진짜 (jin-jja, jinjja) · 정말 (jeong-mal, jeongmal)
진짜 focuses more on sincerity and truth, while 정말 is mainly used for emphasis or exclamation.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Used to express truth or sincerity
When to use
truth emphasis, expressing sincerity, confirming truth
The nuance
진짜 is used to emphasize that something is true or to express sincerity. It focuses on truthfulness, mostly in spoken language.
Used to express emphasis, admiration, or surprise
When to use
expressing admiration, expressing surprise, strong emphasis
The nuance
정말 is used to strongly express a situation or emotion, often for admiration or surprise. It is suitable for a wider range of emotional expressions than 진짜.
진짜 너 오늘 열심히 일했네.
jin-jja neo o-neul yeol-sim-hi il-haess-ne., jin jja neo o neul yeol sim hi il haess ne.
Natural sentence emphasizing truth and sincerity.
정말 너 오늘 열심히 일했네.
jeong-mal neo o-neul yeol-sim-hi il-haess-ne., jeong mal neo o neul yeol sim hi il haess ne.
Natural sentence expressing admiration and emphasis.
진짜 예뻐!
jin-jja ye-ppeo!, jin jja ye ppeo!
Using 진짜 to sincerely say 'pretty'.
정말 예뻐!
jeong-mal ye-ppeo!, jeong mal ye ppeo!
Natural expression of admiration and emphasis.
진짜 감탄스럽다!
jin-jja gam-tan-seu-reop-da!, jin jja gam tan seu reop da!
진짜 is less suitable for admiration; use 정말 instead.
정말 사실이야?
jeong-mal sa-sil-i-ya?, jeong mal sa sil i ya?
For confirming truth, 진짜 is more natural.
진짜 놀랐어!
jin-jja nol-rass-eo!, jin jja nol rass eo!
For expressing surprise, 정말 is more suitable.
정말 진실이야.
jeong-mal jin-sil-i-ya., jeong mal jin sil i ya.
For emphasizing truth, 진짜 is more natural.
Which word do you use to emphasize truth?
Which word is appropriate for expressing admiration or surprise?
Fill in the blank: “___ 너 오늘 너무 멋져!”
Which word fits: “___ 그 영화 재미있었어?” to ask about truth?
What does it mean?
