Korean

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Etymology

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Onomatopoeic. Compare e.g. Portuguese kkk and Japanese けけけ (kekeke).

Pronunciation

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Romanizations
Revised Romanization?keukeukeu
Revised Romanization (translit.)?keukeukeu
McCune–Reischauer?k'ŭk'ŭk'ŭ
Yale Romanization?khu.khu.khu

Interjection

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ㅋㅋㅋ (kkk)

  1. (Internet slang, text messaging) haha, lol, kek (non-dismissive)
    Synonym: ㅎㅎ (hh)

Usage notes

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  • ㅋㅋㅋ has a somewhat more blunt tone than ㅎㅎ.
  • ㅎㅎ is more likely to be included "just for the sake of it" or to make the tone more friendly, whereas ㅋㅋㅋ is more likely to represent actual laughter.
  • A single is usually dismissive.
  • The more is repeated (e.g. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ), the more likely it is to represent actual laughter rather than simply being added for the sake of it.
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Descendants

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  • English: kek