풍자
pungja[pʰuŋd͡ʑa̠]
Sarcasm in Korean is 풍자 (pungja).
The noun 풍자 refers to derision or facetiousness. In Korean, this word often leans more towards the meaning of 'satire' (social or political critique) than the casual, biting sarcasm used in everyday interpersonal insults.
Meaning: derision, facetiousness (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 풍자 is the noun for satire or sarcasm, 비꼬다 is the common verb used to describe the act of being sarcastic or speaking sarcastically toward someone. To describe someone's 'sarcastic tone' specifically, you can use the phrase 비꼬는 말투.
How do you pronounce it?
pungja
When do people say it?
The phrase 뭐래 is a common informal phrase used to convey sarcasm and can be translated as 'What are you saying?' or 'Yeah right!'
Did you know?
- Korean culture has a long tradition of 탈춤 or mask dances, which used 풍자 to mock the hypocrisy of the upper class without the performers being identified.
- If you want to describe someone who is being 'snarky' or 'sarcastic' in a social setting, you might use the word 비꼬다, which literally means 'to twist' or 'to bend'.
- While 풍자 is used for high-level satire, Koreans often use the word 해학 to describe a traditional form of humor that blends satire with warmth and compassion.
Examples in context
- 이 소설의 풍자 방식이 참 신선해요.i soseol-ui pungja bangsik-i cham sinseon-haeyo.The satirical style of this novel is very fresh.
Example conversation
Do-hyeon and Ji-eun are discussing a satirical play they just watched.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 이 연극 정말 재미있지 않았어요?jieun ssi, i yeongeuk jeongmal jaemiitji anasseoyo?Ji-eun, wasn't this play really interesting?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 풍자가 정말 기발해서 계속 웃었어요.ne, pungjaga jeongmal gibalhaeseo gyesok useosseoyo.Yes, the sarcasm was so clever that I kept laughing.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요, 메시지가 아주 명확하게 전달되더라고요.majayo, mesijiga aju myeonghwahage jeondaldoedeoragoyo.Right, the message was delivered very clearly.
- 지은 Ji-eun풍자 덕분에 생각할 거리도 많았던 것 같아요.pungja deokbune saenggakhal georido manatdeon geot gatayo.I think there was a lot to think about thanks to the sarcasm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sarcasm” translations and entries 풍자, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
