How to say “Wow” in Korean
- 와wa
Wow
"Wow" in Korean is 와 (wa), and you can stretch it out as 와~ for more feeling. 우와 (uwa) is a bigger, cuter wow, and 대박 (daebak) is the slangy "that's amazing".
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 와 wa | Any | The basic wow. Works with anyone, in any situation. |
| 우와 uwa | Any | A bigger, more excited wow. Sounds a little cute or childlike. |
| 대박 daebak | Casual | "Amazing!" or "no way!" Casual slang, very common with friends. |
| 멋있다 meositda | Casual | "That's cool!" Said about something or someone impressive. Polite: 멋있어요 (meosisseoyo). |
| 헐 heol | Casual | A shocked wow, closer to "whoa, what?" Young people's slang. |
Examples
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Seeing a beautiful view
Looking out the window in winter
Reacting politely to a coworker's news
Tips
Koreans often stretch 와 into a long "waaa" when they are really impressed. In texts you will see it written 와~ or 와아.
대박 is the go-to word for "awesome" among friends, but it is slang. With your boss or an older stranger, a simple 와 or 와, 멋있어요 is better.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between 와 and 우와?
Both mean "wow". 우와 is louder and more excited, and it can sound a little cute, the way a child would say it.
Can I say 대박 to older people?
It is slang, so it can sound too casual. Many people use it lightly with friendly coworkers, but 와 is the safer choice.