Learn how to use this viral Korean expression correctly

Whether you’re casually interested in the Korean language or are working your way up to fluency, “gwenchana” is a common expression you’ll need to learn. It means “it’s okay” or “I’m fine,” depending on the context of the conversation. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about “gwenchana,” including what it means, how to respond to it, and why it’s trending on TikTok. We’ll also provide other Korean terms to expand your vocabulary.

“Gwenchana” (괜찮아) means “it’s okay” or “I’m fine” in Korean. If you say it with a rising intonation, it turns into the question “are you okay?” (“gwencha-na?). Respond with “ne, gwenchana” to say “yes, I’m okay,” or “ani, an gwenchana” to say “no, I’m not okay.”

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It’s typically used to reassure someone that everything is okay and there’s no need to worry. Since it’s an informal word, reserve it for casual conversations with friends or people who are younger than you. If you’re speaking to someone older or you’re in a formal setting, use “gwenchanayo” (괜찮아요) to be polite. [1]

How to write “gwenchana:” You can write “gwenchana” in Korean as “괜찮아.” In romanized letters, you may see it written as “gwenchana,” “gwenchanna,” or “gwaenchana.”

How to pronounce “gwenchana:” It’s a 3-syllable word, where the “g” in “gwen” is soft and quickly transitions into “wen.” The “cha” is pronounced like the “cha” in “charge,” and the “na” sounds like “nah” in English.