What does 응 (eung) mean?
- 응eung
Yeah / Uh-huh
Casual: friends and people younger than you
응 (eung) means "Yeah" or "Uh-huh" in casual Korean. It is the everyday way to say yes to friends, family and younger people. Said with a rising tone, 응? means "Huh?"
Where it comes from
응 is a simple answer word, the casual partner of the polite 네.
How to use 응
Use 응 to answer yes, to show you are listening, or to agree with a plan. It is extremely common in conversations and texts between friends, couples and family.
응 is casual, so do not use it with teachers, bosses or older people you are not close to. Say 네 instead. Using 응 with an elder can sound disrespectful.
In texts people often write ㅇㅇ, or the cuter 웅. A rising 응? means you did not hear or did not understand.
Examples
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A friend asks if dinner at seven works
Your mom calls to ask if you are coming
You did not hear what your friend said
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 네 | Yes | Polite version for elders and strangers. |
| 응? | Huh? | Rising tone when you did not hear or understand. |
| 응응 | Yeah yeah | Doubled, eager agreement. |
| 웅 | Yeah (cute) | Playful spelling in texts. |
| ㅇㅇ | Yeah | Texting shorthand for 응. |
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between eung and ne?
Both mean yes. 응 is casual, for friends and younger people. 네 is polite, for elders and strangers.
Is it rude to say eung to older people?
Usually, yes. Unless you are very close, say 네 to anyone older than you.
What does ㅇㅇ mean?
ㅇㅇ is the texting shorthand for 응, so it means "yeah" or "ok".