Key Facts
- Korean: 개, Revised Romanization gae
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: native Korean
- Register: neutral everyday word
- Counter for dogs: 마리
Dog in Korean: What Does 개 Mean?
개 means dog. The same spelling is also the general counter "item", as in 사과 세 개, three apples; context makes the difference clear.
How Do You Pronounce 개?
개 is one syllable, [gae], with the vowel of "bed" and a soft g.
Example Sentences with 개
개가 짖어요.
Gaega jijeoyo.
The dog barks.
짖어요 means "barks".
저는 개를 좋아해요.
Jeoneun gaereul joahaeyo.
I like dogs.
저는 means "I", as the topic, and 좋아해요 means "like".
우리 집에는 개가 두 마리 있어요.
Uri jibeneun gaega du mari isseoyo.
We have two dogs at home.
두 마리 means "two" plus the animal counter. 우리 집에는 means "at our house".
Phrases with 개
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 개를 키우다 | to keep a dog |
| 개가 짖다 | a dog barks |
| 애견 | pet dog |
애견 is a Sino-Korean word for a pet dog, common in shop names.
A Common Mistake with 개
- Wrong: 개 두 개
- Correct: 개 두 마리
The counter 개 is for objects. Animals, including dogs, take 마리.
개 Compared with 강아지 and the Counter 개
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 개 | dog | General word |
| 강아지 | puppy / pet dog | Puppy, or a pet dog said warmly |
| 개 | (counter) item | General counter, e.g. 사과 세 개 |
On a Walk: Asking before Petting a Dog
A passerby meets an owner walking a dog. The passerby asks permission before reaching out. Both speakers use polite everyday speech.
Passerby:
강아지가 정말 귀여워요.
Gangajiga jeongmal gwiyeowoyo.
Your dog is really cute.
Owner:
감사해요. 세 살이에요.
Gamsahaeyo. Se sarieyo.
Thank you. It’s three years old.
Passerby:
만져도 돼요?
Manjyeodo dwaeyo?
May I pet it?
Owner:
네, 괜찮아요.
Ne, gwaenchanayo.
Yes, that’s fine.
The dog is three, yet the passerby calls it 강아지. That shows the affectionate pet use rather than proving it is a puppy. 만져도 돼요 asks whether touching is allowed; English naturally uses “pet” in this scene. The owner’s answer applies to this dog in this moment.
Where Will You See Dog Vocabulary?
반려견 means a companion dog. You will meet it in notices, pet services, and discussions of keeping dogs. 반려동물 is broader: it means a companion animal and can include a cat or another pet. 애견 also appears in business names, including 애견 미용, dog grooming.
A cafe or accommodation notice may use 반려견 동반, meaning that a dog accompanies its owner. 동반 means accompaniment. The words identify the subject of the notice, but the rest of the notice tells you whether dogs are allowed and what conditions apply. A picture of a dog can help, but the written condition still matters.
개 is neutral when it names the animal. Applied to a person, it can be insulting, and 개 also appears in rude expressions. A learner can recognize those uses without copying them into a conversation. For meeting someone's pet, 강아지 is a familiar warm choice.
Common Combinations for Life with a Dog
개를 키우다 means to keep or raise a dog. It describes looking after the animal over time. 개를 산책시키다 means to walk a dog: the person takes the dog out for a walk. The dog is the object in both phrases, so 개 takes 를.
개가 짖다 means a dog barks, while 개가 물다 means a dog bites. Here the dog performs the action, so 개 takes 가. This small change helps you follow a notice or a story: the owner raises or walks the dog, and the dog barks or bites.
개 한 마리 means one dog; 개 두 마리 means two dogs. 마리 counts the animals, while 개 before the number names them. The two uses of 개 can otherwise make a phrase confusing for an English speaker, because the same written word can also count ordinary objects.
Words to Learn for a Dog Walk
| Korean | Meaning | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| 목줄 | leash | Identify the equipment used to keep a dog close. |
| 산책 | walk; stroll | Talk about the dog's outing. |
| 사료 | animal feed; pet food | Name the food bought for a pet. |
| 반려견 | companion dog | Recognize dog-related notices and services. |
The animal vocabulary lesson teaches the wider animal set. For a conversation about your own dog, its age, food, and walks will usually be more useful than naming its breed. The dialogue also shows that affectionate 강아지 and neutral 개 can refer to the same adult animal.
Quick Self-Test
- Which counter belongs in 개 두 ___?
- Must a dog called 강아지 be less than a year old?
- What does 만져도 돼요 ask in the dialogue?
Show answers
- 마리: 개 두 마리.
- No. 강아지 is also used affectionately for an adult pet.
- Permission to touch or pet the dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Say Dog in Korean?
Say 개 (gae). It is the general native word for a dog of any size or age. In everyday speech, many Koreans call their pet dog 강아지, even a fully grown one, because it sounds warmer. 개 is the neutral, factual word.
How Do You Count Dogs in Korean?
Use the animal counter 마리 with native Korean numbers: 개 두 마리 is two dogs, and 개가 두 마리 있어요 means "there are two dogs". Do not count dogs with the general counter 개, which is for objects such as apples.
What Is the Difference between 개 and 강아지?
개 is the general word for a dog. 강아지 is a puppy, and in daily speech also an affectionate word for a small pet dog of any age. Use 개 for dogs in general and 강아지 when talking warmly about a pet.
How Do You Say "I Like Dogs" in Korean?
Say 저는 개를 좋아해요 (jeoneun gaereul joahaeyo). The object particle 를 follows 개, and 좋아해요 is the polite form of 좋아하다, "to like".
Related Words and Next Steps
- See more animals vocabulary.
- Find more single words like dog in the Korean words A to Z index.
- Review dog (개) with the vocabulary flashcard decks.