How to Say “I’m New to Running” in Korean? 🏃

Hello!

Have you recently started running and still feel like a complete beginner? In Korean, new runners often jokingly call themselves 런린이 (reon-ri-ni).

What Does 런린이 Mean?

런린이 blends 러닝 (reo-ning), meaning “running,” with 어린이 (eo-ri-ni), meaning “child.” More precisely, it uses the ending -린이, which is commonly attached to an activity to mean “a beginner.”

Therefore, 런린이 means “a running beginner” or “newbie runner.”

Here are three common ways to use it.

1. Calling Yourself a Beginner Runner 👟

Use 런린이야 when casually introducing yourself as a new runner:

• Korean: 나 런린이야.

• Pronunciation: na reol-li-ni-ya.

• Meaning: I’m a newbie runner. / I’m new to running.

2. Using a More Neutral Expression 🌱

With people who may not know the slang, use 초보 러너:

• Korean: 저는 초보 러너예요.

• Pronunciation: jeo-neun cho-bo reo-neo-ye-yo.

• Meaning: I’m a beginner runner. / I’m new to running.

These expressions are clearer and more appropriate in polite or formal situations.

💡 Quick Usage Tip

런린이 (reon-ri-ni; pronounced reol-li-ni) — newbie runner

초보 러너 (cho-bo runner) — running beginner

-린이 (-ri-ni) — a slang ending meaning “beginner”

You may also see 요린이 for a beginner cook, 주린이 for a beginner investor, and 헬린이 for a gym beginner. Because -린이 comes from 어린이, some people consider this usage infantilizing, so neutral expressions such as 초보 are safer in formal contexts.

🎯 Takeaway of the Day

나 런린이야! (na reol-li-ni-ya!)

Use it casually when you have only recently started running and still consider yourself a beginner.

One expression a day, make it yours.

하루에 한 표현을 내 것으로!