What does ㄹㅇ (real) mean?
- ㄹㅇreal
For real / seriously
Casual: friends and people younger than you
ㄹㅇ (real) means "for real" or "seriously" in Korean texting. It is short for 리얼 (rieol), the English word "real" written in Korean.
Where it comes from
ㄹ and ㅇ are the first consonants of 리 and 얼. The phrase ㄹㅇ루 comes from 리얼로, "for real".
How to use ㄹㅇ
Use ㄹㅇ to stress that something is true, or to agree strongly with a friend. It works a lot like 진짜 ("really"), only more slangy. On its own, ㄹㅇ as a reply means "so true".
ㄹㅇ루 is a fun, extra-slangy way to say "seriously" or "for real", popular with younger people. You will also see 레알, another playful spelling of "real".
This is youth and internet slang. Use it with friends only, never with a boss, teacher or older relative. In speech or polite text, 진짜 or 정말 is the normal word.
Examples
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Eating at a restaurant a friend recommended
Agreeing with a friend's opinion
Complaining after a long day
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| ㄹㅇ루 | Seriously / for real | From 리얼로. Extra slangy. |
| 레알 | Real / for real | Playful spelling of "real". |
| 진짜 | Really | Normal everyday word. |
| ㄹㅇ ㅇㅈ | So true, agreed | Very common combo. |
Questions learners ask
What does rl mean in Korean texting?
"rl" is ㄹㅇ written in English letters. It stands for 리얼, "real", and means "for real" or "seriously".
What does ㄹㅇ루 mean?
It comes from 리얼로, "for real". It is just a slangier way of saying "seriously".
Is ㄹㅇ the same as 진짜?
They mean almost the same thing. 진짜 is a normal word anyone can say, while ㄹㅇ is texting slang for friends.