How to say stubborn old-fashioned authority in Korean
Korean: 꼰대[ kkon-dae ]
Meaning
(꼰대) is slang for a person, often older or in charge, who is very old-fashioned and always wants others to follow their way. People use it when someone acts bossy, says things like "In my day," or does not listen to younger people. It can sound funny in casual talk, but it is still a rude word, so use it carefully.
Example sentences
아빠가 내 말은 안 듣고 자기 말만 해서 꼰대 같아요.
My dad only pushes his own ideas, so he seems like a stubborn old-fashioned authority figure.
친구가 "요즘 애들은 몰라"라고 말해서 좀 꼰대 같았어요.
My friend said, 'Kids these days don't know,' so he sounded a bit old-fashioned and bossy.
버스에서 어떤 아저씨가 젊은 사람들을 계속 혼내서 꼰대 같았어요.
On the bus, an older man kept scolding young people, so he seemed like a stubborn old-fashioned authority figure.
친구가 요즘 애들이 안 들어줄 거 같아 꼰대 같다고 말해.
My friend said my ideas sound old-fashioned and bossy because young people won't listen.
회사에서 부장님이 항상 규칙만 강조해서 꼰대 같아요.
At the company, our deputy manager always emphasizes rules, so he seems like a stubborn old-fashioned authority figure.
