Korean Dictionary
How to say "Kkondae" in Korean
“Kkondae” in Korean is 꼰대 (pronounced "Kkondae").
꼰대
Kkondae
Usage & Context
꼰대 refers to an older person who is closed-minded preachy and imposes their outdated views on younger people. The term is widely used by Korean millennials and Gen Z to describe bosses or elders who refuse to listen. It has become a major topic in Korean generational conflict discussions.
Example Sentence
우리 팀장님은 꼰대 기질이 좀 있어.
Our team leader has a bit of a kkondae tendency.
How to use 꼰대 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Kkondae” is 꼰대, romanized as Kkondae.
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 꼰대.
Pronunciation Guide
꼰 (kkon) has a strong, aspirated 'k' sound, similar to 'con' in 'condo' but with more tension. 대 (dae) sounds like 'day'. Put it together as Kkon-dae.
More Example Sentences
A colleague complaining about their boss's outdated views.
우리 부장님은 맨날 옛날 얘기만 하고 꼰대 같아.
Our manager always talks about the old days and acts like a kkondae.
Someone expressing a personal fear of developing 'kkondae' traits.
나도 나이 들면 꼰대 될까 봐 걱정돼.
I worry that I might become a kkondae when I get older too.
An observation about generational differences and workplace dynamics.
요즘 젊은 세대는 꼰대 문화를 싫어해.
Younger generations these days dislike kkondae culture.
Cultural Context
꼰대 refers to an older person, typically a boss or elder, who is perceived as preachy, closed-minded, and imposes their outdated views or experiences on younger individuals. It's a term widely used by Korean millennials and Gen Z to express frustration with hierarchical structures and a lack of open-mindedness from older generations. K-dramas and webtoons often feature 'kkondae' characters to highlight generational conflicts in workplaces and families, making it a significant cultural touchstone in modern Korea.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 꼰대 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
꼰대 같다
to be like a kkondae
꼰대질 하다
to act like a kkondae (to preach, to be condescending)
꼰대 문화
kkondae culture
Related Expressions
라떼는 말이야
latteneun mariya
"Back in my day..." (a phrase often associated with kkondae)
권위적
gwonwijeok
Authoritarian, bossy
고집불통
gojipbultong
Stubborn, pig-headed
아재
ajae
Middle-aged man (can sometimes overlap with kkondae traits)
More Slang Words
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