What does ㅠㅠ (yuyu) mean?
- ㅠㅠyuyu
Crying face / so sad
Casual: friends and people younger than you
ㅠㅠ (yuyu) is a crying face in Korean texting, used to show you are sad, disappointed, touched or whining a little. It works much like 😭 or T_T.
Where it comes from
ㅠ is the Korean vowel "yu". Its two short strokes hanging down look like tears falling from two closed eyes, so ㅠㅠ is a little face crying.
How to use ㅠㅠ
People use ㅠㅠ for big and small feelings: a failed test, a canceled plan, missing someone, or being so moved by a kind message that you could cry. It can also be a cute, whiny way to ask for something.
More ㅠ means more emotion. ㅠㅠ is the usual amount, while ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ is dramatic sobbing. ㅜㅜ is the same face with slightly different tears and is used the same way.
It is casual but not rude, so friends, family and close coworkers all see it often. In a polite message like 죄송해요 ㅠㅠ it can make an apology sound sincere and soft, but skip it in formal emails.
Examples
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Texting someone you have not seen in a while
Telling a friend about your exam
Replying to a sweet birthday message
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| ㅜㅜ | Crying face | Same meaning, slightly different tears. |
| ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ | Sobbing | A long row is very dramatic. |
| ㅠㅅㅠ | Crying cat face | A cute version with a little mouth. |
Questions learners ask
Why is ㅠㅠ a crying face?
The vowel ㅠ has two lines hanging down. Side by side, they look like two eyes with tears running down.
What is the difference between ㅠㅠ and ㅜㅜ?
There is no real difference in meaning. Both are crying faces; some people just prefer the look of one or the other.
Is ㅠㅠ always sad?
No. It is also used when you are touched, grateful, or whining playfully, for example asking a friend to buy you a snack.