욕
yok
The Korean term for "swear word" is 욕 (yok).
욕 is the standard way to refer to a swear word or profanity. To express the action of swearing or using swear words, you combine it with the verb '하다' (to do) to form the phrase 욕을 하다. Within this category, different terms carry different weights: 씨발 is a strong profanity equivalent to the English term 'f**k', while 개새끼 is a highly offensive and derogatory term similar to calling someone a 'son of a b*tch'. Other terms include 병신, which is an extremely offensive insult regarding intelligence and 젠장, which is a less explicit word used to express frustration similar to 'damn'.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can also use the suffix '-쟁이' with 욕 to create the noun 욕쟁이, which refers to someone who habitually uses swear words.
How do you pronounce it?
yok
Did you know?
- In Korea, a '욕쟁이' (a person who swears a lot) is not always viewed as a villain. In certain traditional contexts, such as an old street food stall, a '욕쟁이 할머니' (swearing grandmother) is often seen as a charming, blunt, and warm-hearted figure who shows affection through rough language.
- The word 욕 comes from the Hanja character 辱, which originally meant 'shame' or 'humiliation' rather than just a bad word.
- Many Korean profanities use the word 개 ('dog') as a prefix to intensify the insult. This stems from the historical view of dogs as low-status or impure animals, which is used to lower the target's social standing.
Examples in context
- 씨발, 이거 왜 안되지?F**k, why isn't this working?
- 그는 혼자서 욕을 했어요.geuneun honjaseo yogeul haesseoyo.He swore to himself.
- 욕은 하지 마세요.yogeun haji maseyo.Please do not use swear words.
- 너무 심한 욕은 피해야 해요.neomu simhan yogeun pihaeya haeyo.You should avoid using very harsh swear words.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are discussing a movie they watched.
- 민지 Min-ji그 영화에 욕이 너무 많았어요.geu yeonghwae yogi neomu manhasseoyo.There were too many swear words in that movie.
- 민준 Min-jun맞아요, 민지 씨도 그렇게 느꼈군요.majayo, Minji ssi do geureoke neukkyeotgunyo.That's right, you felt that way too, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji듣기 좀 불편했어요.deutgi jom bulpyeonhaesseoyo.It was a bit uncomfortable to hear.
- 민준 Min-jun저도 욕이 너무 많아서 놀랐어요.jeodo yogi neomu manhaseo nollasseoyo.I was also surprised because there were so many swear words.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 욕, CC BY-SA 4.0.
