If you’re learning Korean and love pet especially dogs, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re living in Korea or just visiting, knowing a few dog-related Korean phrases can make your daily life (and conversations) more fun.
In this post, I’ll break down 7 casual Korean expressions that native speakers actually use when talking about dogs. These are not textbook sentences. They’re what you’d hear in everyday conversation between friends.
All the phrases are in 반말[ban-mal] (informal speech), so they’re perfect for talking to people your age, close friends, or anyone you’re comfortable being casual with.
Doy you have any dogs?
Do you have any dogs?
너 강아지 키워?
[neo-gang-a-ji-ki-wo]
One of the most common questions you might ask when meeting someone new is about their pets. If you’re curious about whether someone owns a dog, you can simply ask, “Do you have any dogs?” This is a casual, friendly way to start a conversation about pets. If they have a dog, it opens the door to asking more questions, like what breed it is or how long they’ve had it. It’s a great icebreaker for dog lovers who want to share stories about their furry friends.
However, if you’re talking to someone who might not have a dog, you can easily replace “dogs[gang-a-ji]” with “cats[go-yang-i]” The question, “Do you have any cats?[neo-go-yang-i-ki-wo]?” works just as well.
What breed is your dog?
What breed is your dog?
무슨 종 키워?
[moo-seun-jong-ki-wo]
After finding out someone has a dog, a natural next question is to ask what kind of dog it is. In Korean, you can casually ask, “무슨 종이야?”, which means “What breed is it?”
This is a very typical follow-up question in any pet-related conversation. It shows you’re interested in their dog, and it can lead to a deeper discussion about personality, size, or even training style. Koreans love talking about their dog’s breed, especially if it’s unique or rare.
You can use this same structure to ask about other animals too.
My dog is a Golden Retriever
My dog is a Golden Retriever.
내 강아지는 골든 리트리버야.
[nae-gang-a-ji-neun- Golden-Retriever-ya]
This is the answer to the question above. Talking about your own dog is always fun, and this phrase is how you introduce your pup’s breed in Korean.
Just so you know, my dog is a Dachshund.🤭
Of course, you can switch out the breed depending on your dog:
– My dog is a poodle.
내 강아지 푸들이야
[nae-gang-a-ji-pu-deu-ri-ya]
– My dog is a Shiba Inu.
내 강아지 시바야
[nae-gang-a-ji-shi-ba-ya]
I am allergic to dog hair
I am allergic to dog hair.
난 강아지털 알러지가 있어.
[nan-gang-a-ji-teol-allergy-ga-i-sseo]
Sometimes, you might have to explain why you don’t have a dog and allergies are one of the most common reasons.
“알러지” is a Koreanized version of “allergy”,it’s Konglish, but very commonly used. We usually drop the ‘r’ sound in the middle. That’s how we pronounce ‘allergy’ in Korea.
This phrase comes in handy if someone invites you to their home and they have pets, or if you’re explaining why you can’t go to a dog café. It’s also a great way to politely excuse yourself from being around pets without sounding rude.
So, I can’t have a dog
So, I can’t have a dog.
그래서 강아지 못 키워.
[geu-rae-seo-gang-a-ji-mot-ki-wo]
This is a perfect follow-up to the allergy phrase. You can also use this phrase if you’re not allergic but live in a no-pets apartment, or your lifestyle is too busy.
Does he(she) bite?
Does he(she) bite?
혹시 물어?
[hok-si-mo-reo]
If you’re around a new dog and you’re unsure how friendly it is, this is the question to ask. You’ll use this phrase at dog parks, in elevators, or when you meet a neighbor’s dog for the first time.
Can I pet her(him)?
Can I pet her(him)?
만져도 돼?
[man-jeo-do-dwae]
When a dog is just too cute to resist, and you want to ask permission before petting, this is the phrase you need. This is a very polite and respectful way to ask, which is important in Korean culture, especially if you don’t know the dog or the owner. Even in a dog café, it’s good manners to ask first.
It shows that you’re thoughtful and respectful, which dog owners really appreciate in any country!
If you want more Korean expressions, check out my previous post : 7 Korean Expressions related to instagram.
