How to Say “Quickly” in Korean: 빨리 (ppalli)
“Ppalli” means “quickly” or “hurry up” — a word so central to Korean life that “ppalli-ppalli culture” describes the country’s fast pace.
“Ppalli” means “quickly” or “hurry up” — a word so central to Korean life that “ppalli-ppalli culture” describes the country’s fast pace.
빨리 (ppalli) — quickly / hurry
How it feels and when to use it
Doubled as “ppalli-ppalli,” it’s an urgent “hurry, hurry!” The opposite is “cheoncheonhi” (천천히, slowly), which you’ll hear just as often — “cheoncheonhi haseyo,” take your time.
Politeness levels
- 빨리 (ppalli) — Casual (반말): with close friends and people younger than you
- 빨리요 (ppalliyo) — Polite (해요체): the safe everyday level for most people
- 서둘러 주세요 (seodulleo juseyo) — Formal (합쇼체): in business, announcements, and to elders
Real examples from native Korean
Here’s how native speakers actually use 빨리 in real Korean:
- 빨리 해! — Do it quickly!
- 천천히 해 — Slowly.
- 빨리 발라 볼게요. — I'll try it quickly.
A common mistake to avoid
Bare “ppalli!” can sound bossy — Shouting “ppalli!” at someone is a command. To ask politely, use “ppalli juseyo” (please, quickly) or soften with tone. Among friends it’s fine; with strangers, add politeness.
Related expressions
- 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) — slowly
- 잠깐만 (jamkkanman) — wait a sec
Want to hear 빨리 spoken by real Koreans? Search it on Langle and watch it across dozens of real video clips.
Frequently asked questions
- What does “빨리” mean in Korean?
- “Ppalli” means “quickly” or “hurry up” — a word so central to Korean life that “ppalli-ppalli culture” describes the country’s fast pace. It’s romanized as “ppalli.”
- Is “빨리” formal or casual?
- “빨리” is casual (반말); “빨리요” is polite (해요체); “서둘러 주세요” is formal (합쇼체). Match the level to who you’re talking to.
- How do you pronounce “빨리”?
- It’s pronounced “ppalli.” Bare “ppalli!” can sound bossy: Shouting “ppalli!” at someone is a command. To ask politely, use “ppalli juseyo” (please, quickly) or soften with tone. Among friends it’s fine; with strangers, add politeness.
- When should I use “빨리”?
- Doubled as “ppalli-ppalli,” it’s an urgent “hurry, hurry!” The opposite is “cheoncheonhi” (천천히, slowly), which you’ll hear just as often — “cheoncheonhi haseyo,” take your time.
- What can I say instead of “빨리”?
- Try “천천히” (slowly) or “잠깐만” (wait a sec).