Korean Dictionary
How to say "Dad Joke" in Korean
“Dad Joke” in Korean is 아재개그 (pronounced "ajae gaeg").
아재개그
ajae gaeg
Usage & Context
Jokes that are corny, outdated, or considered unfunny by younger people. Often told by older men and characterized by puns or obvious punchlines.
Example Sentence
그 농담 진짜 아재개그네.
That joke is really a dad joke.
How to use 아재개그 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Dad Joke” is 아재개그, romanized as ajae gaeg.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 아재개그.
Pronunciation Guide
아 (a) sounds like 'ah' in 'father'. 재 (jae) sounds like 'jae' in 'jelly' but with a softer 'j' and a short 'ae' sound like 'a' in 'cat'. 개 (gae) sounds like 'gae' in 'gag'. 그 (geu) sounds like 'goo' in 'good' but with a shorter 'oo' sound. The stress is fairly even.
More Example Sentences
Colleagues reacting to a boss's corny joke.
팀장님 아재개그에 다들 억지로 웃었어.
Everyone forced a laugh at the team leader's dad joke.
Describing a family member's particular sense of humor.
우리 삼촌은 아재개그의 달인이야.
My uncle is a master of dad jokes.
Apologizing after telling a corny joke, often self-deprecatingly.
내가 방금 아재개그 했지? 미안.
I just told a dad joke, didn't I? Sorry.
Cultural Context
아재개그 literally translates to 'ajae gag' or 'uncle joke,' perfectly mirroring the English 'dad joke.' These jokes are typically puns, wordplays, or very obvious, simple jokes that are often considered unfunny or 'cringey' by younger generations but are a staple of older men's humor. They are a common trope in K-dramas and variety shows, often used to highlight a character's age or awkwardness, or for comedic relief. Despite being 'unfunny,' they often elicit a groan or a polite forced laugh, which is part of their charm.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 아재개그 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
아재개그 하지 마
Don't tell dad jokes.
아재개그 빵 터졌다
The dad joke was so bad it was funny (literally 'exploded').
아재개그 모음
Collection of dad jokes.
Related Expressions
썰렁하다
sseolleonghada
to be chilly, to be lame/corny (describes a joke that falls flat)
말장난
maljangnan
wordplay, pun
개그
gaeg
gag, joke (general term)
유머
yumeo
humor
More Slang Words
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