Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms in Korea, with millions of active users sharing their daily lives through photos, videos, and stories. Learning Instagram-related Korean phrases can be incredibly useful if you’re trying to connect with Korean friends or explore Korean culture online. These expressions are commonly used not only in digital communication but also in everyday conversations among young Koreans.
The way Koreans use social media platforms reflects their unique communication style and cultural values. You’ll notice that many Korean users put significant effort into creating aesthetically pleasing feeds and engaging with their followers in specific ways.
Let’s dive into the essential phrases that will help you navigate Korean social media culture more effectively.
Do you use Instagram?
Do you use instagram?
너 인스타그램 해?
[neo-instagram-hae]
This is typically one of the first questions Koreans ask when they want to connect with someone on social media.
For a more polite version, you could say “인스타그램 하세요?[Instagram-ha-se-yo]” when speaking to someone older or in a formal situation.
Korean people often use this question as a conversation starter or as a way to maintain contact with someone they’ve just met. Instagram is particularly popular among Koreans in their teens to thirties.
What’s your insta?
What’s your insta?
너 인스타 뭐야?
[neo-insta-meo-ya]
After confirming someone uses Insta, this natural follow-up asks for their username. Koreans often abbreviate “Instagram” to just “Insta”, similar to English speakers.
The phrase “뭐야[meo-ya]” literally means “what is it?” but in this context translates to “What’s your Instagram handle?”
For a more formal version, you could say “인스타 아이디가 뭐예요?[Insta-ID-ga-meo-ye-yo]?”
In Korea, when people talk about social media or online accounts, they commonly use the term “ID” (아이디) instead of “username” or “account” which are more frequently used in English-speaking countries.
I followed you
I followed you.
너 팔로우 했어.
[neo-follow-hae-sseo]
This phrase is commonly used to let someone know you’ve followed their account. The Korean verb “했어[hae-sseo]” indicates a completed action, meaning you’ve already followed them.
Please accept me
Please accept me.
팔로우 받아줘.
[follow-ba-da-jwo]
This phrase is used when someone has a private account and needs to approve your follow request.
For private accounts, this phrase acknowledges that the account owner has control over who can view their content. Using this phrase shows respect for their privacy settings while expressing your interest in connecting.
Please follow me back
Please follow me back.
맞팔해줘.
[mat-pal-hae-jwo]
This is one of the most frequently used social media platforms related phrases in Korean. “맞팔[mat-pal]” is a compound word combining “맞대다” (to be reciprocal) and “팔로우” (follow). It’s specifically used for requesting a mutual follow relationship.
The concept of “맞팔” is deeply embedded in Korean social media culture. Many Korean users expect mutual following as a sign of respect or friendship.
I will DM you
I will DM you.
DM보낼게.
[DM-bo-nael-gge]
Koreans often use this phrase when they want to continue a conversation privately or share information that isn’t suitable for public comments. It’s a casual way to indicate you’ll reach out through DM.
When someone says this to you, they’re likely to send you a message soon, so it’s good to check your message requests if you don’t receive a notification.
I saw what you posted on your story
I saw what you posted on your story.
너 스토리 올린 것 봤어.
[neo-story-ol-lin-geo-bwa-sseo]
Insta Stories are a great way to share temporary posts with your followers. Mentioning that you’ve seen someone’s story is a way to show attentiveness and interest in their life. This kind of acknowledgment helps strengthen social bonds and shows that you’re actively keeping up with their updates.
When used in conversation, this phrase often leads to discussing the content of the story, creating a natural conversation flow about what was shared.
If you want to make Korean friends, check out my previous post : Korean Drinking Game.
