Korean slang profile
짤
jjal
An image shared online
An image file circulated online, especially a funny photo or an animated image.
- Expanded form
- Not documented
- Other spellings
- —
- Earliest source found
- Jan 22, 2019
- Documented trend period
- Not verified
This is the earliest source we have verified, not the date the term was coined.
01Examples, with English translations
- Example by Julimmal
이 짤 저장해 놔야겠다.
I need to save this image.
- Quoted from a source
최근 아이폰 에어드롭 기능을 활용한 이미지(짤) 대화가 화제다.[1]
Conversations using images through the iPhone's AirDrop feature have recently attracted attention.
English translation by Julimmal.
02Documented history
- January 2019The Electronic Times reported that the conversation of exchanging images (짤) via iPhone airdrop is a hot topic, and wrote that emoticons are attracting attention as a means of expressing emotions for the 1030 generation, who are accustomed to images and abbreviations represented by the ‘짤 room’ culture.[1]
03Origin & word formation
The supporting article gives it beside 이미지, image, without explaining the origin. Derivation from 짤방 seems possible but has not been verified in the source.
Evidence for the origin explanationLow
Usage examples are supported, but no source here explains the origin. Its relationship to 짤방 also needs checking.
04Sources
Original titles and links are preserved. An English translation does not replace the original source.
- 너와 나의 연결고리, '이미지'... 일상이 된 게이미피케이션 (전자신문)Published Jan 22, 2019Original source checked Nov 5, 2026