욕설
yokseol[joks͈ʌ̹ɭ]
The English phrase "swear words" is translated into Korean as 욕설 (yokseol).
욕설 is the noun used to refer to swear words. For example, 젠장 is similar to "darn" or "shoot" in English and can be used to express frustration or mild anger. More extreme examples include the incredibly vulgar 씨발, which is equivalent to the English "f***" and the derogatory insult 병신, which means "retard".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of swearing, you use the verb 하다 (to do) with the noun 욕, resulting in the phrase 욕을 하다. Additionally, the suffix -쟁이 can be added to 욕 to create 욕쟁이, which refers to a person who has a habit of using swear words.
How do you pronounce it?
yokseol
Did you know?
- While 욕쟁이 literally means 'one who swears', there are famous 'swear-word restaurants' in Korea where the owners yell insults at customers as a form of traditional, rough affection.
- Many Korean insults are uniquely 'relational', often targeting one's parents or lineage rather than just the individual being spoken to.
- The word 욕설 is composed of two Hanja characters, 辱 meaning 'humiliation' and 說 meaning 'speech', literally translating to 'humiliating speech'.
Examples in context
- 욕설은 정말 나빠요.yokseoreun jeongmal nappayo.Swear words are really bad.
- 그 영화에는 욕설이 많아요.geu yeonghwaneun yokseori manhayo.There are many swear words in that movie.
- 아이 앞에서 욕설을 하지 마세요.ai apeseo yokseoreul haji maseyo.Please do not use swear words in front of children.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그 영화 너무 잔인하지 않았어?geu yeonghwa neomu janin-haji anasseo?Wasn't that movie too violent?
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 욕설도 너무 심했어.eung, yokseoldo neomu sim-haesseo.Yeah, the swear words were also too much.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은아, 너도 그렇게 느꼈구나.Jieun-a, neo-do geureoke neuk-gyeotguna.Jieun, so you felt that way too.
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아, 듣기 불편했어.maja, deutgi bulpyeonhaesseo.Right, it was uncomfortable to hear.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 욕설, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 욕설, CC BY-SA 4.0.
