Korean swear words

“fuck / shit”

The most ubiquitous Korean swear word. Originally referred to a prostitute or incest, it is now an all-purpose swear similar to the English 'fuck'.

“son of a bitch / bastard”

A harsh personal insult directed at males. Uses the degrading animal classifier 'gae' (dog) with 'saekki' (offspring).

“bastard / punk / brat”

When applied to animals, it means 'baby' (e.g., puppy). When applied to humans, it is demeaning.

“toxic Korean male / incel”

Short for 'Hanguk Namja' (Korean male), used online with a derogatory connotation implying misogyny.

“attention whore / clout chaser”

Short for 'Gwansim jongja'. Refers to someone who is desperate for internet fame or attention, often acting foolishly to get it.

“scumbag / uncultured bastard”

The male equivalent of ssangnyeon. Uncultured, rude, low-class man.

“bullshit / freakin'”

Used to describe absurd or annoying behavior, wishing a fatal disease upon them.

“fuck you / bullshit / fuck off”

An incredibly vulgar and aggressive way to dismiss someone's words or presence. Literally referring to pulling back foreskin.

“shut the fuck up”

A forceful and aggressive way to tell someone to stop talking.

“sucker / pushover / simp”

A naive person who is easily scammed or taken advantage of.

“fucking asshole / piece of shit”

A more venomous pronunciation of 'ssangnom'.

“damn it / shit”

An exclamation of anger, a shortened/slurred version of ssangnyeon/ssangnom.

“fucking (prefix)”

When used as a prefix, it heavily intensifies the following word, originally negatively, but now both positively and negatively.

“pussy / weakling / loser”

Describes someone who is extremely weak, worthless, or easily defeated.

“retard / idiot / asshole”

Ableist slur originally meaning someone with a physical or mental disability. Used to call someone a complete idiot.

“bullshit / nonsense”

Refers to someone speaking nonsense or lies. Literally meaning their words are just a dog barking.

“throwing an absolute shit fit / going completely apeshit”

An intensified version of jiral meaning someone is going completely and publicly insane or overreacting wildly.

“nutjob / whacko / freak”

Someone who is out of their mind, eccentric, or acts in socially unacceptable ways.