TMI is a Korean chat meme borrowed from English “Too Much Information.” In Korea it’s often used lightly, like “fun extra details,” but it can also mean “that’s too personal / unnecessary.” A common trap: learners think it always sounds rude. It depends on tone and relationship.

“If/then” reply guide

If it’s harmless and funny (friends, group chat), then use ㅋㅋㅋㅋ-type energy and move on.
If it’s personal or about a third person, then set a soft boundary and redirect.
If you’re the one oversharing, then use TMI인데…tiemaiinde… to make it feel considerate.

Example reply

TMI ㅋㅋ 근데 재밌다.tiemai ㅋㅋ geunde jaemitda. — That’s TMI lol, but it’s funny.
그건 TMI야. 다른 얘기하자.geugeon tiemaiya. dareun yaegihaja. — That’s TMI. Let’s talk about something else.

`오늘의 TMI

나 방금 라면 두 개 먹었어.`

na banggeum ramyeon du gae meogeosseo.`

I just ate two ramyeon.

TMI ㅋㅋ 근데 재밌다.

tiemai ㅋㅋ geunde jaemitda.

That’s TMI lol, but it’s funny.

그건 TMI야. 다른 얘기하자.

geugeon tiemaiya. dareun yaegihaja.

That’s TMI. Let’s talk about something else.

#2memesLv 2

TMI인데…

ti-em-a-i-in-de

TMI, but…

TMI인데…tiemaiinde… is a self-warning: “This might be TMI, but…” It’s useful because you’re not accusing the other person—you’re managing your own info. It reads casual/neutral depending on your ending. Trap: saying it and then dropping a long, sensitive story can still make people uncomfortable.

“If/then” reply guide

If you want to share a small personal detail (sleep, diet, mood), then start with TMI인데…tiemaiinde….
If it’s about someone else’s private life, then don’t use this; skip the detail.

Example reply

TMI인데… 나 오늘 아침에 너무 긴장했어.tiemaiinde… na oneul achime neomu ginjanghaesseo. — TMI, but I was so nervous this morning.

TMI인데… 나 오늘 아침에 너무 긴장했어.

tiemaiinde… na oneul achime neomu ginjanghaesseo.

TMI, but I was so nervous this morning.

TMI인데 나 3분 늦었어.

tiemaiinde na 3bun neujeosseo.

TMI but I’m 3 minutes late.

TMI인데… 말 안 해도 돼?

tiemaiinde… mal an haedo dwae?

This might be TMI… do I not have to say it?

#3memesLv 2

그건 TMI야

geu-geon ti-em-a-i-ya

that’s TMI

그건 TMI야geugeon tiemaiya is the “boundary” version: “That’s TMI.” It’s direct but still common in everyday talk. To keep it kind, add a redirect right after it. Trap: saying only 그건 TMI야geugeon tiemaiya with no follow-up can feel like a shutdown.

“If/then” reply guide

If someone shares extra details that aren’t needed, then use this + redirect.
If you’re in a public space (comments, group chat), then keep it short and calm.

Example reply

그건 TMI야. 요점만 말해줘.geugeon tiemaiya. yojeomman malhaejwo. — That’s TMI. Just tell me the main point.

그건 TMI야. 요점만 말해줘.

geugeon tiemaiya. yojeomman malhaejwo.

That’s TMI. Just tell me the main point.

그건 TMI야. 우리 업무 얘기하자.

geugeon tiemaiya. uri eopmu yaegihaja.

That’s TMI. Let’s talk work.

그건 TMI야. 결과만 알려줘.

geugeon tiemaiya. gyeolgwaman alryeojwo.

That’s TMI. Just tell me the outcome.

#4memesLv 3

TMI는 여기까지

ti-em-a-i-neun yeo-gi-kka-ji

TMI stops here

TMI는 여기까지tiemaineun yeogikkaji literally means “TMI up to here.” It’s a clean closer: you’re ending the overshare segment without attacking the person. It’s especially handy when you want to stay friendly (family, date) but still stop.

