What Does “Daebak” Mean?
Awesome, amazing, jackpot — Korea's favorite word for something incredible.
The full meaning
Daebak means awesome, amazing, or a huge success. Koreans shout it at good news, great food, plot twists, and wins of any size. It can also be sarcastic, reacting to something unbelievably bad, the way English speakers say "great, just great."
Where “daebak” comes from
The word originally referred to a big win or jackpot in Korean. Reality shows and K-dramas turned it into an everyday exclamation, and the global Korean wave carried it to fans worldwide, who now use it untranslated.
How it’s actually used
Exclaimed on its own ("Daebak!") or as an adjective ("the concert was daebak"). K-pop and K-drama fans use it in English sentences freely, which is how most learners first meet it.
For parents & teachers
Completely harmless and enthusiastic. If your teen shouts daebak at their screen, something good happened in the drama.
Related slang
Last reviewed: 2026-08-20