What does 닥쳐 (dakchyeo) mean?
- 닥쳐dakchyeo
Shut up!
Casual: friends and people younger than you
닥쳐 (dakchyeo) means "Shut up!" in Korean. It is a harsh, rude command and much stronger than a playful "be quiet". In K-dramas you hear it in fights and tense scenes.
Where it comes from
닥쳐 is the casual command form of 닥치다, which in this sense means "to shut one's mouth".
How to use 닥쳐
닥쳐 is genuinely rude. Never say it to parents, teachers, bosses, older people or strangers. Even with friends it can cause a real argument unless you are obviously joking and very close.
입 닥쳐 ("Shut your mouth") is even stronger and more aggressive. If you just want someone to be quiet, 조용히 해 ("Be quiet") or 그만해 ("Stop it") are much milder.
Learners mostly need to understand 닥쳐 when they hear it in dramas, not use it. If you do joke with it among close friends, keep your tone clearly playful.
Examples
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Two siblings fighting in a drama scene
A close friend keeps spoiling a movie
A tense argument between rivals
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 입 닥쳐 | Shut your mouth | Stronger and more aggressive. |
| 조용히 해 | Be quiet | Much milder, still casual. |
| 그만해 | Stop it | Casual, firm but not insulting. |
| 조용히 해 주세요 | Please be quiet | Polite request. |
Questions learners ask
Is dakchyeo a bad word?
It is not profanity, but it is very rude. It is like a harsh "Shut up!" and should never be said to elders or strangers.
Can I say dakchyeo to my friends?
Only if you are very close and clearly joking. Otherwise it can start a real fight.
What is a politer way to say be quiet in Korean?
Say 조용히 해 to friends, or 조용히 해 주세요 to be polite.