[Korean Slang] 쩐다/쩔어 meaning/examples

You may have encountered the phrase "쩐다 (jjeon-da)/쩔어 (jjeol-uh)" on K-Pop idol reality shows or maybe you heard someone say it online/in-person.

 

In short, 쩐다/쩔어 means "sick", "dope", "cool" and is used as an expression to say something is really good - but keep in mind that though this is commonly used in positive contexts, it can also be used negatively depending on how you use it. You will be able to understand it better after reading some examples below.

 

Examples

A: 야, 이집 치킨 어때? 맛있지? (Hey yo, how's the chicken at this restaurant? It's pretty good eh?)

B: 와. 이집 치킨 쩐다. 완전 맛있어 (Yo, this restaurant's chicken is too freaking good. It's so yummy!)

 

A: 너 비긴어게인에 소향 노래 들어봤어? (Have you listend to So-Hyang's covers on the show "Begin Again"?)

B: 응! 와 소향 완전 쩔어 (Yeah! So-Hyang is so freaking fire)

 

A: 사실 어제 내가 너 케이크까지 다 먹었어. 너무 배고파서. (To be honest, yesterday, I ate your cake too cause I was starving)

B: 와 진짜 쩐다. 저녁을 그렇게 먹고도 배고팠냐? (Wow you for real man? You were still hungry after eating that much for dinner?)