What Does Motae Solo Mean?: Learn Korean with Better Late than Single
π What Does Motae Solo Mean? The Korean Word Behind Netflix’s Better Late than Single
One of the hottest reality shows in Korea right now? π₯ Better Late than Single!
It’s been trending on Netflix Korea, and K-reality fans can’t stop talking about it. But did you know? Its full Korean title is:
“λͺ¨νμλ‘μ§λ§ μ°μ λ νκ³ μΆμ΄”
(Motae Solo-jiman Yeonaeneun Hago Sipeo)
So let’s zoom in on the keyword here — λͺ¨νμλ‘ (motae solo). What does it mean? And why does it strike such a chord with Korean viewers? ^^
π Motae Solo = λͺ¨ν + μλ‘
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| 'λͺ¨νμλ‘' literally breaks down into λͺ¨ν (from birth) + μλ‘ (single). Born single, still single? π
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The phrase is made up of two parts:
- μλ‘ (solo): Borrowed from English, but in Korean it simply means “single.” You’ll often hear people say things like “μμ§ μλ‘μΌ~γ γ ” (I’m still single~ π).
- λͺ¨ν (motae): A formal word meaning “from the womb” or “since birth.”
Put them together and you get:
λͺ¨νμλ‘ = single since birth.
Yep. Never dated. Not even a high school crush. Not even “μΈ” (flirtationship). γ γ
And in everyday conversation, Koreans often shorten it to just λͺ¨μ (mo-sol), like:
“λ μμ§ λͺ¨μμ΄μΌ...^^;;” (I’ve never dated...π )
π The World of λͺ¨ν + [Word]: Playful, Cute, and Sometimes Self-Deprecating
Once you learn the word λͺ¨νμλ‘, you’ll start seeing this λͺ¨ν + [something] structure everywhere in Korean! It’s a creative and expressive way to describe a personality, a body type, or even a talent — often with a touch of humor π
Here are some fun and popular examples, along with real-life example sentences:
- λͺ¨νλ―Έλ
— a natural-born beauty
“μ... λ μ§μ§ λͺ¨νλ―Έλ ꡬλ~”
➤ This is a flattering way to say someone has been beautiful since they were born. It’s a popular compliment among friends and on variety shows. - λͺ¨νλ―Έλ¨ — a natural-born handsome guy
“μ°¨μμ°λ κ·Έλ₯ λͺ¨νλ―Έλ¨μ΄μ§... μ¬λ μΌκ΅΄μ΄ μ λ΄ μ μμ΄?”
➤ Cha Eun-woo (μ°¨μμ°), from ASTRO and K-dramas like True Beauty, is the textbook example of a λͺ¨νλ―Έλ¨. People say he’s been good-looking since a baby! ^^ - λͺ¨νλ§λ¦ — someone who’s always been slim
“λλ λ€μ΄μ΄νΈ ν΄λ μ λΉ μ§λλ°, μ€λ κ·Έλ₯ λͺ¨νλ§λ¦μ΄μΌ...”
➤ A mix of envy and admiration! Often used jokingly when someone eats everything and never gains weight. - λͺ¨νλΉλ§ — someone who’s always been chubby
“λ μ΄λ €μλΆν° ν΅ν΅νμ΄. κ±°μ λͺ¨νλΉλ§μ γ γ ”
➤ Usually said in a self-deprecating but light-hearted tone. Think self-love with a wink π - λͺ¨νκ·μλ―Έ — a born cutie π₯°
“μ€λ κ·Έλ₯ λͺ¨νκ·μλ―ΈμΌ. νλ κ²λ§λ€ κ·μ¬μ~”
➤ Used to describe someone who’s naturally cute — in looks or behavior. Common in fandoms and idol interviews! - λͺ¨ννΈλ‘―μ²μ¬ — born trot prodigy π€
“μ μμ΄λ 5μ΄ λ μ΄λ―Έ μ₯μ€μ λ Έλ λΆλ λ€λκΉ~ λͺ¨ννΈλ‘―μ²μ¬ μΈμ !”
