Culture Word Stage 3 · Production
꼰대
kkondae
A condescending, lecturing older person
🗣️ How to say it
kkon-dae — tense kk at the start.
📊 Meaning spectrum
bossy senior →out-of-touch elder →'back in my day' type
💬 When to use it
An older person (or boss) who lectures, forces their way, and expects deference. A pointed, slightly risky word.
그 부장님 완전 꼰대야. 🔊
That manager is such a 'kkondae.'
🧠 Culture note
Captures generational friction in Korea's hierarchy culture. The BBC even adopted 'kkondae.' Use it about someone, not to their face.
✅ Use it / ❌ Don't
✅ Venting about an overbearing boss to friends
❌ Saying it directly to the older person
🎬 Where you've heard it
🎯 Quick quiz
What does 꼰대 mean?