“If/then” reply guide

If the conversation is drifting into details, then close and switch topics.
If you want a playful vibe, then add a light ending like ㅋㅋㅋㅋ in chats.

Example reply

TMI는 여기까지! 이제 밥 뭐 먹을래?tiemaineun yeogikkaji! ije bap mwo meogeulrae? — That’s enough TMI! What do you want to eat?

TMI는 여기까지! 이제 밥 뭐 먹을래?

tiemaineun yeogikkaji! ije bap mwo meogeulrae?

That’s enough TMI! What do you want to eat?

TMI는 여기까지 하고, 오늘 이야기로 가자.

tiemaineun yeogikkaji hago, oneul iyagiro gaja.

Let’s stop the TMI and go back to today.

TMI는 여기까지. 다음 얘기!

tiemaineun yeogikkaji. daeum yaegi!

Enough TMI. Next topic!

#5memesLv 3

TMI 말고 요약해줘

ti-em-a-i mal-go yo-yak-hae-jwo

sum it up

TMI 말고 요약해줘tiemai malgo yoyakhaejwo is a polite redirect: “Not TMI—summarize it.” It’s great for work, school, and stressed moments because it focuses on usefulness, not blame. Trap: with close friends, it can sound a bit “bossy” if your tone is too flat—soften it with 좀jom.

“If/then” reply guide

If you need the point quickly, then ask for a summary.
If you want to sound softer, then say TMI 말고 요약 좀 해줘.tiemai malgo yoyak jom haejwo.

Example reply

TMI 말고 요약 좀 해줘.tiemai malgo yoyak jom haejwo. — Not the TMI—give me a quick summary.

TMI 말고 요약해줘.

ti-em-a-i mal-go yo-yak-hae-jwo

Not the TMI—summarize it for me.

TMI 말고 요약 좀 해줘.

tiemai malgo yoyak jom haejwo.

Not the TMI—give me a quick summary.

TMI 말고 결론만 알려줘.

tiemai malgo gyeolronman alryeojwo.

Not the TMI—just tell me the conclusion.

Reply decision tree

Step 1 (Ask): Is it harmless and about the speaker’s own small stuff?
- Yes → TMI (티엠아이)tiemai (tiemai) as a playful label.
- No/Not sure → go to Step 2.
Step 2 (Redirect): Do you still want to keep the conversation going?
- Yes → 그건 TMI야geugeon tiemaiya or TMI 말고 요약해줘tiemai malgo yoyakhaejwo.
- No → go to Step 3.
Step 3 (Close): End the overshare segment cleanly.
- Use TMI는 여기까지tiemaineun yeogikkaji and switch topics.

Six mini-scenarios (playful vs boundary)

Friends (playful)

오늘의 TMI: 나 방금 라면 두 개 먹었어.oneurui tiemai: na banggeum ramyeon du gae meogeosseo. — Today’s TMI: I just ate two ramyeon.
Reply: TMI ㅋㅋ 인정.tiemai ㅋㅋ injeong. — TMI lol, fair.

Coworker (boundary)

그 사람 연애사까지 다 알게 됐어.geu saram yeonaesakkaji da alge dwaesseo. — I ended up hearing their dating history.
Reply: 그건 TMI야. 우리 업무 얘기하자.geugeon tiemaiya. uri eopmu yaegihaja. — That’s TMI. Let’s talk work.

Date (soft redirect)

전 애인이… (디테일 시작)jeon aeini… (diteil sijak) — My ex… (details start)
Reply: TMI는 여기까지 하고, 오늘 이야기로 가자.tiemaineun yeogikkaji hago, oneul iyagiro gaja. — Let’s stop the TMI and go back to today.