➤ A fun and proud way to describe someone (often a child) who’s been singing Korean trot music since they could talk. You’ll hear this phrase on TV talent shows — “She’s a total trot prodigy!” - λͺ¨νμ μ — someone who was born into a religious faith and raised with it since birth
“μ μΉκ΅¬λ λͺ¨νμ μμ΄λ. λΆλͺ¨λλ μ΄λ¦΄ λλΆν° κ΅ν λ€λμ ¨λ.”
➤ This refers to someone who didn’t choose their religion, but inherited it through their family. It’s usually used with respect or as a neutral fact — not humor.
These expressions are often used as compliments when talking about someone else — especially “λͺ¨νλ―Έλ ” or “λͺ¨νκ·μλ―Έ.” They’re fun, flattering, and totally Korean!
But when people use them about themselves — like “λͺ¨νλΉλ§” or “λͺ¨μ” — it usually carries a self-deprecating yet cheerful tone. Like saying, “Yep, that’s just how I’ve always been~ γ γ ”
π What About λͺ¨νμ μ?
Among all the playful λͺ¨ν-expressions, there’s one that stands out for being more sincere and personal:
⚠ Caution though! When using λͺ¨ν+words about others, stick to positive terms — like λ―Έλ or κ·μλ―Έ. Using words like “λΉλ§” (chubby) or “μλ‘” about someone else can come across as rude or inconsiderate γ γ . These expressions sound cheerful because they're usually used for yourself, not for labeling others. π
Even though λͺ¨νμλ‘ is commonly used in Korean variety shows and entertainment, it’s not something you’d casually say about someone else in daily life. It’s usually reserved for humorous self-description, or shared between close friends who are totally comfortable with each other ^^
π So… what kind of show is Better Late than Single?
As the title suggests, the show follows people who’ve never dated in their lives — a.k.a. λͺ¨νμλ‘λ€ — as they step into the world of love for the very first time.
Six men and six women — all λͺ¨μλ¨ (mo-sol-nam, never-dated man) and λͺ¨μλ (mo-sol-nyeo, never-dated woman) — live together in one house, navigating first crushes, awkward silences, and all the fluttery feelings in between.
Expect group house dynamics, nervous glances, raw vulnerability, and yes — a lot of sweet, slow-burn “μΈ” tension π
π Language Note: Why is λͺ¨νμλ‘ translated as “eternal single”?
You might’ve seen λͺ¨νμλ‘ translated as “eternal single” in English subtitles and wondered, “Wait, is that accurate?” π
Literally, λͺ¨νμλ‘ means “single since birth.” The word λͺ¨ν (motae) means “from the womb,” and μλ‘ (solo) is “single.” But translating that directly — like “womb-single” — would sound awkward in English.
So translators often choose eternal single — it’s not a word-for-word match, but it captures the same mood: a little tragic, kind of funny, and totally relatable ^^
π‘ This kind of cultural substitution is common in K-drama and K-reality show subtitles — because sometimes, matching the feeling matters more than literal words!
π Make It Yours — What’s Your λͺ¨ν?
One of the coolest things about the λͺ¨ν+something pattern is that it’s basically endless. You can attach anything to it — a skill, a personality, even a little quirk that makes you, well... YOU! ^^
For example, if you’ve been obsessed with learning languages since you were little, you might say:
“λλ λͺ¨νμΈμ΄λνμΌ~” (I’ve been a language nerd since birth!)
Or if you’ve always been the emotional one among your friends:
“λͺ¨νκ°μ±λ¬ μΈμ γ γ ”
As for me… I might say I’m a λͺ¨ννκΈλ¬ — born to love Korean language and culture! π
How about you? ^^ What would your λͺ¨ν+something be?
Just say it out loud — it’s a fun way to express who you are, in true Korean style~^^
With love,
Hangeulia π
