Moderate

개- (gae-) meaning in Korean

개- · gae-

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'gae-' (개-) is a Korean slang prefix used as a powerful intensifier, translating to 'very', 'extremely', or 'fucking'. It is commonly attached to nouns, adjectives, or verbs to strongly emphasize emotions in casual conversations among close friends.

Pronunciation

gae-

Intensity

Moderate

Frequency

Common

Categories

S-Lang

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Meaning

The prefix gae- literally translates to dog in Korean, but in modern slang, it is used as a powerful intensifier meaning very, extremely, or fucking. It can be attached to almost any noun, adjective, or verb to strongly emphasize the word that follows.

Korean editor note

접두사 개-는 본래 개(犬)를 뜻하지만, 현대 속어에서는 매우, 엄청나게라는 뜻의 강조 용법으로 널리 쓰입니다. 명사, 형용사, 동사 앞에 붙어 뒤에 오는 단어의 의미를 극대화하며, 긍정적인 맥락과 부정적인 맥락 모두에서 자유롭게 사용됩니다.

Nuance and usage context

Understanding when and how to use 개- matters as much as knowing its meaning. Tone, social setting, and formality all affect how this word lands.

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Examples

이 영화 개재밌어!

This movie is fucking hilarious!

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