What does 셀카 (selca) mean?
- 셀카selca
Selfie
Fine in most situations
셀카 (selca) is the Korean word for a selfie, a photo you take of yourself. It is everyday Korean that everyone uses, from teens to grandparents, and K-pop fans often use "selca" in English too.
Where it comes from
It is a Korean-made blend of the English words "self" and "camera" (셀프 + 카메라). It was used in Korea before "selfie" became common in English.
How to use 셀카
The common verb is 셀카 찍다, "to take a selfie". 셀카봉 is a selfie stick, and people talk about their best angle, sometimes called 얼짱 각도 (ulzzang angle).
셀카 is neutral and fine in any situation. You can ask a stranger at a fan event 같이 셀카 찍어도 돼요? ("Can I take a selfie with you?").
A photo someone else takes of you is just 사진 (photo), not 셀카.
Examples
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At a cafe with a friend
Texting someone you're dating
Asking a new acquaintance politely
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 셀카 찍다 | To take a selfie | The usual verb phrase. |
| 셀카봉 | Selfie stick | 봉 means stick or pole. |
| 셀스타그램 | Selfie post | Hashtag-style word for posting selfies on Instagram. |
| 얼짱 각도 | Ulzzang angle | The flattering high selfie angle. |
Questions learners ask
What does selca mean?
It means selfie. It comes from "self" + "camera" and is written 셀카 in Korean.
Is selca slang or normal Korean?
It started as a coined word, but it is now ordinary Korean that people of all ages use.
How do you say take a selfie in Korean?
셀카 찍다. To suggest it to a friend, say 셀카 찍자 ("Let's take a selfie").