Key Facts
- Korean: 강아지, Revised Romanization gangaji
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: native Korean
- Register: neutral and affectionate
- Senses: puppy; pet dog
Puppy in Korean: What Does 강아지 Mean?
강아지 has two senses: a puppy, and a small pet dog regardless of age. Context shows which one is meant.
How Do You Pronounce 강아지?
강아지 is [gang-a-ji]. The ng at the end of 강 is followed directly by the vowel 아, with no hard break.
Example Sentences with 강아지
강아지가 귀여워요.
Gangajiga gwiyeowoyo.
The puppy is cute.
귀여워요 means "is cute".
저는 강아지를 키워요.
Jeoneun gangajireul kiwoyo.
I have a puppy.
키워요 means "keep" or "raise"; this is how Koreans say they own a pet.
강아지랑 산책해요.
Gangajirang sanchaekaeyo.
I take a walk with my dog.
랑 means "with", and 산책해요 means "take a walk".
Phrases with 강아지
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 강아지를 키우다 | to keep a puppy |
| 강아지 산책 | dog walk |
| 애완견 | pet dog |
| 아기 강아지 | baby puppy |
애완견 is the more formal word for a pet dog, seen in shop names and on signs.
A Common Mistake with 강아지
- Wrong: assuming 강아지 can only mean a baby dog.
- Correct: 강아지 also means a small pet dog of any age.
If a Korean friend says 저는 강아지를 키워요, the dog may well be an adult.
강아지 Compared with 개 and 고양이
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 강아지 | puppy | Young or small pet dog |
| 개 | dog | General word, adults included |
| 고양이 | cat | The other common pet |
In the Park: Meeting Someone’s Dog
A passerby talks to a dog owner during a walk. The owner gives the dog’s age, making it clear that 강아지 can be affectionate rather than a strict age label.
Passerby
강아지가 정말 귀여워요.
Gangajiga jeongmal gwiyeowoyo.
Your dog is really cute.
Owner
감사합니다. 다섯 살이에요.
Gamsahamnida. Daseot sarieyo.
Thank you. The dog is five years old.
Passerby
만져도 돼요?
Manjyeodo dwaeyo?
May I pet the dog?
Owner
네, 괜찮아요.
Ne, gwaenchanayo.
Yes, that is fine.
The passerby does not need to say “your” because the owner and dog are together. 다섯 살 gives an age; it does not contradict the word 강아지. 만져도 돼요 asks permission to touch or pet the animal. The dog stays the understood subject or object throughout the exchange.
Which Expressions Will Pet Owners Use?
우리 강아지 literally means “our puppy”, but a person living alone can use it for their own dog. 우리 often expresses closeness or belonging in Korean. The phrase does not establish that several people share ownership, and the animal may be fully grown.
강아지를 키우다 describes raising or keeping a dog over time. 강아지를 돌보다 means to look after one. These differ when you help a friend for a weekend: caring for their dog does not mean that you keep a dog yourself. 키우다 describes the continuing relationship; 돌보다 focuses on care.
강아지 사료 means dog food, with 강아지 identifying who the food is for. 강아지 간식 means dog treats. Here 강아지 does not guarantee a product is formulated for puppies. Read the age information on the package when the distinction matters; the affectionate everyday label is broader than a feeding category.
강아지 산책 is a compact noun phrase used in pet care discussions and schedules. In a sentence, 강아지랑 산책해요 presents the outing as taking a walk with the dog. The 랑 ending after 강아지 is conversational and means “with”. It does not attach to the verb.
Where Will You See Different Words for a Pet Dog?
강아지 is natural in friendly conversation, pet photos and comments about a cute animal. 반려견 means “companion dog” and appears in pet care information and notices. The 견 part means dog; 반려동물 is broader and includes companion animals other than dogs.
On a sign, 반려견 동반 가능 means dogs may accompany their owners. 반려동물 출입 금지 means pets are not allowed to enter. These phrases concern access to a place, rather than the animal's age. Recognizing 반려견 and 반려동물 helps when a notice does not use 강아지.
귀여워요, “is cute”, is a natural compliment about a dog. It does not itself ask permission to approach or touch one. In the dialogue, the passerby follows the compliment with a separate permission question, so the owner can answer before any contact.
More Words for a Walk with a Dog
| Korean | Meaning | When it helps |
|---|---|---|
| 목줄 | leash | Name what attaches to the dog's collar or harness. |
| 사료 | animal feed; pet food | Talk about the dog's regular food. |
| 간식 | snack; treat | Distinguish a treat from the main food. |
| 마리 | animal counter | Count dogs, as in 강아지 두 마리, “two dogs”. |
The animal vocabulary lesson teaches the wider set. 마리 counts animals, while 살 states age: 두 마리 means two animals, and 두 살 means two years old. These short expressions answer very different questions about the same dog.
Quick Self-Test
- Can a five-year-old pet be called 강아지 in conversation?
- Does 우리 강아지 prove that several people own the dog?
- Which counts dogs: 마리 or 살?
Show answers
- Yes. 강아지 is also an affectionate word for a pet dog.
- No. 우리 can express closeness or belonging.
- 마리 counts animals; 살 states age in years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Say Puppy in Korean?
Say 강아지 (gangaji). It means a puppy, and in everyday speech it also means a small pet dog of any age. To stress that a dog is very young, Koreans sometimes say 아기 강아지, "baby puppy". The word sounds warm and affectionate.
Can 강아지 Mean an Adult Dog?
Yes, in everyday speech. Many Koreans call their pet dog 강아지 even when it is fully grown, especially small breeds kept indoors. In more neutral or factual contexts, such as news or veterinary language, the general word 개 or the Sino-Korean 애완견 is more common.
What Is the Difference between 강아지 and 개?
개 is the general, neutral word for a dog, including large and working dogs. 강아지 is a puppy, or an affectionate word for a pet dog. Talking about your own small pet, 강아지 sounds natural; describing a guard dog, 개 fits better.
How Do You Say "Walk the Dog" in Korean?
Use 산책, a walk. 강아지랑 산책해요 means "I take a walk with my dog", and 강아지 산책 is the noun phrase for a dog walk. Korean frames it as walking together with the dog rather than walking the dog.
Related Words and Next Steps
- See more animals vocabulary.
- Find more single words like puppy in the Korean words A to Z index.
- Another small pet: rabbit.