How to say “Stupid” in Korean

  1. 바보babo

    Silly / Dummy

"Stupid" in Korean is most often 바보 (babo), which is mild and often said with affection, like "silly" or "dummy". 멍청해 (meongcheonghae) is a stronger "stupid" that can really hurt when you aim it at someone.

Ways to say it

KoreanLevelWhen to use it
바보
babo		Casual"Silly" or "dummy". Mild, often playful between couples and friends. Still never call a parent, teacher or older person 바보.
바보 같아
babo gata		Casual"That's silly" or "I feel stupid". Safe when you say it about yourself.
멍청해
meongcheonghae		Casual"Stupid" or "dumb". Rude when said about a person. Never to elders, teachers, a boss or strangers.
멍청이
meongcheongi		Casual"Idiot." A real insult. Only between very close friends joking, and never to anyone older.
한심해
hansimhae		Casual"Pathetic." Cold and hurtful, even more than calling someone stupid. Avoid it with people.
어리석은 생각
eoriseogeun saenggak		Any"A foolish idea." 어리석다 (eoriseokda) is a serious, bookish word, usually about a decision or idea rather than a person.

Examples

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After forgetting your keys

Ugh, I feel so stupid.

Gently correcting a partner

Silly, that's not it.

Discussing a plan at work

That's a foolish idea.
Kkachi the magpie

Hanbok explains every word and ending in a sentence, with audio and a translation. Try it on this example, or paste your own line from a drama, a song or a text.

Tips

How rude is it? 바보 is mild and often sweet between couples or friends. 멍청이 and 멍청해 are real insults when aimed at someone. 한심해 is cold and hurtful. None of these should ever be said to parents, grandparents, teachers, a boss, customers or older people, not even as a joke.

Saying these words about yourself is fine and common: 나 바보야 (na baboya) means "I'm such a dummy."

Dramas also use much stronger insults than these. They are offensive, so this page leaves them out. If you hear a word in a fight scene, assume it is not safe to repeat.

Questions learners ask

Is 바보 rude?

Usually not very. Between friends or couples it is playful, like "silly". But calling an older person 바보 is disrespectful.

What is the difference between 바보 and 멍청이?

바보 is mild and often affectionate. 멍청이 is stronger and sounds like a real insult, closer to "idiot".

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