· Slangdunk Editors
What does 존버 (jonbeo) mean? The rough-edged pep talk novelist Lee Oisoo left Korea
존버 (jonbeo) is Korean slang for hanging on no matter how hard it gets, built from the vulgar intensifier 존나 and 버티다 (to endure). Novelist Lee Oisoo made it famous, explaining in a 2012 interview that his “존버 spirit” was short for “hang on like hell.”
At a glance
- Meaning
- Short for 존나 버티기, “hanging on like hell”: refusing to give up however hard it gets. In investing, holding on instead of selling at a loss.
- Origin
- Novelist Lee Oisoo popularized it by urging young people to keep their “존버 spirit,” and explained in a 2012 Etoday interview that it was short for “hang on like hell.” Who first coined it is unknown.
- Lee Oisoo
- He died on April 25, 2022. News outlets remembered him by the nickname 존버 (YTN).
- Careful
- It comes from the vulgar intensifier 존나. Fine among friends; avoid it in formal settings or with superiors.
Two years into his job hunt, a son says at dinner, “Dad, I'm just going to 존버.” He assumes his father won't get it. But Dad laughs first. The characters are made up; every fact in their conversation is sourced.
What does 존버 mean? This time, Dad explains
- Son (26)You're laughing — so you know what 존버 means?
- Dad (58)Sure. Hanging on like hell. In my day it was the novelist Lee Oisoo who made it famous.
- Son (26)Lee Oisoo? The writer?
- Dad (58)Yes. He said it himself in a 2012 interview with Etoday: “The 존버 spirit is short for ‘hang on like hell.’” He always told young people that if you don't give up, your chance will come.
- Son (26)So he invented it?
- Dad (58)Not for sure. Nobody knows who said it first. Some say it started in gaming communities, but that's never been confirmed. What's certain is that he's the one who spread it.
- Son (26)Rough word, warm meaning.
- Dad (58)He lived it, too. In a 2015 Weekly Kyunghyang interview, while he was being treated for cancer, he said the only cure for his situation was 존버. Around then he also put out a book on how to practice it, called 뚝,.
- Son (26)These days I hear it most in stock group chats. ‘Down bad, 존버-ing.’
- Dad (58)That's a different 존버. His 존버 means getting back up. The group-chat 존버 means not pressing the sell button.
- Son (26)Lol, fair. Is he still…?
- Dad (58)He died on April 25, 2022. YTN's headline was “'존버' Lee Oisoo falls asleep.” He used to say you just get back up every time you fall. So you 존버 too. Just make sure you eat.
존버
Short for “hanging on like hell”: refusing to give up however hard it gets. In investing, holding instead of selling at a loss.
In Korean: '존나 버티기'의 줄임말. 힘든 상황에서도 포기하지 않고 끝까지 버티는 것.
- 이번 프로젝트 끝날 때까지만 존버하자Let's just 존버 until this project's done.Team chat, third night of overtime
- 물렸는데 일단 존버 중. 언젠간 오르겠지I'm underwater, but I'm 존버-ing. It'll go up someday.Closing the stock app
- 존버는 승리한다Those who 존버 win.A friend's reaction to hearing they got the job
- 존버 정신으로 버텨 보겠습니다I'll hang in there with that 존버 spirit.Among friends. In a job interview, “I'll see it through” is safer
Why has 존버 lasted so long?
Sometimes “hang in there” isn't enough. One rough prefix lets 존버 carry the gritted teeth too. It also mattered that an elder like Lee Oisoo used it as encouragement: a word born from a swear became a word of comfort. As long as there are job hunts, exams, offices and stock markets to survive, it won't retire. Say the same spirit more politely and you get 중꺾마 (“what matters is a heart that doesn't break”); the sigh of someone who didn't hang on is 벼락거지 (“suddenly poor”).
존버 (jonbeo): frequently asked questions
Q. What does 존버 mean?
It's short for 존나 버티기, “hanging on like hell”: refusing to give up however hard things get. In investing, it means holding instead of selling at a loss.
Q. Who coined 존버?
The coiner is unknown. Novelist Lee Oisoo spread it by preaching the “존버 spirit,” and in a 2012 Etoday interview explained it as short for “hang on like hell.” A theory that it began in gaming communities is unconfirmed.
Q. Is 존버 a swear word?
It comes from the vulgar intensifier 존나, so it isn't polite. It's common among friends and online, but in formal settings or with superiors, say 끝까지 버티다 (“see it through”) instead.
Q. What's 존버 in English?
“Hang in there,” “tough it out” or “grind it out” come close. In investing, 존버 is nearly identical to the crypto slang “HODL” (hold on and don't sell).
Q. What does “존버는 승리한다” mean?
“Those who hang on win.” It echoes Lee Oisoo's message that your chance comes as long as you don't give up.
So: 존버 is the kindest pep talk delivered in the roughest words. That night the son ordered one of Lee Oisoo's books. Estimated delivery: three days. Until then, 존버. If you have a sharper definition, add it to the 존버 entry in the dictionary.
Sources
See ‘존버’ in the dictionary — more definitions, examples, and your own take.
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