Group chat (keep it light)

TMI인데 나 지금 땀 엄청 나.tiemaiinde na jigeum ttam eomcheong na. — TMI but I’m sweating a lot right now.
Reply: ㅋㅋ TMI인데 공감.ㅋㅋ tiemaiinde gonggam. — lol TMI but relatable.

Family (firm but kind)

누가 누구랑 왜 싸웠는지 다 말해줄게.nuga nugurang wae ssawotneunji da malhaejulge. — I’ll tell you all the details of who fought and why.
Reply: 그건 TMI야. 그냥 결과만 알려줘.geugeon tiemaiya. geunyang gyeolgwaman alryeojwo. — That’s TMI. Just tell me the outcome.

Online comment (don’t escalate)

Comment: 내 사생활 다 털어놓을게…nae sasaenghwal da teoreonoheulge… — I’ll spill my whole private life…
Reply: TMI 말고 요약해줘.tiemai malgo yoyakhaejwo. — Not the TMI—summarize.

Common wrong → right replies

Wrong: 너 TMI야.neo tiemaiya. — sounds like “You are TMI,” labeling the person.
- Right: 그건 TMI야.geugeon tiemaiya. — labels the info, not the person.
Wrong: 조용히 해.joyonghi hae. — too harsh.
- Right: TMI는 여기까지. 다른 얘기하자.tiemaineun yeogikkaji. dareun yaegihaja. — close + redirect.
Wrong: 안 궁금해.an gunggeumhae. — can sound cold.
- Right: TMI 말고 요점만.tiemai malgo yojeomman. — focuses on the main point.

Collocations you’ll see (10)

TMI인데…tiemaiinde… — This might be TMI, but…
오늘의 TMIoneurui tiemai — today’s TMI
갑자기 TMIgapjagi tiemai — sudden TMI
TMI 방출tiemai bangchul — TMI dump
TMI 투척tiemai tucheok — throw in a TMI
TMI 주의tiemai juui — TMI warning
TMI 금지tiemai geumji — no TMI
TMI는 여기까지tiemaineun yeogikkaji — TMI stops here
그건 TMI야geugeon tiemaiya — that’s TMI
TMI 말고 요약tiemai malgo yoyak — summary, not TMI

Tiny time/number drill (fast practice)

Say it out loud as one short line each:

오늘의 TMI: 나 7시에 일어났어.oneurui tiemai: na 7sie ireonasseo. — Today’s TMI: I woke up at 7.
TMI인데… 나 3분 늦었어.tiemaiinde… na 3bun neujeosseo. — TMI but… I’m 3 minutes late.
그건 TMI야. 2개만 말해줘.geugeon tiemaiya. 2gaeman malhaejwo. — That’s TMI. Tell me just two things.
TMI는 여기까지. 10시에 보자.tiemaineun yeogikkaji. 10sie boja. — Enough TMI. See you at 10.

Copy/paste mini-dialogues (with EN)

오늘의 TMI: 나 어제 2시에 잤어.

oneurui tiemai: na eoje 2sie jasseo.

Today’s TMI: I slept at 2 yesterday.

TMI인데… 왜 이렇게 늦게 잤어?

tiemaiinde… wae ireotge neutge jasseo?

TMI, but why so late?

그 사람 가족 얘기까지 들었어.

geu saram gajok yaegikkaji deureosseo.

I even heard their family story.

그건 TMI야. 우리 얘기만 하자.

geugeon tiemaiya. uri yaegiman haja.

That’s TMI. Let’s just talk about us.

TMI인데 나 오늘 너무 피곤해.

tiemaiinde na oneul neomu pigonhae.

TMI but I’m so tired today.

TMI는 여기까지! 커피 마실래?

tiemaineun yeogikkaji! keopi masilrae?

Enough TMI! Want coffee?

Next steps

Notice whether TMI is used as “fun extra details” or “too personal.” If you’re unsure, pick the safest path: redirect with a summary request, then close the topic gently.

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