Korean
10 Korean swear words you'll actually hear
A traveller's shortlist of Korean expletives, insults and exclamations — what they mean, and how strong they are.
Every language swears differently. This guide collects 10 Korean expressions you're genuinely likely to hear — from mild exclamations to properly strong stuff — and explains what each one actually means, not just its dictionary translation.
Burn Ratings are an approximate, cross-language heuristic. Context, region, tone and who's speaking all change how a word lands. Treat these as a guide, not gospel.
- 1개뿔 2/5 · Coarse
gaeppul
Literally “dog horn”. Contemptuous word for something worthless; also dismisses a claim as nonsense. Often rejects an exaggerated claim.
Full entry → - 2
- 3
- 4눈깔 2/5 · Coarse
nunkkal
Literally “eyes”. Coarse word for someone's eyes. Disrespectful when used about another person.
Full entry → - 5대가리 2/5 · Coarse
daegari
Literally “head”. Coarse word for a human head. More neutral for some animals.
Full entry → - 6개구라 3/5 · Vulgar
gaegura
Literally “dog lie”. Complete bullshit or a blatant lie. Intensified 구라.
Full entry → - 7개뻥 3/5 · Vulgar
gaeppeong
A blatant lie or complete nonsense. Intensified slang for a lie.
Full entry → - 8개소리 3/5 · Vulgar
gaesori
Literally “dog sound”. Bullshit or nonsense. Dismisses what someone says.
Full entry → - 9개수작 3/5 · Vulgar
gaesujak
Literally “dog scheming”. A contemptible trick or manipulative behavior. Often in an angry prohibition.
Full entry → - 10개차반 3/5 · Vulgar
gaechaban
Insult for a person with appalling manners or conduct. Not a literal animal description.
Full entry →