How to say "I don't like it" in Korean
The natural way Koreans say "I don't like it" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.
별로야
byeolloya
Literally: It's not much.
When to use it
Koreans rarely say 싫어 (I hate it) about small things. 별로 is the polite-ish way to say not great, and it does most of the work English does with meh.
Polite form
- 별로예요byeolloyeyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 싫어sireo= I don't like it / noStronger and more direct. Fine with close friends, blunt otherwise.
- 그냥 그래geunyang geurae= It's so-soThe softest option. Literally it's just like that.
In a sentence
- 맛이 별로야.masi byeolloya.It doesn't taste great.
- 그 영화 어땠어? 그냥 그랬어.geu yeonghwa eottaesseo? geunyang geuraesseo.How was that film? It was so-so.
Practise this one. These phrases are in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes.
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