똥
ttong[t͈o̞ŋ]
The English phrase "caca" is translated into Korean as 똥 (ttong).
While 똥 is the standard informal word, 똥물 is used to describe liquid or diarrhea-type feces and 똥덩어리 refers to solid or well-formed feces.
Which one should you use?
The term 똥 is a general, informal word, whereas 대변 is a specific term used for feces. Additionally, 똥물 is used specifically for liquid feces, while 똥덩어리 describes solid feces.
How do you pronounce it?
ttong
Did you know?
- There is a traditional Korean folk belief that if you dream of 똥, it predicts financial gain or winning the lottery.
- The word 똥 is used in several common compound words and idioms, such as 똥손 (ttong-son), which literally means 'dung hands'. It is a slang term for someone who is extremely clumsy or bad at everything they try.
- While 똥 is quite blunt, you might see the term 황금똥 (hwang-geum-ttong) used in health contexts. It literally translates to 'golden feces', referring to the ideal, healthy shape and color.
Examples in context
- 강아지가 똥을 쌌어요.gang-a-ji-ga ttong-eul ssat-eo-yo.The puppy pooped.
- 이건 똥 모양 장난감이야.i-geon ttong mo-yang jang-nan-gam-i-ya.This is a poop-shaped toy.
- 길에 똥이 있어요.gil-e ttong-i it-eo-yo.There is poop on the road.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are walking their dog in the park.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈아, 저기 똥이 있어.Subin-a, jeogi ttong-i isseo.Subin, there is poop over there.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말? 조심해서 가자.Jeongmal? Josim-haeseo gaja.Really? Let's walk carefully.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo우리 강아지 똥이야?Uri gang-aji ttong-iya?Is it our dog's poop?
- 수빈 Su-bin아니, 다른 강아지 건가 봐.Ani, dareun gang-aji geon-ga bwa.No, I think it belongs to another dog.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 똥, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
