까꿍
kkakkung[k͈a̠k͈uŋ]
The English phrase peekaboo is translated into Korean as 까꿍 (kkakkung).
까꿍 functions as both a noun referring to the game of peekaboo and as an exclamation used during the game when playing with infants.
Meaning: game for small children (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
kkakkung
Did you know?
- While 까꿍 is for babies, Korean adults sometimes use it jokingly with each other when appearing unexpectedly or 'surprising' a friend from behind a door.
- The sound of 까꿍 is designed to mimic the high-pitched and sudden nature of a surprise, using a double consonant ㄲ to create a sharp, popping sound.
- In modern Korean digital culture, 까꿍 is frequently used as a cute caption for photos where a pet or person is partially hiding their face.
Examples in context
- 아기가 까꿍을 좋아해요.agiga kkakkungeul joahaeyo.The baby likes peekaboo.
- 까꿍 놀이를 하고 있어요.kkakkung norireul hago isseoyo.I am playing peekaboo.
- 우리 까꿍 할까?uri kkakkung halkka?Shall we play peekaboo?
Example conversation
A young couple playing with their baby in the living room.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연아, 우리 아기한테 까꿍 해줄까?Seoyeona, uri agihante kkakkung haejulkka?Seoyeon, shall we play peekaboo for our baby?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 현우 씨가 먼저 해봐요.Eung, Hyeon-u ssiga meonjeo haebwayo.Yes, Hyeon-u, you try it first.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo까꿍! 아기가 정말 웃네요.Kkakkung! Agiga jeongmal utneyo.Peekaboo! The baby is really laughing.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 귀여워요.Jeongmal gwiyeowoyo.It is so cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “peekaboo” translations and entries 까꿍, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
