How do you pronounce "짱깨"?

Say it "JJAHNG-kkeh" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: tɕ͈aŋ.k͈ɛ.

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Korean · Words You'll Hear But Must Never Say

짱깨

jjanggae

JJAHNG-kkeh · /tɕ͈aŋ.k͈ɛ/

An ethnic slur for Chinese people — also slang for Chinese food, which does not launder it. Never say it.

5/5 Do not deploy

nuclear/taboo — comprehension only, never recommended

Literally

"(ethnic slur for Chinese people; from a Chinese word for 'shopkeeper')"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

We're telling you so you understand it, not so you say it. 짱깨 is the standard Korean slur for Chinese people, and anti-Chinese sentiment in online spaces means you WILL encounter it — in game chat, comment sections, and overheard rants. The trap for learners: it's also used casually to mean Chinese food ("짱깨 시킬까?" — shall we order Chinese?), and locals saying it that way may assure you it's harmless. It is not yours to calibrate. The clean words: 중국인 (Chinese person), 중식 or 중국집 (Chinese food/restaurant). Severity 5, comprehension-only. Do not deploy.

Heard in the wild

[Common in hostile online talk; listed for comprehension only.]

[An ethnic slur — recognize it, never repeat it.]

Where it lands

South Korea; widespread online, a slur throughout

Quick answers

What does "짱깨" mean?: In Korean, "짱깨" means "An ethnic slur for Chinese people — also slang for Chinese food, which does not launder it. Never say it.". Literally it's "(ethnic slur for Chinese people; from a Chinese word for 'shopkeeper')". We're telling you so you understand it, not so you say it. 짱깨 is the standard Korean slur for Chinese people, and anti-Chinese sentiment in online spaces means you WILL encounter it — in game chat, comment sections, and overheard rants. The trap for learners: it's also used casually to mean Chinese food ("짱깨 시킬까?" — shall we order Chinese?), and locals saying it that way may assure you it's harmless. It is not yours to calibrate. The clean words: 중국인 (Chinese person), 중식 or 중국집 (Chinese food/restaurant). Severity 5, comprehension-only. Do not deploy.
Is "짱깨" offensive?: Yes — very. It rates 5/5 on the Punch-o-Meter (Do not deploy). nuclear/taboo — comprehension only, never recommended. Read the usage note before you even think about it.
How do you pronounce "짱깨"?: Say it "JJAHNG-kkeh" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: tɕ͈aŋ.k͈ɛ.

Related in Korean

병신 byeongsin byung-SHEEN Moron / useless idiot — extremely common, and an ableist slur at its root. Never say it. 쪽바리 jjokbari JJOHK-bah-ree An ethnic slur for Japanese people, rooted in colonial-era hatred. Never say it. 니 애미 ni aemi nee EH-mee The Korean 'your mom' — the nuclear escalation of any argument. Never say it. 김치녀 kimchinyeo keem-chee-NYUH A misogynist slur labeling Korean women as gold-diggers. You'll see it online; never use it. 미친 michin mee-CHEEN Crazy — from 'that's insane(ly good)!' to 'you lunatic' to a genuine slur on someone's sanity. 개새끼 gaesaekki geh-SEH-kkee Son of a bitch / bastard — a real insult with no soft reading.

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