Squid Game:15 words you need to know from the series

15 Korean Drama Vocabulary - Squid Game

Hello there! 😊

Are you a fan of Squid Game? With its intense storyline and thrilling games, this global hit isn’t just entertaining—it’s also a fantastic resource for learning Korean.

Have you ever watched a K-drama and thought, I wish I could understand that word without subtitles? If you want to understand Korean dramas without subtitles, it’s best to start small. Instead of trying to catch every word, focus on picking up useful vocabulary from the drama itself.

In this post, we’ll explore 15 must-know words from The Game of Ozzies, plus key words from Squid Game, all perfect for A2-B1 learners. Next time you watch, keep an ear out for these words—you’ll be surprised how much you recognize! Let’s dive in.

So, are you ready to dive into the world of Squid Game and learn some Korean? “The game has begun!” 🦑

---

1. 생존 (saengjon) – Survival

   • 생존이 달린 게임입니다.

     (Saengjon-i dallin geim-imnida.)

     "I participated in the game diligently to survive."

     
     
   
   

2. 도전 (dojeon) – Challenge

   • 이 게임에 도전해보시겠습니까?

     (I geim-e dojeonhaebosigessseumnikka?)

     "Would you like to take on this challenge?"

     
     
     
     

3. 상금 (sanggeum) – Prize money

   • 상금을 받으려면 끝까지 살아남아야 합니다.

     (Sanggeum-eul badeuryeomyeon kkeutkkaji saramnamaya hamnida.)

     "You have to survive until the end to win the prize money."

     
     

     

     Squid Game Prize Money Piggy Bank Scene

     
     

4. 규칙 (gyuchik) – Rule

   • 규칙을 지키지 않으면 탈락합니다.

     (Gyuchik-eul jikiji anheumyeon tallakhamnida.)

     "If you don’t follow the rules, you will be eliminated."

     
     

5. 긴장 (ginjang) – Nervous

   • 저 너무 긴장돼요.

     (Jeo neomu ginjangdwaeyo.)

     "I’m so nervous."

   
   

6. 팀 (tim) – Team

   • 우리 같은 팀 할래요?

     (Uri gateun tim hallaeyo?)

     "Do you want to be on the same team as me?"

     
     

     

     The scene where Player 095 asked Player 120 to team up with her.

     
     
     
     

7. 숫자 (sutja) –

   • 나가고 싶은 사람의 숫자가 더 적어요.

     (Nagago sipeun saram-ui sutja-ga deo jeogeoyo.)

     "The number of people who want to leave is smaller."

     
     
     
     

8. 게임 (geim) – Game

   • 이거 애들 게임 아니야?

     (Igeo aedeul geim aniya?)

     "Isn’t this a children’s game?"

     
     
     
     

9. 탈락 (tallak) – Elimination

   • 첫 번째 게임에서 탈락한 사람이 많았습니다.

     (Cheot beonjae geim-eseo tallakhan sarami manasseumnida.)

     "Many people were eliminated in the first game."

     
     

     

     Scene from the first game in Squid Game Season called "Red Light, Green Light".

     
     
     
     

10. 위험 (wiheom) – Danger

    • 이 게임은 정말 위험합니다.

      (I geim-eun jeongmal wiheomhapnida.)

      "This game is really dangerous."

      
      
      
      

11. 운명 (unmyeong) – Fate

    • 참가자들의 운명이 이 게임에 달려 있어요.

      (Chamgajadeul-ui unmyeong-i i geim-e dallyeo isseoyo.)

      "The participants’ fate depends on this game."

      
      
      
      

12. 우승자 (useungja) – Winner

    • 지난번 우승자가 저였어요.

      (Jinanbeon useungjaga jeoyeosseoyo.)

      "I was the winner last time."

      
      

      

      Scene where Player 456 reveals he was the winner in the last game.

      
      

13. 배신 (baesin) – Betrayal

    • 우리 서로 배신하지 맙시다.

      (Uri seoro baesinhaji mapsida.)

      "Let’s not betray each other."

      
      
      
      

14. 친구 (chingu) – Friend

    • 친구야, 니가 있어서 든든하다.

      (Chinguya, niga isseoseo deundeunhada.)

      "With a friend, you can even overcome difficult games."

      
      
    
    

15. 참가자 (chamgaja) – Participant

    • 참가자는 456명입니다.

      (Chamgaja-neun sasabaek yuksip-yuk myeong-imnida.)

      "There are 456 participants."

      
      

      

      Number of Participants scene

      
      
      
      

---

And that's 15 Korean Drama Vocabulary for Squid Game!

I hope you found these words useful and that they add a new layer of enjoyment to watching Squid Game while improving your Korean! Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to recognize and use these words naturally in everyday conversations.

Feel free to revisit this post whenever you need a quick review, and don’t hesitate to share your thoughts or questions in the comments. Stay motivated and keep learning—your Korean journey is just getting started!

Until next time, 게임에서 승리하세요! 🏆