What Does 진짜 (Jinjja) Mean in Korean?
Written and reviewed by Jun and Jin, native Korean speakers
Published · Updated · How we write & review
After this page, you can use 진짜 (jinjja) as "really?", as an intensifier and as "real" — and swap in 정말 when you need to.
10-second answer
What does Jinjja mean?
진짜 (jinjja) means "real" or "really." You'll hear it three ways: as a question (진짜? "Really?"), as an intensifier (진짜 맛있어, jinjja masisseo, "really delicious"), and as a noun/adjective meaning genuine (진짜 가죽, jinjja gajuk, "real leather"). The polite version of the question is 진짜요? (jinjjayo)
Quick check — did that land?
1. Your friend's mom tells you surprising news. How do you say "Really?" politely?
Think 진짜 only means “really?”
Quick Examples
진짜? 언제?
jinjja? eonje?
Really? When?
이거 진짜 맛있어요.
igeo jinjja masisseoyo.
This is really delicious.
이 가방 진짜예요?
i gabang jinjja-yeyo?
Is this bag real (genuine)?
진짜 as a noun: the real thing. Opposite: 가짜 (fake).
아 진짜!
a jinjja!
Ugh, seriously!
Frustrated exclamation — very common in dramas.
A note on spelling. The official romanization of 진짜 is jinjja, but you'll also see it written jinja, chinja or jincha. They're all the same word.
See also: 대박 (daebak) — awesome / no way
The Three Uses
| Use | Pattern | English feel |
|---|---|---|
| Reaction question | 진짜? / 진짜요? | Really? / Seriously? |
| Intensifier | 진짜 + adjective/verb | really / so / seriously |
| Genuine (noun/modifier) | 진짜(예요) / 진짜 + noun | real, the real thing |
진짜 vs 정말
정말 (jeongmal) covers almost the same ground — "really." The difference is register and texture: 진짜 feels more casual and punchy; 정말 is slightly softer and safer in polite speech. In everyday casual talk they're near-interchangeable.
정말 감사합니다.
jeongmal gamsahamnida.
Thank you very much.
In formal thanks, 정말 fits better than 진짜.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Dropping 요 with the wrong person
진짜? is casual (반말). To someone you speak politely with, say 진짜요? — the tiny 요 does a lot of work.
Mistake #2 — Overusing 아 진짜!
The frustrated 아 진짜! reads as annoyance. Charming among friends, whiny or rude in the wrong company.
Mini Quiz
2. What is the opposite of 진짜 (the noun, 'real thing')?
3. In 이 라면 진짜 매워 ("this ramyeon is jinjja spicy"), what is 진짜 doing?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
What Does 괜찮아 (Gwaenchana) Mean?
After reacting with 진짜?, the next most-heard drama word is 괜찮아 — and it has more meanings than you'd guess.
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