Dictionary — Entry No. 0697
고기
gogi · noun
고기
gogi
[GOH-gee]
nounbeginner
Meaning
고기 means ‘meat’ in Korean and is most strongly associated with Korean BBQ (고기구이) — the communal experience of grilling meat at the table. In casual speech, 고기 often implies pork or beef specifically, and saying 고기 먹자 (let’s eat meat) is essentially an invitation to Korean BBQ.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Korean BBQ culture is inseparable from K-Pop idol life — groups regularly celebrate comebacks and awards with 삼겹살 (grilled pork belly) outings. Stray Kids members have repeatedly cited 삼겹살 as their favorite food in interviews and fan content. In ‘Itaewon Class’ (이태원 클라쓰), 고기 BBQ scenes mark moments of hard-won success and celebration, making meat a symbol of resilience throughout the drama.
Example Sentences
고기 구워 먹을래?
Gogi guwo meogeullae?
Want to grill and eat meat? (the quintessential Korean BBQ invitation — implies a whole social outing, not just a quick meal)
삼겹살이 제일 좋아하는 고기예요.
Samgyeopsari jeil joahaneun gogiyeyo.
Samgyeopsal is my favorite meat. (삼겹살, grilled pork belly, is Korea’s most beloved BBQ cut)
오늘 고기 먹는 날!
Oneul gogi meongneun nal!
Today is meat day! (a celebratory phrase Koreans say when treating themselves or others to a BBQ outing)
⚠️ Don’t use gogi when…
In casual conversation, 고기 without qualification often implies 돼지고기 (pork) rather than beef — especially in a BBQ context. Don’t automatically assume 고기 means beef. Also, 고깃집 (meat restaurant) specifically means a Korean BBQ restaurant; using it to mean any place that serves meat will confuse Koreans.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Itaewon Class (이태원 클라쓰) — Korean BBQ 고기 scenes throughout the drama mark milestones of celebration and defiance, with the protagonist’s food business embodying Korean culinary pride.
- K-Pop: Stray Kids — God’s Menu
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.