호로새끼 (horosaekki)

ho̞ɾo̞sʰɛ̝k͈iinsult

What does 호로새끼 (horosaekki) mean? 호로새끼 (horosaekki) is a Korean nuclear that translates to “son of a bitch / bastard” in English.

child without a father

01

"son of a bitch / bastard"

Attacks someone by claiming they have no father and thus no manners/education.

이런 호로새끼! (Ireon horosaekki! - You fatherless bastard!)

Context

  • Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
  • Only among very close friends who share this register
  • Direct confrontation (use with caution)

Avoid

  • Professional or formal settings
  • Around elders or authority figures
  • Public spaces — will cause genuine offense
  • Almost any situation — this is as offensive as it gets
  • Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations

Cultural Context

EXTREMELY offensive in a Confucian society where paternal lineage defines worth. Using this implies the person's mother was unfaithful. Will start a physical fight.

More in Korean 🇰🇷

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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.