젠장 (jenjang)
What does 젠장 (jenjang) mean? 젠장 (jenjang) is a Korean mild that translates to “damn it / crap” in English.
Literal Translation
beat it (from traditional punishment)
Meaning & Usage
"damn it / crap"
A mild exclamation of frustration or disappointment.
Examples in the Wild
젠장, 늦었다. (Jenjang, neujeotda. - Damn it, I'm late.)
When to Use It
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
Safe for TV broadcast. Often used when someone makes a mistake or gets bad news. Comparable to 'shoot' or 'darn'.
More in Korean 🇰🇷
View all →씨발 (ssibal)
“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'.
개새끼 (gaesaekki)
“son of a bitch / bastard”
A harsh personal insult directed at males. Uses the degrading animal classifier 'gae' (dog) with 'saekki' (offspring).
새끼 (saekki)
“bastard / punk / brat”
When applied to animals, it means 'baby' (e.g., puppy). When applied to humans, it is demeaning.
쌍놈 (ssangnom)
“scumbag / uncultured bastard”
The male equivalent of ssangnyeon. Uncultured, rude, low-class man.
한남 (hannam)
“toxic Korean male / incel”
Short for 'Hanguk Namja' (Korean male), used online with a derogatory connotation implying misogyny.
관종 (gwanjong)
“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.
좆까 (jokka)
“fuck you / bullshit / fuck off”
An incredibly vulgar and aggressive way to dismiss someone's words or presence. Literally referring to pulling back foreskin.
닥쳐 (dakchyeo)
“shut the fuck up”
A forceful and aggressive way to tell someone to stop talking.