Dating slang

An abbreviation of 'push and pull,' it usually refers to the psychological game of pushing and pulling in a romantic relationship.

"When I do it, it's romance; when you do it, it's cheating" (shortened) — a double standard, judging the same behavior differently depending on who's doing it.

It is the subtle emotion exchanged before dating someone you have feelings for.

Originally short for "you won't get a girlfriend" (an-saenggyeoyo). On the far-right forum Ilbe, it took on a mocking tone, sometimes paired with a faux-dialect phrase implying "things weren't like this in the old days."

Shortened way of saying "the girl I have a crush on."

From the American idiom for a green traffic signal meaning "go ahead/permission granted." Caught on in Korean online communities specifically for signaling romantic interest or receptiveness between two people.

It is a trending term that originated from Girlfriend's Umji saying to fans at the filming of the 2017 Lunar New Year Idol Star Athletics Championships, "Anyone who received two packets of ketchup! Confession of conscience!", meaning a confession about a trivial matter.

It is an abbreviation for "male friend." It refers to a friend who is simply male, without any romantic feelings. Sometimes, this is interpreted the other way around and used to tease someone by calling them a "friend who loves men."

One True Pairing — your favourite couple to ship.

Suddenly cutting off all contact with someone without explanation.

A joke word for the stage just before dating: closer than a crush, not official yet. "Sa-" (four) in "dating" dropped to "sam-" (three).

"Girlfriend," shortened.

"Guy/girl friend" who's just a friend (shortened from "male/female person friend") — someone of the opposite sex you're friends with, with zero romantic feelings involved.

"Fishpond management" — keeping several people on a string with just enough attention to keep them interested, usually in the context of romantic prospects.

She is simply a female friend, without any romantic feelings for her.

Short for "delusional" — holding hopeful beliefs that don't match reality, often about a crush or a celebrity. Often said with pride: "delulu is the solulu."

Describes great chemistry, rapport, or compatibility between people — from English "chemistry."

The early phase of getting to know someone romantically, before dating.

An abbreviation for 'Romance Fantasy,' a genre of novels or comics.

"Campus Couple," shortened — a couple who are both students at the same university.

Breaking up while already lined up with the next partner — like transferring to another train without waiting.

"Boyfriend," shortened.

The generation that has given up on N things — dating, marriage, children and more. Grew out of the earlier "three-give-up generation."

Charm, especially the knack for attracting someone romantically. Cut down from "charisma." "He's got unspoken rizz."

Going straight at it: showing your feelings openly instead of playing games.

"Dating" + "slump" — the stale, going-through-the-motions phase of a long relationship.

The perfect moment to confess your feelings. The "-gak" suffix marks a good opening for anything.

Short for "solo since the womb" — someone who has never been in a relationship.

Short for "pursuing an arranged encounter" — preferring blind dates, matchmaking or dating apps; the opposite of 자만추.

Short for "pursuing a natural encounter" — preferring to meet a partner organically through daily life rather than set-ups or dating apps.

A romantic relationship that's more than friends but never officially defined.

Shortened way of saying "the guy I have a crush on."

Wanting two people or characters to be in a relationship. "I ship them."

To send someone a private message, usually to flirt.

Desperately wanting something, usually romantic attention; in a sorry state.

From "flirting" — signalling interest in someone, lightly and on purpose.

Desperate for attention or romantic interest.

Sending just enough flirty messages to keep someone interested, without real commitment.

"Confession attack" — springing an unwanted love confession on someone who has no interest, leaving them awkward and uncomfortable; often used as a self-deprecating joke.

A derogatory slang term for robots and AI, from the clanking sound machines make; originally a Star Wars insult for droids. "I'm not asking some clanker for dating advice."

"No reply? Have a nice life" — a mock-dramatic breakup line used when someone is slow to text back, really meaning "text me already."

Short for "former clown" — someone (often a TV personality) who used to work as a clown, from a 2026 meme wave of adding "삐" (from 삐에로, clown) to words.

Keep it low-key; don't broadcast your business — "New relationship? Quiet on the creek." Popularized on TikTok in 2026 by rapper Saucy Santana, from the idea of staying silent while fishing.

From K-pop group NMIXX, whose songs abruptly switch genres mid-track — to suddenly flip your mood or attitude. "I totally NMIXX-ed on my boyfriend yesterday."

A term of affection for a romantic partner or someone you adore, likely a shortening of "babe" — "Dinner with bae tonight."

To develop real romantic feelings for someone, usually when you didn't plan to — "It was supposed to be casual, but I caught feels."

A secret hookup or the person you're secretly seeing — "He's not my boyfriend, he's my sneaky link."

Short for "involuntary celibate": someone, usually a man, who wants but can't find a romantic or sexual partner and blames others, especially women. Also tossed around as an insult — "He's giving incel energy."

An offensive blend of "liberal" and "-tard," used by political opponents to call a liberal or progressive stupid.

A playful name for someone with a lot of rizz — a smooth, charming flirt. "He got her number in five minutes, total rizzler."

Short for "down to f***" — interested in having sex, usually casually. A blunt term mostly seen on dating apps and in texts.

Short for "friends with benefits" — friends who also have casual sex without being in a romantic relationship. "We're not dating, we're just FWB."