와
wa
🇰🇷 Korean slang from Busan
What does “와” mean?
why?
Example
“와? 내가 뭐 잘못했나?”
wa? naega mwo jalmotaenna?
Why? Did I do something wrong?
Good to know
Not “wow”: in Busan 와? is 왜? (why?).
Who you can say it to
Fine with anyone
☕ Everyday
The textbook way to say it: 왜?
Heard in a conversation
Fish market with grandma
Halmae 그라모 퍼뜩 온나. 고등어 마이 샀다.
Then come quick. I bought lots of mackerel.
Jun 와 이리 마이 샀어예? 천지삐까리네!
Why did you buy so much? That's tons!
Halmae 아이가, 니 어무이도 온다 안 카나. 단디 들고 가라.
Well, your mum's coming too, isn't she. Carry it carefully.
❓ How other countries say “why?”
- 🇰🇷 왜?Seoul
More from Busan
- 머하노what are you doing?; what's up?
- 억수로really, super
- 단디carefully, properly
- 뭐라카노what are you on about?
- 가가가is it that kid?
- 고마just (stop it); enough already
- 아이다no; it's not
- 퍼뜩quick!, right now
Learn Korean with songs
- Spring Day · BTSLevel A2
- Through the Night · IULevel A2
- APT. · ROSÉ, Bruno MarsLevel A2
- Cheer Up · TWICELevel A2
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