Koreans are very fond of combining words and making new terms to describe the current situation, their mood and even others amongst other things. Dating in Korea is not left alone with this unique linguistic approach. If you date a Korean, he or she will use these terms and it will help to know them!
1. Bolmae (볼매)
This term is a combination of the words 볼수록 (The more you look) and 매력있다 (charming).
It is used to describe someone who isn’t immediately attractive to the person but as time goes by and you learn more about them – they are more attractive and charming.
Below is the pronunciation of the term.
2. Mossol (모쏠)
This term is a combination of the words 모태 (birth) and 솔로 (solo).
It is used to describe someone who has never had a relationship in their entire life. It is often used playfully even if it is true and is even used amongst friends.
Below is the pronunciation of the term.
3. Geumssabba (금사빠)
This term is a combination of the words 금방 (Quickly), 사랑 (Love), and 빠진다 (Fall in).
It is used to describe someone who falls in love very quickly. Even though it shares similarities to the saying: love at first sight – it is slightly different.
Geumssabba is used more when the person falls in love quickly and the relationship that comes from that love quickly dies as well.
Below is the pronunciation of the term.
4. Pumjeolnam / Pumjeolnyeo (품절남/녀)
This term is a combination of the words 품절 (Sold out) and 남 (Man) or 녀(Woman).
It is used to describe someone who is unavailable in the dating market hence the term “sold out” to describe the person.
It is mostly used when the person is getting married or is married and not when someone’s in a relationship.
Below is the pronunciation of the term.
5. Choshiknam / Gunomulnyeo (초식남 /건어물녀)
The term for men is a combination of the words 초식 (Grazing) and 남 (Man). The term for women is a combination of the words 건어물 (Stockfish) and 녀 (Woman.)
The term for men in the past was used to describe a man who was like a herbivorous animal, which is why the term grazing is used.
However, now the term is used to describe a man who has no interest in love.
These men are more interested in their own life and their self-improvement and find spending money on love to be a waste.
The term for women is used to describe a woman is similar to the male counterpart of the phrase.
The phrase describes a woman who has zero interest in anything except their own career. They usually have no hobbies and are lifeless hence the use of stockfish.
Below is the pronunciation of the term.
6. Dolsing (돌싱)
This term is a combination of the words 돌아온 (Returned) and 싱글 (Single).
It is used to describe someone who got a divorce and has “returned” to single life.
Below is the pronunciation of the term.
7. Ssum (썸)
This term comes from shortening the English word: something.
It is used when there’s “something” between two people who look like they might date but haven’t done anything official yet.
Below is the pronunciation of the term.
8. Namsachin / Yeosachin (남사친 / 여사친)
This term is a combination of the words 남자/여자 (Man/Woman), 사람 (Person), and 친구 (Friend).
It is used to describe a friend of the opposite sex who isn’t in a relationship with you but happens to be of the opposite sex and is your friend.
For example, “he” might not be your boyfriend but he is your boy-person-friend.
Below is the pronunciation of the term.
9. Nweseknam / Nweseknyeo (뇌섹남/녀)
This term is a combination of the words 뇌 (Brain), 섹시 (Sexy), and 남 (Man) or 녀(Woman).
It is used to describe someone who is attractive because they are intelligent which is why “sexy brain” is used.
Below is the pronunciation of the term.
10. Mildang (밀당)
This term is a combination of the words 밀고 (Pushing) and 당기다 (Pulling).
It is used to basically describe “playing hard to get.” One might text (pushing) and one might reply coldly or a bit late (pulling).
Mildang is one of the most commonly used terms in Korean dating.
It is often used because it is thought to be absolutely necessary for relationships to grow or completely counteractive as there are two spectrums in views.
Below is the pronunciation of the term.
