대박
A versatile expression meaning "awesome," "amazing," or "wow!" used to react to surprising or impressive things.
- Meaning: A versatile expression meaning "awesome," "amazing," or "wow!" used to react to surprising or impressive things.
- Pronunciation: /te.pak̚/ (daebak)
- Part of speech: interjection / noun
- Formality: Casual — for friends, family, and close peers.
- Literal: big strike / jackpot
What does 대박 mean?
대박 (daebak) is one of the most widely used Korean slang words. It started as a gambling term meaning "jackpot" or "big strike" and evolved into an all-purpose exclamation of amazement. Korean speakers use it as both an interjection ("Daebak!" = "Wow!") and a noun ("a daebak" = "a huge hit"). The word covers everything from genuine astonishment to playful surprise — what makes it different from English "wow" is that 대박 carries a sense of scale: something must feel BIG to deserve a 대박. K-pop fans, sports fans, and anyone reacting to viral news will reach for it first.
Examples in context
When to use 대박
- Reacting to surprising or impressive news
- Expressing genuine excitement with friends
- Describing a hit movie, song, restaurant, or event
- Casual chats with people of similar age
When NOT to use 대박
- Formal business presentations or interviews
- Talking with elders unless you have a close relationship
- Written reports, academic papers, or news articles (it stays casual)
Related terms
More in Reactions
Express surprise, hype, and disbelief — the most common K-drama exclamations.
An interjection used to express shock, disbelief, or "no way" — similar to "OMG" or "what?!" in English.
Means "the best," "awesome," or "cool" — used as an exclamation, suffix, or noun to praise people, things, or ideas.
Literally "crazy" — used to mean "insane (in a good way)," "no way," or "are you serious?" depending on context.
"Really," "truly," or "for real" — the most common emphasis word in everyday Korean conversation.
Frequently asked questions
What does 대박 mean in Korean?
대박 (daebak) means "awesome," "amazing," or "huge." It is used as an interjection to react to surprising or impressive things, similar to "wow" or "no way" in English. Originally a gambling term for "jackpot," it became one of the most popular Korean slang words.
Is 대박 the same as 짱?
They overlap but emphasize different things. 짱 (jjang) emphasizes being "the best" or "coolest" — you can call a person 짱. 대박 (daebak) emphasizes scale or surprise — you would call a viral event a 대박, not 짱.
How do you pronounce 대박?
대박 is pronounced [te.pak̚] — roughly "deh-bahk" with a soft, unaspirated final K. The first syllable rhymes with the English word "day," and the final K is barely released.
Can I use 대박 with my Korean boss?
No. 대박 is casual slang. Use 대단하다 (daedanhada — "remarkable") or 훌륭하다 (hullyunghada — "excellent") in formal or workplace settings instead.
More Korean slang?
Browse the full Korean Slang Dictionary or read the deep-dive: Korean Slang Ultimate Guide.