Dictionary — Entry No. 0322
그래
geurae · expression
그래
geurae
[geu-RAY]
expressionbeginner
Meaning
A highly versatile informal expression that shifts meaning entirely based on intonation. As a flat statement it means ‘yeah’ or ‘right’; with rising intonation it becomes ‘really?’ or ‘is that so?’; with falling emphasis it conveys reluctant agreement or ‘fine, whatever.’ It is one of the most frequently used casual words in everyday Korean conversation, functioning as a conversational glue that covers several different English responses at once.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Geurae is so embedded in natural Korean speech that it appears constantly in unscripted K-Pop content. EXO’s Baekhyun and Chanyeol volley it back and forth in their chaotic interactions on EXO’s Showtime. In Crash Landing on You, the word is used with subtle differences by South and North Korean characters — a linguistic detail noted by fans and language learners alike. Extraordinary Attorney Woo features it in Woo Young-woo’s thoughtful, deliberate speech patterns.
Example Sentences
그래, 나도 그렇게 생각해.
Geurae, nado geureoke saenggakhae.
Yeah, I think so too. (casual, warm agreement between friends)
그래? 진짜?
Geurae? Jinjja?
Really? Seriously? (surprised, seeking confirmation — note the rising tone)
그래, 알겠어. 니 마음대로 해.
Geurae, algeseo. Ni maeumdearo hae.
Fine. Do whatever you want. (resigned, slightly passive-aggressive)
⚠️ Don’t use geurae when…
Geurae is strictly informal — using it with elders, teachers, or strangers is considered impolite. The formal equivalent is simply 네 (ne). Beginners often over-rely on geurae as a catch-all ‘yes,’ but its intonation-dependent meaning can cause real misunderstandings, especially in text.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Extraordinary Attorney Woo — the precise, considered way Woo Young-woo uses geurae to process new information mid-conversation became a character detail fans analyzed and loved.
- K-Pop: EXO — EXO’s Showtime (Baekhyun and Chanyeol’s rapid-fire geurae exchanges became some of the most GIF-ed comedic moments from the variety series)
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.