1. What does it mean?
직구 shortens 직접 구매, direct purchase. In Korean shopping talk it often means 해외 직구: ordering from an overseas shop or platform instead of a domestic reseller.
Also written or said as 해외직구, jikgu
2. The nuance
Outside shopping, 직구 can mean a fastball or a blunt remark. The shopping term does not imply duty-free treatment, cheaper total cost, or the same return process as a local purchase.
3. Examples
“국내에 없는 색상이라 해외 직구를 알아봤어.”
I looked into ordering directly overseas because the color wasn't available locally.
“직구 가격을 볼 때 배송비도 같이 계산했어.”
When comparing the overseas price, I included shipping too.
Sources
References support the meaning and usage. Example sentences are written for NoCapWiki.