아싸 and 인싸: Understanding Korean Social Slang
Master the meaning of 아싸 (Outsider) and 인싸 (Insider). Learn how to use these essential Korean social terms naturally in chat and daily life.
Ever felt like the life of the party or the one chilling in the corner? Koreans have specific words for that.
You want to say: "I'm such a loner today."
Natural Korean: 나 완전 아싸 같아.na wanjeon assa gata.
10-second rule
Use 아싸assa when referring to someone who stays outside the social circle, and 인싸inssa for someone popular or trendy who is always at the center of the group.
Tone ladder (casual → polite)
나 아싸야.na assaya. (Casual - to friends)저는 아싸인 편이에요.jeoneun assain pyeonieyo. (Neutral - polite ending)저는 혼자 있는 것을 좋아하는 편입니다.jeoneun honja itneun geoseul johahaneun pyeonipnida. (Formal - polite/professional)
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
아싸assa is a shortened version of the English word "Outsider" (아웃사이더). It refers to someone who doesn't fit in, prefers being alone, or is socially awkward. While it used to be slightly negative, many people now use it self-deprecatingly to describe their introverted lifestyle.
Natural alternatives
집순이 / 집돌이jipsuni / jipdori — Homebody (female/male)혼공족hongongjok — Someone who likes studying alone
Example (chat)
오늘 파티 갈 거야?oneul pati gal geoya? — Are you going to the party today?아니, 나 아싸라서 그냥 집에 있을래.ani, na assaraseo geunyang jibe isseulrae. — No, I'm an 'assa' so I'll just stay home.
Example (work)
점심 같이 드실래요?jeomsim gati deusilraeyo? — Would you like to have lunch together?아, 저는 오늘 혼자 먹는 게 편해서요. 제가 좀 아싸 기질이 있거든요.a, jeoneun oneul honja meokneun ge pyeonhaeseoyo. jega jom assa gijiri itgeodeunyo. — Oh, I feel more comfortable eating alone today. I have a bit of an 'outsider' streak.
인싸inssa comes from "Insider" (인사이더). This is the person who knows all the latest memes, has a huge friend group, and is always invited to everything. If something is very popular, it is often called an 인싸템inssatem (insider item).
Natural alternatives
핵인싸haeginssa — A "super" insider (extreme version)유행에 민감한 사람yuhaee mingamhan saram — Someone sensitive to trends
Example (chat)
와, 너 그 노래도 알아? 진짜 인싸네!wa, neo geu noraedo ara? jinjja inssane! — Wow, you know that song too? You're such an insider!당연하지, 요즘 이게 유행이잖아.dayeonhaji, yojeum ige yuhaeijanha. — Of course, it's trendy these days.
Example (work)
김 대리님은 모르는 맛집이 없네요.gim daerinimeun moreuneun matjibi eopneyo. — Manager Kim knows every good restaurant.역시 우리 팀 최고의 인싸이십니다.yeoksi uri tim choegoui inssaisipnida. — As expected, you are our team's top insider.
Rewrite drill
Rewrite these casual thoughts into more natural or polite Korean.
- I am a loner. (Polite) ->
저는 혼자 있는 걸 좋아해요.jeoneun honja itneun geol johahaeyo. - You are so popular! (Casual) ->
너 진짜 인싸다!neo jinjja inssada! - I don't like big groups. (Neutral) ->
저는 북적거리는 건 별로 안 좋아해요.jeoneun bukjeokgeorineun geon byeolro an johahaeyo. - That hat is trendy. (Slang) ->
그 모자 완전 인싸템인데?geu moja wanjeon inssateminde? - He has many friends. (Natural) ->
그 사람은 인싸라서 친구가 많아요.geu sarameun inssaraseo chinguga manhayo.
Mini dialogues (with EN)
Next steps
- Identify yourself: Are you an
아싸assa or an인싸inssa? Try writing a sentence in the comments using the tone ladder. - Spot the 'Inssa-tem': Look at Korean social media and find one item labeled as an
인싸템inssatem. What is it?
