What does 빨리 (ppalli) mean?
- 빨리ppalli
Quickly / Hurry
Fine in most situations
빨리 (ppalli) means "quickly" or "hurry" in Korean. Said on its own, 빨리! is a casual "hurry up!" It is also an everyday word in any sentence that needs "fast."
Where it comes from
It is the adverb form of 빠르다 (ppareuda), "to be fast."
How to use 빨리
빨리 alone or doubled as 빨리빨리 is a casual command to hurry, used with friends, family and children.
The word itself fits any level of politeness. Add a polite verb to use it with anyone: 빨리 오세요 (please come quickly).
빨리빨리 is also known as a nickname for Korea's fast-paced culture: quick delivery, quick service and little patience for waiting.
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
Calling a friend who is running late
A parent rushing kids out the door
Asking someone to come urgently
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 빨리빨리 | Hurry, hurry | Also describes Korea's fast-paced culture. |
| 빨리 와 | Come quick | Casual. |
| 빨리 해 | Hurry up and do it | Casual, can sound pushy. |
| 얼른 | Quickly | A softer synonym. |
| 천천히 | Slowly | The opposite. |
Questions learners ask
What does ppalli ppalli mean?
It means "hurry, hurry" and is also used to describe Korean culture's love of speed and efficiency.
Is ppalli rude?
The word is neutral. Saying 빨리! as a command is casual, so with older people use 빨리 와 주세요 or a softer phrase.