What does ㄷㄷ (deol deol) mean?
- ㄷㄷdeol deol
Whoa / yikes (trembling)
Casual: friends and people younger than you
ㄷㄷ (deol deol) means "whoa" or "yikes" in Korean texting, used when something is shocking, scary or impressive. It is short for 덜덜 (deoldeol), the sound of shaking or trembling.
Where it comes from
ㄷ is the first consonant of 덜. 덜덜 is an onomatopoeia for trembling, as in 덜덜 떨다 ("to shake all over"), so ㄷㄷ is like saying "I'm shaking".
How to use ㄷㄷ
Use ㄷㄷ when you are shocked: a huge price, a scary story, a crazy score, or a really impressive skill. It can be a scared "yikes" or an amazed "whoa", depending on context.
More ㄷ means a stronger reaction. ㄷㄷㄷ is very common, and ㅎㄷㄷ, from 후덜덜, is an even bigger "I'm trembling".
It is internet slang for friends and online comments. Do not use it with people you speak politely to. Out loud, people say 헐, 와 or 대박 instead.
Examples
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Seeing the price tag on a luxury bag
Friend shares a creepy story
Friend posts an amazing game score
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| ㄷㄷㄷ | Whoa whoa | Stronger shock. |
| ㅎㄷㄷ | Holy... / I'm shaking | From 후덜덜. Even stronger. |
| 덜덜 | Shaking / trembling | The full sound word. |
| 후덜덜 | Trembling all over | Exaggerated, playful. |
Questions learners ask
What does dd mean in Korean texting?
"dd" is ㄷㄷ written in English letters. It comes from 덜덜, the sound of trembling, and means "whoa" or "yikes".
Is ㄷㄷ good or bad?
Both. It shows shock, which can be fear or amazement. Context tells you which.
What is ㅎㄷㄷ?
ㅎㄷㄷ is short for 후덜덜, an even stronger "I'm trembling". It is used for very shocking or impressive things.