은어 (eun-eo, euneo) · 속어 (sok-eo, sokeo)
은어 refers to jargon used within specific groups, while 속어 is informal, sometimes coarse slang used more broadly.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Specialized informal terms used exclusively within particular groups or professions
When to use
professional jargon, in-group communication, secretive expressions
The nuance
은어 is used only within specific groups and may be hard for outsiders to understand.
Informal language used in everyday speech, sometimes coarse or vulgar slang
When to use
casual conversation, between friends, informal expressions
The nuance
속어 is commonly used in casual conversation but inappropriate in formal settings.
⭕ 직장에서 동료들끼리 사용하는 은어를 배우면 소통이 더 원활해진다.
⭕ jik-jang-e-seo dong-ryo-deul-kki-ri sa-yong-ha-neun eun-eo-reul bae-u-myeon so-tong-i deo won-hwal-hae-jin-da., ⭕ jik jang e seo dong ryo deul kki ri sa yong ha neun eun eo reul bae u myeon so tong i deo won hwal hae jin da.
은어 is appropriate among colleagues as it is specialized jargon within a group.
❌ 친구들과 대화할 때 은어를 너무 많이 쓰면 이해하기 어렵다.
❌ chin-gu-deul-gwa dae-hwa-hal ttae eun-eo-reul neo-mu man-i sseu-myeon i-hae-ha-gi eo-ryeop-da., ❌ chin gu deul gwa dae hwa hal ttae eun eo reul neo mu man i sseu myeon i hae ha gi eo ryeop da.
은어 is specialized jargon, so it’s inappropriate for general friend conversations; 속어 fits better.
❌ 직장에서 상사에게 속어를 사용하면 무례하게 들린다.
❌ jik-jang-e-seo sang-sa-e-ge sok-eo-reul sa-yong-ha-myeon mu-rye-ha-ge deul-rin-da., ❌ jik jang e seo sang sa e ge sok eo reul sa yong ha myeon mu rye ha ge deul rin da.
속어 is informal and inappropriate for superiors at work; 은어 is better.
⭕ 경찰관들이 사용하는 은어는 일반인이 이해하기 어렵다.
⭕ gyeong-chal-gwan-deul-i sa-yong-ha-neun eun-eo-neun il-ban-in-i i-hae-ha-gi eo-ryeop-da., ⭕ gyeong chal gwan deul i sa yong ha neun eun eo neun il ban in i i hae ha gi eo ryeop da.
은어 is professional jargon used by certain occupations, unfamiliar to outsiders.
❌ 친구들과 술자리에서 은어를 많이 쓰면 분위기가 어색해진다.
❌ chin-gu-deul-gwa sul-ja-ri-e-seo eun-eo-reul man-i sseu-myeon bun-wi-gi-ga eo-saek-hae-jin-da., ❌ chin gu deul gwa sul ja ri e seo eun eo reul man i sseu myeon bun wi gi ga eo saek hae jin da.
속어 suits casual social settings; 은어 sounds unnatural there.
⭕ 인터넷 커뮤니티에서 쓰는 은어는 그 커뮤니티 회원만 이해한다.
⭕ in-teo-nes keo-myu-ni-ti-e-seo sseu-neun eun-eo-neun geu keo-myu-ni-ti hoe-won-man i-hae-han-da., ⭕ in teo nes keo myu ni ti e seo sseu neun eun eo neun geu keo myu ni ti hoe won man i hae han da.
은어 is group-specific jargon understood only by community members.
Which is specialized jargon used only by specific professions?
Which is mainly used in casual talk among friends?
Which is appropriate when talking to your boss at work?
Which should be avoided in formal settings?
