개고기
gaegogi[ˈkɛ(ː)ɡo̞ɡi]
In Korean, dog meat is 개고기 (gaegogi). Wiktionary also lists 단고기 (dan'gogi).
Meaning: dog eaten as meat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 개고기 | gaegogi | [ˈkɛ(ː)ɡo̞ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈke̞(ː)ɡo̞ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 단고기 | dan'gogi | [ta̠nɡo̞ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term is used specifically to refer to the meat of a dog, often within the context of traditional dishes or historical culinary practices.
Which one should you use?
개고기 is the standard term, while 단고기 is an alternative form.
How does it change in a sentence?
개고기 is a noun and does not change its form for pluralization.
How do you pronounce it?
gaegogi
When do people say it?
A traditional Korean soup made with dog meat is known as 보신탕.
Did you know?
- The alternative term 단고기 contains the root for 'sweet', which is a linguistic attempt to make the meat sound more appetizing or pleasant to the palate.
- Because 개 is frequently used as a prefix for insults or low-quality items in Korean, the word 개고기 can carry a subconscious connotation of being 'lowly' or 'unrefined' beyond its literal meaning.
- The dish 보신탕 is often referred to by the euphemism 보양식, which simply means 'health-restoring food'.
Examples in context
- 개고기는 먹지 마세요.gaegogineun meokji maseyo.Please do not eat dog meat.
- 그는 개고기를 싫어해요.geuneun gaegogireul silheohaeyo.He dislikes dog meat.
- 개고기 냄새가 나요.gaegogi naemsaega nayo.It smells like dog meat.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-woo are discussing traditional foods.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨는 개고기를 좋아해요?Hyeon-u ssineun gaegogireul joahae-yo?Hyeon-woo, do you like dog meat?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니요, 저는 못 먹겠더라고요.aniyo, jeoneun mot meokgetdeoragoyo.No, I found that I couldn't eat it.
- 지은 Ji-eun저도 그래요. 그래서 안 먹어요.jeodo geuraeyo. geuraeseo an meogeoyo.Me too. That's why I don't eat it.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo요즘은 다들 비슷하게 생각해요.yojeumeun dadeul biseut-hage saenggakhae-yo.Everyone thinks similarly these days.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dog meat” translations and entries 개고기, 단고기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 개고기, 단고기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
