개 (gae)

kɛ̝exclamation

What does 개 (gae) mean? 개 (gae) is a Korean moderate that translates to “fucking (prefix)” in English.

dog

01

"fucking (prefix)"

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

이거 개맛있어! (Igeo gae-masisseo! - This is fucking delicious!)

Context

  • Casual conversations with friends
  • Informal settings where profanity is accepted
  • As a spontaneous exclamation

Avoid

  • Professional or formal settings
  • Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations

Cultural Context

In internet slang, 'gae' is attached to almost everything (e.g., 개좋아 = fucking good). Mild enough for youth to use casually, but still improper for formal settings.

More in Korean 🇰🇷

View all →
3 / 5insult, sexual

쌍놈 (ssangnom)

s͈a̠ŋno̞m

scumbag / uncultured bastard

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

4 / 5exclamation, insult

씨발 (ssibal)

ɕ͈iba̠ɭ

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'.

4 / 5insult, sexual

미친년 (michinnyeon)

mit͡ɕʰinɲʌ̹n

crazy bitch / psycho bitch

The female equivalent of michinnom. Highly offensive slur for women acting irrationally.

4 / 5body part, exclamation

좆까 (jokka)

t͡ɕo̞k͈a̠

fuck you / bullshit / fuck off

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

3 / 5exclamation, insult

닥쳐 (dakchyeo)

ta̠k̚t͡ɕʰjʌ̹

shut the fuck up

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

3 / 5exclamation, insult

지랄발광 (jiralbalgwang)

t͡ɕiɾa̠ɭba̠ɭɡwa̠ŋ

throwing an absolute shit fit / going completely apeshit

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

4 / 5insult

개새끼 (gaesaekki)

kɛ̝sʰɛ̝k͈i

son of a bitch / bastard

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

3 / 5insult, sexual

한남 (hannam)

ha̠nna̠m

toxic Korean male / incel

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