꽃뱀
kkotbaem[k͈o̞t̚p͈ɛm]feminine
The English phrase 'gold digger' can be translated into Korean as 꽃뱀 (kkotbaem).
The term is used to describe a woman who uses romantic or sexual relationships to extort money or material gain from men.
Meaning: person who cultivates a personal relationship in order to attain money or material goods, power (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term literally translates to 'flower snake'.
How do you pronounce it?
kkotbaem
When do people say it?
The term implies a predatory nature, comparing the person to a snake that uses a beautiful appearance (the 'flower') to lure and harm its prey.
Did you know?
- While 꽃뱀 is almost exclusively used for women, the term 제비 meaning 'swallow' is used to describe men who seduce wealthy women for money.
- Because 꽃뱀 is a very strong accusation, using it in a public setting can potentially lead to a lawsuit for defamation in South Korea.
- In Korean pop culture, the term 꽃뱀 is frequently used in 'makjang' dramas to describe a character who plots to ruin a wealthy family through deception.
Examples in context
- 그 여자는 꽃뱀이야.geu yeojaneun kkotbaemiya.That woman is a gold digger.
- 그녀는 꽃뱀 같은 사람이에요.geunyeoneun kkotbaem gat-eun saramieyo.She is a person like a gold digger.
Example conversation
Seoyeon warns Jihun about a woman he is dating.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 그 여자 조심하세요.Jihun ssi, geu yeoja josimhaseyo.Jihun, be careful with that woman.
- 지훈 Ji-hun왜요? 정말 좋은 사람인데요.waeyo? jeongmal joeun saramindeyo.Why? She is a really good person.
- 서연 Seo-yeon사실 그 여자 꽃뱀이에요.sasil geu yeoja kkotbaemieyo.Actually, that woman is a gold digger.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 믿을 수 없네요.jeongmal mideul su eomneyo.I really can't believe it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gold digger” translations and entries 꽃뱀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
