo? — How was the movie you saw yesterday?완전 노잼... 돈 아까워.wanjeon nojaem... don akkawo. — Totally boring... a waste of money.
Example (work)
Avoid using 노잼nojaem here. Instead, use: 조금 지루한 면이 있네요.jogeum jiruhan myeoni itneyo. — It's a bit on the tedious side.
꿀잼kkuljaem combines 꿀kkul (honey) with 재미jaemi (fun). It implies something is so fun it's as sweet as honey. It's the perfect reaction to a plot twist in a K-drama or a great night out with friends.
Natural alternatives
대박daebak — Awesome/Amazing.존잼jonjaem — (Risky/Vulgar) Extremely fun.
Example (chat)
이번 드라마 봤어?ibeon deurama bwasseo? — Did you see this drama?응, 진짜 꿀잼이야!eung, jinjja kkuljaemiya! — Yeah, it's seriously so fun!
Example (work)
In a relaxed office, you might say: 오늘 워크숍 꿀잼이었어요.oneul wokeusyop kkuljaemieosseoyo. — Today's workshop was really fun.
Rewrite drill
Rewrite these messages to be more natural or polite depending on the context.
- (To a friend)
재미가 하나도 없어요.jaemiga hanado eopseoyo. →진짜 노잼이야.jinjja nojaemiya. - (To a sibling)
이 게임은 정말 재미있어.i geimeun jeongmal jaemiisseo. →이 게임 꿀잼임.i geim kkuljaemim. - (To a teacher)
그 영화 노잼이었어요.geu yeonghwa nojaemieosseoyo. →그 영화는 조금 지루했어요.geu yeonghwaneun jogeum jiruhaesseoyo. - (In a group chat)
내 농담 어때?nae nongdam eottae? (Response: It's lame) →완전 노잼.wanjeon nojaem. - (To a senior)
어제 파티 꿀잼!eoje pati kkuljaem! →어제 파티 정말 즐거웠습니다.eoje pati jeongmal jeulgeowotseupnida.
Mini dialogues (with EN)
Next steps
- Try commenting
꿀잼kkuljaem on a Korean friend's Instagram post that looks exciting. - Next time a friend tells a bad joke, just say
노잼nojaem and see their reaction!
