Are you curious about how to express your feelings using Korean swear words? Beyond the commonly known 씨발 (Ssi-Bal), there are many ways to swear in Korean. Let’s dive into some basic bad words in Korean.
Who could forget the scene in the K-drama “Reply 1988” where Deok-sun teaches Taek some swear words? It’s no surprise that many K-drama fans might already know at least one Korean swear word by now. So, this time, we will explore various swear words in the Korean language. Even if you’re not accustomed to using them, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these words just in case you hear them in conversation.
Table of Contents
What Are The Most Common Korean Swear Words?
Swearing or 욕/辱 (yok, insults, or swearing) in Korean is something that you are probably familiar with if you watch a lot of Korean dramas
It often has a negative meaning because of the following reasons:
- They are stated when a speaker is angry, frustrated, under pressure, in abrupt discomfort, or confronted by something unexpected and usually undesired.
- Using disparaging or contemptuous language to purposely insult, offend, or harm another person is another way that malediction can “add insult to injury.”
- According to a study, the most common variety is swearing to show in-group solidarity (mainly when directed at outsiders) as part of verbal cuddling or simply casual banter.
- Swearing’s function can also be expressed. Speakers may pick a banned term (over a benign counterpart) to convey frustration, displeasure, astonishment, etc.
Although it has mostly associated with negative meanings and is used in ridiculous situations, swearing can also have hidden benefits. According to Burridge, “…swearing relieves pain and makes you stronger; abusive profanity is a substitute for physical violence…”
In language learning, profanity is also one of the essential things to learn to have a deeper understanding of the language and culture.
So, what Korean curse word do you usually hear? Here are some Korean swear words that you can learn but remember, you cannot use these Korean curse words in a polite conversation.
1. 지랄 (Ji-Ral)
English Translation: Bullshit!
Remember the scene in the 6th episode of “Reply 1988” when Deok-sun found out that Sun-woo is in love with Bo-ra, not her? This moment makes you think about how to say “I love you” in Korean. However, what Deok-sun actually used was a Korean swear word. The literal meaning of this word is “epilepsy,” but it’s often used to call someone out on their nonsense.
2. 미친놈, 미친년 (Mi-Chin-Nom, Mi-Chin-Nyeon)
English Translation: Mi-chin-nom means crazy bastard while mi-chi-nyeon means crazy b*tch
This is another Korean swear word that Deok-sun said to Sun-woo in the episode mentioned above. When she asked Sun-woo what he liked about Bo-ra, one of Sun-woo’s answers was “She is smart” then, she uttered the word 미친놈 Mi-Chin-Nom. Mi-Chin-Nom and Mi-Chin-Nyeon have almost the same meaning.
3. 미친 새끼 (Mi-Chin-Sae-Kki)
English Translation: Crazy SOB or Crazy son of a b*tch
When Taek lent his upperclassman ten million won again, Deok-sun was mad, so she taught Taek some Korean insults, and 미친 새끼 (Mi-Chin-Sae-Ggi) is one of them. You can hear this a lot when you watch Korean dramas.
4. 씨발 (Ssi-Bal)
English Translation: F*ck!
This Korean curse word is one of the most extensively used Korean swear words. It is used so frequently and extensively that the original meaning has been lost. Its original definition is prostitute or incest. Some also do it with their middle fingers sticking out. Watching the Korean zombie apocalypse horror television series, All of us are Dead, you’ll hear this a lot. Well, anyone who is in their situation will really say this word.
5. 씨발새끼 (Ssibal-saekki)
English Translation: F*cking son of a b*tch
If you want to make the previous swear word extra heavier, you can use this phrase. This is mostly used in an intense situation, especially when people are outraged.
So, what does saekki mean? If you look for 새끼 (saekki) in a dictionary, you may find that it means ‘a baby animal’ or ‘young,’ referring to a child or animal who was just born. However, when you use this word to swear at someone, during a fight, its meaning changes completely to a derogatory noun. You may often hear this word used by itself as a swear, or together with 씨발 (ssibal – f*ck) or 개 (gae – dog)
6. 닥쳐 (Dak-Cho)
English Translation: Shut up’ or ‘Shut it
This curse word is not as heavy as the others, but it is still offensive. There’s a scene in the K-drama Goblin where Kim Shin says this to the Grim Reaper while trying to give Kim Shin the paper bag.
7. 바보 (Ba bo)
English Translation: Stupid
Babo is not a bad word, but since it means stupid or dumb, it is usually a swear word among close Korean friends. Se-ri accidentally landed in North Korea and was stuck in Captain Ri’s house. There’s a scene where Captain Ri ordered his comrades to do construction on the underground water. When Se-ri asked what the soldiers doing are, a funny argument escalated between Se-ri and Chi-su, and Se-ri had said this word which made Ju-Meok laugh.
8. 병신 (Byung-Shin/Byung-Sin)
English Translation: Moron or retard/ Used to describe someone who has previously had a sickness
Another funny scene in Reply 1988 is when Deok-sun and Jung-hwan ran to each other while heading out to school. They began to exchange curse words like 병신 (Byung-Shi). The funniest thing about this scene is that Deok-sun had a grain of rice near her mouth throughout their argument, which made her somehow embarrassed, but, of course, Jung-hwan finds it cute (secretly).
