- Who farted in Korean is 누가 방구 꼇어? (nuga bang-gu kkeosseo?) in casual speech.
- 방구 (bang-gu) is the everyday Korean word for a fart, used by all ages.
- Politeness matters: switch to 꼈어요? or 꼈습니까? depending on who you are with.
- Reaction phrases like 냄새 나! ("it smells!") are more common than direct accusations.
- Video example: the Teacher's Pet sketch demonstrates the phrase in a Korean classroom setting.
Who Farted in Korean: The Core Phrase
If you have ever been in a Korean classroom, office, or subway car when an unmistakable smell appears, you have probably wanted to ask the question "who farted in Korean" — that is, how to ask it in Korean. The standard casual phrase is 누가 방구 꼇어? (nuga bang-gu kkeosseo?), which literally translates to "who farted?" and works among close friends, siblings, or classmates.
The phrase breaks down into two parts. 누가 (nuga) means "who," and 방구 꼇어 (bang-gu kkeosseo) means "farted." The verb 뀌다 (kkwida) is the dictionary form of "to fart," and 꼇어 is its casual past tense. In practice, most Koreans soften or joke about the situation rather than interrogating everyone in the room.
Video Highlights:
- The sketch "Teacher's Pet: Who Farted in Korea? (누가 방구 꼇어?)" uses the phrase as its central gag.
- Characters go back and forth asking "so was it you" and "I don't know," a realistic depiction of the blame game.
- The accused party ends up "down for the count," showing how the question escalates comedically.
Break it into four beats: nu-ga bang-gu kkeo-sseo? Keep the intonation rising at the end, since it is a question. The double consonant ㄲ in 꼇어 sounds like a tense, clipped "kk."
Politeness Levels: Casual, Polite, and Formal
Korean verbs change their endings based on who you are speaking to, and a fart-related question is no exception. Using the wrong politeness level can turn a funny moment into an awkward one, especially in front of teachers, elders, or strangers.
| Form | Korean | Romanization | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual | 누가 방구 꼈어? | nuga bang-gu kkeosseo? | Friends, siblings, classmates |
| Polite | 누가 방구 꼈어요? | nuga bang-gu kkeosseoyo? | Acquaintances, coworkers, strangers |
| Formal | 방구를 뀌셨습니까? | bang-gu-reul kkwi-yeosseumnikka? | Rare, exaggerated, comedic effect |
| Softened | 여기서 방구 했어요? | yeogiseo bang-gu haesseoyo? | Gentle, non-accusatory questioning |
Casual (반말)
- 누가 방구 꼈어?
- Use with close friends only
- Most common in the meme and sketch context
Polite (존댓말)
- 누가 방구 꼈어요?
- Safe default with strangers or coworkers
- Adds the 여요 ending for courtesy
Deflection
- 아이 냄새! ("ugh, a smell!")
- Avoids accusing anyone directly
- The most socially smooth option
Directly asking "who farted" at work, in class, or with elders can come across as rude. Koreans more often announce the smell (냄새 나, "it smells") and let everyone silently draw their own conclusions.
Related Vocabulary and Expressions
The fart lexicon in Korean is small but lively. Beyond the headline phrase, these words appear constantly in comedy sketches, children's talk, and everyday banter.
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 방구 | bang-gu | Fart | Standard, all-purpose word |
| 방귀 | bang-gwi | Fart (formal) | Used in writing, medical contexts |
| 뀌다 | kkwida | To fart (verb) | Dictionary form |
| 뀌다 vs 트림 | kkwida vs teurim | Fart vs burp | Do not confuse them |
| 냄새 나 | naemsae na | It smells | Classic reaction phrase |
| 방구 마려워 | bang-gu maryeowo | I need to fart | Casual, usually kids |
| Expression | English Equivalent | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| 누가 방구 꼈어? | Who farted? | Playful, accusatory |
| 나 아니야! | It wasn't me! | Defensive, comic |
| 뒤지게 냄새 나네 | That reeks | Rough, humorous |
| 조용히 하고 나가서 해 | Go outside to do it | Mild scolding |
방구 (bang-gu) dominates speech, while 방귀 (bang-gwi) shows up in news articles or formal writing. If a Korean friend says 방귀를 뀌다, it sounds slightly bookish in casual conversation.
Step-by-Step: Handling the Moment Naturally
Detect and Confirm
When a smell appears, most people first say 어? 냄새... ("huh? a smell...") while glancing around. This announces awareness without pointing fingers.
Ask the Question (Optional)
If you are with close friends, deploy 누가 방구 꼈어? with a rising tone and a grin. Among mixed company, soften it to 누가 방구 꼈어요? or skip it entirely.
Expect the Denials
The standard responses are 나 아니야 ("not me") and 몰라 ("I don't know"), as dramatized in the Teacher's Pet sketch where everyone dodges blame.
Defuse With Humor
A joke like 범인은 바로 너! ("the culprit is you!") or exaggerated fanning keeps things light. Laughter is the universal exit ramp.
Move On
Wave a hand toward a window, say 환기 좀 하자 ("let's air it out"), and change the subject. Lingering investigations rarely end well.
In Korean comedy — from classroom sketches to variety shows — the "who farted" blame game is a recurring gag precisely because the social awkwardness is universal. Mastering a light touch matters more than perfect grammar.
Practice Checklist and FAQ Preview
Learning Milestones:
- Say 누가 방구 꼇어? with correct rising intonation
- Convert the phrase into the polite 꼈어요? form
- Memorize three reaction phrases (나 아니야, 냄새 나, 몰라)
- Distinguish 방구 from 방귀 in speech and writing
- Watch the Teacher's Pet sketch and catch every use of the phrase
Shadow the sketch line by line: pause after each "so was it you" exchange and repeat aloud. Comedy dialogue is excellent pronunciation drill material because the emotions push natural intonation.
FAQ
Q: What is the exact translation of 'who farted' in Korean?
The casual translation is 누가 방구 꼇어? (nuga bang-gu kkeosseo?). 누가 means 'who,' 방구 means 'fart,' and 꼇어 is the past tense of the verb 'to fart.' Add 요 for the polite form: 누가 방구 꼈어요?
Q: Is it rude to ask 'who farted' in Korean?
Among close friends it is usually taken as playful teasing, as shown in the Teacher's Pet sketch. With strangers, elders, or in professional settings, it is generally considered impolite — Koreans more commonly just say 냄새 나 ('it smells') without naming the act.
Q: What is the difference between 방구 and 방귀?
Both mean 'fart.' 방구 (bang-gu) is the everyday spoken form used in conversation and comedy, while 방귀 (bang-gwi) is the more formal term found in writing and medical contexts.
Q: How do I deny it if someone asks me?
The standard denial is 나 아니야! (na aniya, 'it wasn't me!') in casual speech, or 저 아니에요 (jeo anieyo) in polite speech. The sketch shows this exact back-and-forth denial loop in action.