{"id":79715,"date":"2024-02-15T09:54:43","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T14:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/curse-words-in-korean\/"},"modified":"2025-01-14T18:53:35","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T23:53:35","slug":"curse-words-in-korean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/korean\/curse-words-in-korean\/","title":{"rendered":"24 Curse Words in Korean You Really Shouldn\u2019t Use"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learning curse words in Korean, known as \uc695<\/strong>, can be especially invigorating. For a culture with plenty of rigid rules and expectations on honor and respect<\/a>, it sure seems to enjoy potty-mouthing as well.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m hoping that you at least know the basics of Korean<\/a> before you jump into this. Nonetheless, here we go: a list of 24 popular Korean curse words and insults<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]
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1. \uc8fd\uc744\ub798? \/ \uc9c8\ub798? \u2014 Wanna die?<\/h2>\n

Three syllables, a triple threat that leaves no room to the imagination. This expression is commonly said by Korean people of all ages, amongst kids in a playground or drunkards in a bar. Usually, the phrase comes off as teasing, but it can be used as a serious threat as well.<\/p>\n

\ub4a4\uc9c8\ub798, derived from \ub488\uc9c0\ub2e4<\/strong> (meaning “to dig” or “to grub about”), is more slang-y<\/a> and can be perceived to be more aggressive.<\/p>\n

You could be more direct and just straight up tell someone to kick the bucket by saying either \uc8fd\uc5b4\ub77c!<\/strong> or \ub488\uc838\ub77c!<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

2. \uc528\ubc1c \u2014 Shit, fuck<\/h2>\n

The is a classic for Koreans, one you\u2019ll hear anytime, anywhere. It works as an interjection of frustration or as a pointed insult when combined with a noun. It\u2019s a favorite because it\u2019s so versatile in its use.<\/p>\n

If you watch a mature-rated Korean movie<\/a> or K-drama<\/a>, then you\u2019ll probably hear \uc528\ubc1c in several variations at least 50 times (this is just a generous estimate).<\/p>\n

\uc528\ud314<\/strong> is another way to say it, but it sounds quite like \uc2ed\ud314<\/strong> (eighteen). Therefore, \uc528\ud314 might be considered less vulgar in certain contexts.<\/p>\n

3. \ub188 \/ \ub144 \u2014 Bastard \/ Bitch<\/h2>\n

\ub188 and \ub144 are negatory words referring to a male or female, respectively. By themselves, they\u2019re not too terrible (although \ub144 carries a stronger derogatory meaning). Saying something like \uc774\ub188<\/strong> to a dude is the equivalent of growling “This guy!” and angrily shaking a fist at him.<\/p>\n

However, when they\u2019re combined with basically any other noun or adjective, they can become rather brutal insults. You can get very creative with it, too. Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n