빨리
"Quickly," "fast," or "hurry up!" — Korean's most-used adverb of speed and urgency.
- Meaning: "Quickly," "fast," or "hurry up!" — Korean's most-used adverb of speed and urgency.
- Pronunciation: /p͈al.li/ (ppalli)
- Part of speech: adverb
- Formality: Neutral — works in most everyday settings.
- Literal: fast (adverb)
What does 빨리 mean?
빨리 (ppalli) means "quickly" or "hurry up" and is one of the most-spoken words in everyday Korean. As an adverb it modifies verbs ("빨리 가" = "go quickly"). As an exclamation it commands haste ("빨리!" = "hurry!"). Korean culture's reputation for "빨리빨리" (ppalli-ppalli, "quickly-quickly") culture — fast service, fast delivery, fast decision-making — is built on this word. K-drama scenes use it constantly: parents shouting at kids, bosses pushing staff, characters running to catch trains. The doubled form 빨리빨리 (ppalli-ppalli) is more emphatic and slightly humorous when used self-referentially about Korean culture.
Examples in context
When to use 빨리
- Urging someone to hurry
- Describing fast action ("빨리 먹어" = "eat quickly")
- Reacting to slow service or slow people
- Self-referential humor about Korean fast-paced culture
When NOT to use 빨리
- Formal speech where 신속히 (sinsokhi, "rapidly") fits better
- Polite requests — soften with "좀 빨리" (jom ppalli, "please hurry a bit")
- When you mean "early" — that is 일찍 (iljjik)
Related terms
More in K-drama core
High-frequency K-drama dialogue verbs and adjectives.
"I like you" or "I like (something)" in informal Korean — softer than 사랑해 and used for both romantic confessions and everyday preferences.
"Cool," "stylish," or "handsome" — the standard compliment for people, performances, or impressive moments.
"Pretty," "cute," or "lovely" — the standard Korean adjective for visual beauty.
"It's OK," "I'm fine," or "are you OK?" — the most-used reassurance and check-in phrase in conversational Korean.
Frequently asked questions
What does 빨리 mean in Korean?
빨리 (ppalli) means "quickly," "fast," or "hurry up!" It is one of the most-spoken adverbs in Korean, used for urgent commands, descriptions of speed, and the famous "빨리빨리" (hurry-hurry) culture.
What is "빨리빨리" Korean culture?
"빨리빨리" (ppalli-ppalli) is a popular term for Korea's fast-paced approach to daily life — fast delivery, fast service, fast Internet, fast decisions. The doubled "빨리" emphasizes urgency. Koreans often use the phrase self-referentially to describe both the strengths and stresses of Korean efficiency culture.
Is 빨리 rude?
Standalone "빨리!" can sound demanding. Soften it with 좀 (jom): "좀 빨리" sounds more like "please hurry a bit." In service settings, the polite form 빨리 좀 해주세요 (ppalli jom haejuseyo, "please do it quickly") works.
How is 빨리 pronounced?
빨리 is pronounced [p͈al.li] — "ppal-li" with a tense doubled P at the start (sharper and faster than English P) and a clear double-L bridge between syllables. Two syllables, both light.
More Korean slang?
Browse the full Korean Slang Dictionary or read the deep-dive: Korean Slang Ultimate Guide.