Korean Dictionary
How to say "Very" in Korean
“Very” in Korean is 개 (pronounced "gae").
개
gae
Usage & Context
A prefix or intensifier used to emphasize adjectives, similar to very or extremely. Common in casual speech among teenagers and young adults.
Example Sentence
오늘 날씨 개 춥다!
The weather today is very cold!
How to use 개 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Very” is 개, romanized as gae.
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 개.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced "Gae." Sounds exactly like the English word 'gay'. It's a short, sharp sound.
More Example Sentences
Discussing a movie with a friend.
어제 본 영화 개 슬펐어.
The movie I watched yesterday was super sad.
A student struggling with homework.
이 문제 개 어렵다, 어떻게 풀어?
This problem is extremely difficult, how do you solve it?
Suggesting an outing on a nice day.
오늘 날씨 개 좋다! 놀러 갈까?
The weather today is really good! Shall we go out?
Cultural Context
개 (gae) literally means 'dog,' but as a prefix, it functions as a strong intensifier, similar to 'very,' 'extremely,' or 'super.' It's widely used among young Koreans, especially teenagers and those in their early twenties, to add emphasis to adjectives. While very common in casual speech and online communication, it can be considered vulgar or impolite by older generations or in formal settings due to its origin as a derogatory term (like 'dog-like' or 'dog-shit'). It's best reserved for close friends and informal contexts.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 개 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
개 좋다
really good
개 싫다
really hate it
개 피곤하다
extremely tired
Related Expressions
너무
neomu
too, very (general intensifier)
진짜
jinjja
really, truly (general intensifier)
완전
wanjeon
completely, totally (strong intensifier)
무척
mucheok
very, extremely (more formal/polite than 개)
More Slang Words
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