How to Say “Golden Retriever Guy” and “Black Cat Girl” in Korean? 🐶🐈‍⬛

Hello!

English-speaking social media often describes a warm, affectionate man as having “golden retriever energy” and a confident, independent woman as having “black cat energy.”

Korean social media has its own trendy labels for similar personality contrasts: 에겐남 (e-gen-nam) and 테토녀 (te-to-nyeo).

What Do 에겐남 and 테토녀 Mean?

에겐남 combines 에겐, shortened from 에스트로겐 (estrogen), with 남, meaning “man.”

테토녀 combines 테토, shortened from 테스토스테론 (testosterone), with 녀, meaning “woman.”

These words do not describe a person’s real hormone levels or medical condition. They are playful, non-scientific internet slang based on gendered personality stereotypes.

에겐남 usually describes a gentle, emotionally expressive, considerate, or sensitive man. 테토녀 usually describes an assertive, independent, direct, or strong-willed woman.

Here are two common ways to use them.

1. Describing a Gentle, Affectionate Man 🐶

An 에겐남 is often compared loosely to a “golden retriever boyfriend”:

• Korean: 내 남친 완전 에겐남이야.

• Pronunciation: nae nam-chin wan-jeon e-gen-na-mi-ya.

• Meaning: My boyfriend is totally an 에겐남. / My boyfriend has such golden retriever energy.

The subject does not have to be a boyfriend. 에겐남 can describe any man whose personality is seen as gentle, sensitive, or emotionally expressive.

2. Describing a Confident, Independent Woman 🐈‍⬛

A 테토녀 is sometimes compared to a “black cat girlfriend”:

• Korean: 내 여자친구는 완전 테토녀 스타일이야.

• Pronunciation: nae yeo-ja-chin-gu-neun wan-jeon te-to-nyeo seu-ta-i-ri-ya.

• Meaning: My girlfriend is definitely the 테토녀 type. / My girlfriend has strong black cat energy.

Depending on context, 테토녀 may suggest confidence, independence, leadership, directness, or a cool personality.

🎯 Takeaway of the Day

에겐남 (e-gen-nam) — a gentle or emotionally expressive man

테토녀 (te-to-nyeo) — an assertive or strong-willed woman

These labels are very casual and trend-sensitive. They can reinforce gender stereotypes, so use them playfully rather than as serious judgments about someone’s personality.

One expression a day, make it yours.

하루에 한 표현을 내 것으로!