9. 호로새끼 (Ho-Ro-Sae-Ggi)
English Translation: Bastard son/ bastard offspring
This is another common Korean swear word that you’ll often hear. The meaning of it is not really a bad word, but it is used as a swear word, especially when you add “crazy” in the beginning.
10. 개새끼 (Gae-Sae-Ggi/Gae-Sae-Kki)
English Translation: Son of a b*tch/ Asshole
This is another Korean swear word that you’ll usually hear from Koreans. One of the most unforgettable scenes where a K-drama character used this swear word is in Itaewon Class when Park Sae-ro-yi beat up Jang Geun-won for killing his father.
11. 꺼져 (Ggeo-jyeo)
English Translation: Get the f*ck out of here; Go to hell
When you want to make a person leave, or you don’t want to see them, you can say 꺼져 (Ggeo-jyeo). It is not necessarily a curse word but more one of the most popular Korean insults. In Korean dramas, you’ll usually see bosses say this to their people when they are mad. But, you can also hear this being used among close friends.
12. 죽을래? (Jugeullae?)
English Translation: Do you want to die?
Who in the Korean drama world hasn’t heard this swear word? You can listen to this in almost all modern K-dramas nowadays. One of the most iconic scenes where you can listen to this swear word is when Sun-woo tries to hold Bo-ra’s hand when they are inside his room in Korean drama
13. 좆됐어 (Joj-Dwaesseo)
English Translation: I am f*cked/it’s f*cked
One of the funniest scenes in K-dramas is when the characters are in a difficult situation or, let’s just say; they are screwed. This is the phrase that they usually say. This isn’t a term you would use to curse at people; instead, it’s just an expression that implies “I’m f*cked.”
14. 제정신이야? (Jejeongsin-iya?)
English Translation: What’s wrong with you?/ Wtf is wrong?
This is a rude phrase used when you can’t understand why the person behaves weirdly. In K-dramas, the statement is sometimes used to initiate a conversation with a friend, even though it is sometimes deemed offensive. The curse word 왜 이래 wae irae also has a similar meaning. It means, “What’s wrong with you?”
15. 미쳤어요? (Michossoyo)
English Translation: Are you nuts?/Are you insane?
Remember when Chan-sung cut out all the unnecessary expenses of Man-wol and told her that he would sell her cars because of her debts? This is exactly the Korean swear word that she said. You’ll hear this a lot, not just in K-dramas. You can use this when you think the idea is insanely ridiculous.
16. 뿅 갔나? (Pyong Gassna?)
English Translation: Have you lost your mind?
This term is typically linked with inebriated behavior. The typical expression for “Have you lost your mind?” is the term “Micheoseo?”. However, if you want to increase the level of rudeness, you may hear this phrase instead.
17. 또라이 (Tto-ra-i)
English Translation: Nutjob/Freak/Crazy
Many would agree that one of the best K-drama characters who have said this swear word is Choi Ae-ra in Fight For My Way. With the swear word, plus the facial expression, and tone, you wouldn’t want her character saying this to you.
18. 그만해! (Geumanhae)
English Translation: Cut it out!/Enough!
If someone is doing something that annoys you or makes you upset, this is the phrase you can use. One perfect example is the scene in Itaewon Class where Geun-Won and Geun-Soo had a heated fight in front of their dad, Jang Dae-Hee.
19. 재수 없어 (Jaesu Eobs-eo)
English Translation: You suck!
To express your extreme disappointment to someone, you can use 재수 없어 (Jaesu Eobs-eo). One of the iconic characters who said this is Oh Soo-A in Itaewon Class. It can be used when you’re extremely angry or just annoyed.
Other Korean Swear Words
Top 3 FAQs for Korean Swear Words
1. When Is It Appropriate To Use Korean Swear Words?
Swear words are typically used among friends or in informal settings where everyone is comfortable with such language. Close friends might joke using these words without offense. However, it’s best to avoid them in formal situations, like workplaces or when speaking to elders. Using swear words in public can also lead to negative reactions, so being mindful of the context and your audience is essential.
2. What Are Some Cultural Considerations When Using Korean Swear Words?
Understanding the cultural context is crucial when using Korean swear words. Respect and hierarchy are significant in Korean communication, and using such language can be seen as disrespectful, especially toward elders or superiors. The emotional weight of these words can differ by situation. Being aware of these nuances helps navigate conversations effectively and avoid offending others.
3. Are There Any Korean Swear Words That Are Less Offensive?
Yes, there are milder Korean words that express frustration without being harsh. For instance, “어이” (eoi) is used to get someone’s attention or express disbelief in a less aggressive way. While not as strong, it can still convey irritation. Learning these milder expressions allows you to communicate feelings respectfully, which is especially useful in mixed company or formal settings.
There’s More Than Just Swear Words In The Korean Language!
Did you enjoy learning Korean swear words? Just as there are many activities to do in Korea, delicious Korean foods to eat, and various aspects of Korean culture to experience, there are also many Korean words to learn beyond just the swear words.
You can’t get by just with this bit of knowledge. In fact, you can’t use these words if you have no deeper understanding of the language and you have no friends to talk to at all. So, expand your Korean vocabulary and improve your Korean language skills. To do that, the Ling app can be your best buddy.
With lots of innovative features, you can master Korean language learning in record time. Say goodbye to hassle because you can learn Korean at your own home anytime. The Ling app also made it possible to learn Korean extensively while having fun. Improve your Korean language skills with 200 core lessons and various Korean mini-games.
