What Does “Some” (썸) Mean?
The Korean Dating Slang for Something More Than Friendship
What does 썸 (some) mean? Learn how Koreans use this common dating expression, what 썸을 타다 means, and how 썸 differs from officially dating.
If you watch Korean dramas, dating shows or variety programmes, you may have heard 썸 (some) used when two people seem interested in each other but are not officially dating.
It is a common Korean dating slang expression for a romantic connection that has started to develop, but has not yet become a clearly defined relationship.
In this article, we will look at:
- Where the word 썸 comes from
- What 썸 means
- How Koreans use 썸 and 썸을 타다
- The difference between 썸 and 사귀다
- Related Korean dating expressions
Where Does the Word “Some” Come From?
One interesting thing about 썸 is its connection to English.
Although 썸 sounds similar to the English word “some,” it is generally connected to the idea of “something.”
Think of the English sentence:
That vague “something” captures the feeling behind 썸 surprisingly well. There is romantic interest between two people, but their relationship has not yet been clearly defined.
The English-language Korean entertainment site Soompi also explains 썸 타다 as an expression connected to “something,” used when two people have chemistry but are not yet officially in a relationship.
Read more about 썸 타다 and Korean dating expressions on Soompi
What Does Some (썸) Mean in Korean?
썸 (some) describes a romantic connection that is developing but has not yet become an established relationship.
Two people in a 썸 may be talking more often, spending more time together or showing signs of mutual interest, but they have not officially agreed that they are dating.
In natural English, expressions such as “the talking stage,” “seeing someone,” or “there’s something going on” can describe a similar situation, although none is an exact translation.
The infographic shows one simple way a relationship may develop. A 썸 is the stage where romantic interest has started to grow, but the relationship is still undefined.
Not every 썸 begins as friendship, and not every 썸 develops into an official relationship.
How Do Koreans Use 썸 in Conversation?
Imagine two friends chatting over coffee:
A: 둘이 사귀어?
Are you two dating?
B: 아니, 아직 안 사귀어. 그냥 썸이야.
No, we’re not dating yet. There’s just something going on between us.
Here, 아직 안 사귀어 makes it clear that the two people are not officially dating yet, while 그냥 썸이야 describes the romantic connection between them.
Another Common Expression: 썸을 타다
썸을 타다 (sseomeul tada)
to have a developing romantic connection with someone
For example:
요즘 썸 타는 사람 있어?
Are you seeing anyone these days?
In casual Korean, the particle 을 may be omitted when the meaning is clear, so both 썸을 타다 and 썸 타다 are commonly heard.
For learners, it is best to learn 썸을 타다 as a complete expression rather than translating 타다 literally.
썸 vs. 사귀다: What’s the Difference?
The main difference is whether the relationship has been clearly established.
| 썸 (some) | 사귀다 (to date) |
|---|---|
| Romantic interest is developing | The relationship is established |
| The relationship is still undefined | Both people recognise that they are dating |
| “There’s something going on” | “We’re a couple” |
For example:
아직 안 사귀어요.
We’re not dating yet.
저희 사귀고 있어요.
We’re dating.
One useful point for Korean learners is that 사귀다 does not always mean romantic dating.
친구를 사귀다
to make friends
When 사귀다 means “to date,” the romantic meaning is usually clear from the context, such as when two people are talking about becoming a couple or being in a relationship.
Related Korean Dating Words
Once you understand 썸, several related expressions become easier to recognise.
| Korean expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 썸남 (sseomnam) | A man with whom someone has a 썸 |
| 썸녀 (sseomnyeo) | A woman with whom someone has a 썸 |
| 고백 (gobaek) | A confession of feelings; in dating situations, it can mean confessing romantic feelings |
| 썸붕 (sseombung) | Informal slang for when a 썸 ends before the two people officially start dating |
These expressions are commonly used when talking about different situations that can happen around a 썸.
Another Korean Dating Expression: 모태솔로
If you enjoy learning Korean dating slang, another expression you may hear is 모태솔로 (motae solo).
Unlike 썸, which describes a developing romantic connection, 모태솔로 describes someone who has never been in a romantic relationship.
Related article:
What Does Motae Solo (모태솔로) Mean? Korean Dating Slang Explained
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Expressions like 썸 can be difficult to translate directly because their meaning often depends on the relationship and situation.
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