Korean word

욕하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationyokada

Meaning

  • verbswear at

Example

그는 화가 나서 상사를 욕했다.keu neun hwa ga na seo sang sa reul yo kaet tta

Because he was angry, he swore at his boss.

Illustration for 욕하다 (swear at)

More examples

그는 술에 취해 길에서 사람들을 욕했다.keu neun su re chwi hae ki re seo sa ram deu reul yo kaet tta

While drunk, he swore at people on the street.

Core concept

Using harsh words to tear down someone's dignity or reputation.

Common phrases

  • 서로 욕하다seo ro yo ka da

    trade insults

  • 속으로 욕하다so geu ro yo ka da

    curse inwardly

  • 그를 욕하다keu reul yo ka da

    insult him

Similar words

모욕하다moyokada: Insult someone through words or actions that show disrespect and cause shame.
욕설하다yoksseolhada: Say abusive or offensive words aloud.
헐뜯다heoltteuttta: Talk about someone's faults or failures in a way that harms the person's reputation.
비방하다pibanghada: Spread unfounded damaging claims about someone and harm the person's reputation.

Definition in Korean

욕설이나 낮잡는 말을 써서 사람을 모욕하는 동사.yok sseo ri na nat jjam neun ma reul sseo seo sa ra meul mo yo ka neun tong sa

Word origin

The verb combines 욕 (yo, "abusive language") with 하다 (kada, "to do"), turning the noun into the action of verbally abusing someone.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may use a verb for bad language without a target, but this Korean verb normally makes the person being targeted important to the meaning.

Other meanings

  • bad-mouthverb
  • insultverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 모욕moyokinsultnoun
  • 욕설yoksseolprofanitynoun

Word lists with this word