Korean word

참나

Pronunciation

Romanizationchamna

Meaning

  • interjectioncome on

Example

참나, 또 늦었어?cham na tto neu seo sseo

Come on, you're late again?

Illustration for 참나 (come on)

More examples

아 참나, 또 잊었어?a cham na tto i jeo sseo

Oh, come on, did you forget again?

Core concept

A quick, exasperated pushback when another person's behavior seems hard to accept.

Common phrases

  • 아 참나a cham na

    oh, come on

Similar words

정말cheongmal: An emphatic exclamation that affirms a fact or highlights a strong feeling.
진짜chinjja: A brief exclamation showing surprise or strong emotion with emphatic force.
아휴ahyu: A short sigh-like exclamation expressing tiredness or resignation.

Definition in Korean

어이없거나 짜증이 날 때 짧게 내는 감탄사로, 상대의 행동을 비난하거나 답답함을 나타낸다.eo i eop kkeo na jja jeung i nal ttae jjal kke nae neun kam tan sa ro sang dae ui haeng dong eul pi nan ha geo na tap tta pa meul na ta naen da

Word origin

Its exact development is uncertain, but the expression is built around 참 (cham, "really"), which gives the interjection an emphatic, exasperated force.

Usage tips

  • Among close friends, the blunt tone may sound playful, but with unfamiliar people it can seem disrespectful rather than friendly.

Word lists with this word