귀여운 강아지
gwiyeoun gang-aji
The English phrase "cute dog" is translated into Korean as 귀여운 강아지 (gwiyeoun gang-aji).
귀여운 강아지 is used to describe a small dog or puppy that is attractive and endearing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 귀여운 (cute) and the noun 강아지 (puppy/young dog).
Which one should you use?
While 강아지 (gang-aji) literally means puppy or young dog, native speakers very commonly use it to refer to any pet dog regardless of its actual age. 강아지 is the preferred term when expressing affection for a dog.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 귀여운 is the adjective 귀엽다 (to be cute) in its attributive form, which allows it to modify a noun directly.
How do you pronounce it?
gwiyeoun gang-aji
Did you know?
- In many Korean online communities, people use the word 댕댕이 (daeng-daeng-i) instead of 강아지 to describe a cute dog. This comes from a visual trick where the characters for 'gae' are replaced to look like 'daeng'.
- In Korean, 강아지 is often used as a term of endearment for people, such as children or romantic partners, similar to 'honey' or 'baby' in English.
- If you are talking to a dog directly, you might call it 우리 강아지 (uri gang-aji), which translates to 'our puppy'. Even if it is your only dog, using 'our' expresses a sense of closeness and belonging.
Examples in context
- 저의 친구는 귀여운 개를 키워요.My friend has a cute dog.
- 저 귀여운 강아지는 누구 거예요?jeo gwiyeoun gangaji-neun nugu geoyeyo?Whose cute dog is that?
- 귀여운 강아지를 보고 싶어요.gwiyeoun gangaji-reul bogo sipeoyo.I want to see a cute dog.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are walking in a park.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 저 귀여운 강아지 좀 보세요!Minji ssi, jeo gwiyeoun gangaji jom boseyo!Minji, look at that cute dog!
- 민지 Min-ji정말 귀여운 강아지네요!Jeongmal gwiyeoun gangaji-neyo!It is a really cute dog!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo강아지가 아주 작아요.Gangaji-ga aju jagayo.The dog is very small.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨도 좋아하시네요.Hyunwoo ssi-do joahashineyo.You like it too, Hyunwoo.
