게
ge[ke̞]
The Korean word for crab is 게 (ge).
게 is a noun used to refer to the crustacean.
Meaning: crustacean (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
ge
Did you know?
- In Korean culinary culture, the crab is so revered that 게장, or soy-marinated raw crab, is often called the 'rice thief' because it makes people eat so much rice.
- Linguists believe the current one-syllable 게 may have evolved from an older two-syllable form, similar to the Japanese word for crab, kani.
- Many Korean idioms use the crab 게 to describe someone who is stubborn or behaves in an indirect and sideways manner.
Examples in context
- 게가 아주 커요.gega aju keoyo.The crab is very big.
- 이 게는 정말 맛있어요.i ge-neun jeongmal masisseoyo.This crab is really delicious.
- 바다에서 게를 봤어요.bada-eseo ge-reul bwasseoyo.I saw a crab in the sea.
Example conversation
A couple is at a seafood restaurant.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 이 게 진짜 커요!Ji-hun ssi, i ge jin-jja keoyo!Ji-hun, this crab is really big!
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요, 정말 신선해 보여요.majayo, jeongmal sinseonhae boyeoyo.That's right, it looks very fresh.
- 민지 Min-ji게 요리를 빨리 먹고 싶어요.ge yori-reul ppalli meokgo sipeoyo.I want to eat the crab dish quickly.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 조금만 기다려요.Min-ji ssi, jojuman gidaryeoyo.Min-ji, just wait a moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crab” translations and entries 게, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 게, CC BY-SA 4.0.
