What Does “Yareu” Mean in Korean Slang?

What does “yareu” mean?

“Yareu” (야레우) is used to express enjoyment or surprise. In Korean social media videos, “yareu” means something along the lines of “wow” or “yum.” In Korean, “yareu” is made up of “ya” (야 ), a syllable used to convey excitement or surprise, “re” (레), a syllable that is simply expressive in tone, and “u” (우), a vowel sound that emphasizes the playful nature of the term.

“Yareu” is also a Korean slang term based on "ya" (야) or "yeo" (여). Both “ya” and “yeo” are considered informal ways to interject into a conversation or to get someone else’s attention. They’re similar to saying something like “Hey!” or “Yo!” in English. “Yareu” is a casual phonetic spelling of “ya” and “yeo.” Pronounce “yareu” as “Yaa-RUUUWWW!” In addition to “hey!,” “yareu” can also mean “ugh” or “oh” as an interjection. “Yareu” is sometimes spelled "Yareuu."

How to Use “Yareu”

Say “Yareu” before eating or doing a mukbang. “Yareu” is mainly said before eating, especially when posting mukbang videos on social media. To get in on the fun, simply say “yareu!” in an excited voice, stressing the second syllable. Do this before you start eating. For example, pick up your chopsticks or utensils, lift the food toward your mouth, and yell “Yareeeuuuu!” Many users close one eye as they say “yareu.” “Yareu” is quickly gaining popularity with members of Gen Z around the world. Take our Gen Z Slang quiz to see how many popular slang terms you know!

Where does “yareu” come from?

“Yareu” first appeared in a YouTube video. The video, entitled "FIRST EVER Time Eating Korean Convenience Store Food!,” was first posted by user @Koreanosh on YouTube on July 30, 2024. It featured a user trying food from a Korean convenience store for the first time. Before eating, the user in the video yelled “yareu.”

“Yareu” grew trendy as part of Korean mukbang videos. It was popularized by Gen Z Korean content creators, especially those making mukbang videos, which are livestreams where users eat a meal in front of the camera. “Mukbang” is a popular Korean slang term that combines two Korean words: “mukja,” meaning “let’s eat,” and “bangsong,” meaning “broadcast.” Mukbang videos became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way for people to deal with social isolation and connect with an online community through eating.

Other Meanings of “Yareu”

"Yareu" might be a phonetic spelling of the Japanese “yare yare.” "Yareu" may also represent a phonetic spelling for the Japanese “yare yare” (やれ やれ). “Yare yare” is an interjection used to express frustration or resignation. It’s similar to saying, “good grief" or "give me a break.” “Yare Yare” is pronounced “YAA-reh YAA-reh.” In pop culture, "Yare yare” is part of the phrase “yare yare daze" from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, a Japanese anime TV series.