Have you ever liked someone but couldn't tell whether you were actually dating?
You text each other, meet for coffee, and get excited whenever your phone lights up. But neither of you has said, "We're together."
In Korea, we call this 썸타다 (sseom tada).
What Does 썸타다 Mean in Korean?
썸타다 (sseom tada) means having romantic feelings for each other without officially being in a relationship.
The word 썸 (sseom) comes from the English word something, as in "There's something going on between us."
In natural English, you could say:
"We have a thing going on."
"We're in the talking stage."
"We're kind of seeing each other."
The important distinction is that 썸 suggests mutual romantic interest, while simply having a crush doesn't.
How Koreans Actually Use 썸타다
Here are some expressions you'll hear in everyday conversations and K-dramas.
1. 나 요즘 썸 타는 사람 있어.
Na yojeum sseom taneun saram isseo.
"There's someone I'm kind of seeing these days."
2. 너희 둘 썸 타는 거야?
Neohui dul sseom taneun geoya?
"Is there something going on between you two?"
3. 우리 아직 사귀는 건 아니야.
Uri ajik sagwineun geon aniya.
"We're not officially dating yet."
4. 썸만 타다가 끝났어.
Sseomman tadaga kkeunnasseo.
"Things fizzled out before we even started dating."
Notice the fourth example. Fizzle out means something gradually loses excitement and comes to an end. It's a particularly natural way to describe a 썸 that never turned into a relationship.
Is It 썸 or Just Being Friendly?
Here's where things can get tricky.
In Korea, someone might text you:
밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) — "Have you eaten?"
Or:
집에 잘 들어갔어? (Jibe jal deureogasseo?) — "Did you get home safely?"
These messages can sound romantic, but Koreans also say them to friends and people they care about.
As a Korean, I'd say the important thing isn't one sweet message. It's whether both people consistently show special interest in each other.
Otherwise, you might end up saying:
나 혼자 썸 탄 줄 알았네.
Na honja sseom tan jul aranne.
"Turns out I was the only one who thought we had something going on."
That's a rather disappointing realization!
You may also enjoy: What Does Jeong (정) Mean in Korean? A Feeling That's Hard to Translate
Similar Korean Dating Expressions Worth Knowing
| Korean | Natural English |
|---|---|
| 호감이 있다 (hogami itda) | To be interested in someone |
| 짝사랑하다 (jjaksaranghada) | To have an unrequited crush |
| 밀당하다 (mildanghada) | To play hard to get |
| 고백하다 (gobaekhada) | To confess romantic feelings |
| 사귀다 (sagwida) | To date / be in a relationship |
These expressions describe different stages or behaviors in Korean dating.
For example:
나 걔한테 호감 있어.
Na gyaehante hogam isseo.
"I'm interested in that person."
걔랑 썸 타는 중이야.
Gyaerang sseom taneun jungiya.
"We've got a thing going on."
우리 사귀기로 했어.
Uri sagwigiro haesseo.
"We decided to start dating."
Notice how the relationship progresses from interest → possible mutual attraction → officially dating.
One more expression worth remembering is 밀당 (mildang), literally "pushing and pulling." It describes playing hard to get, something that sometimes happens during 썸.
A Native Korean's Take
What I find interesting about 썸 is that Koreans have given a name to a relationship that hasn't even officially begun.
And sometimes, the uncertainty is the most exciting part.
A simple "잘 자 (jal ja)," meaning "Good night," suddenly feels special. You find yourself reading between the lines of every message.
But there's a downside. Someone can get hurt even when there was never an official relationship to begin with.
That's why I think 썸 is such a clever expression. It captures the excitement, confusion, and uncertainty of liking someone without knowing exactly where you stand.
So next time you hear "우리 썸 타는 중이야" (Uri sseom taneun jungiya) in a K-drama, you'll know what it means.
They're not quite a couple. But something is definitely going on.
You may also enjoy: What Does 느낌 (neukkim) Mean in Korean? It's Not Always Just "Feeling"
Post a Comment