호구
hogu[ˈɸʷo̞(ː)ɡu]
The English phrase "simp" can be translated into Korean as 호구 (hogu).
While the English term "simp" specifically focuses on someone who is desperate for romantic attention, 호구 is used more broadly to describe anyone who is a pushover or a sucker in any social context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
호구 is an informal, colloquial term. Depending on the context, it can be used as an insult.
How do you pronounce it?
hogu
Did you know?
- The term 호구 is a metaphor from the board game Go, referring to a stone placed directly into the 'mouth' of a tiger to be captured.
- In a completely different context, the same characters used in 호구 can refer to a 'household registration' or a census of people living in a house.
- In Korean pop culture and variety shows, the '호구' character is often a trope used for comedic effect to show someone being innocently deceived.
Examples in context
- 그는 완전히 호구처럼 행동해.geuneun wanjeonhi hogucheoreom haengdonghae.He acts completely like a simp.
- 너 너무 호구인 것 같아.neo neomu hoguin geot gata.I think you are being such a simp.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Min-jun are discussing a friend's behavior.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준, 쟤는 왜 저렇게까지 해?Minjun, jyaeneun wae jeoreoke-kkaji hae?Min-jun, why is he doing so much for her?
- 민준 Min-jun진짜 완전 호구잖아.jinjja wanjeon hogujana.He's a total simp.
- 지은 Ji-eun너무 불쌍하다.neomu bulssanghada.That's so pathetic.
- 민준 Min-jun맞아, 이용만 당할 거야.maja, iyongman danghal geoya.Right, he's just being used.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 호구, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 호구, CC BY-SA 4.0.
