Have you ever stumbled upon the Korean terms “에겐남 (Egen-nam)” or “테토녀 (Teto-nyeo)” while browsing social media or blog posts?
At first glance, they might sound like game characters or internet nicknames—but they’re actually popular new slang words in Korea, reflecting modern views on gender expression and personality.
Let’s break them down.
🧔 에겐남 (Egen-nam) = Estrogen + 남자 (man)
The word 에겐남 is a blend of “estrogen” and “namja”, the Korean word for man.
While estrogen is typically referred to as a “female hormone,” it also exists in males in small amounts.
In Korean slang, an “에겐남” refers to:
- A man with a soft and emotional personality
- Someone who communicates with subtlety and care
- A person whose appearance or vibe leans toward a gentle, androgynous aesthetic
👉 Think of a guy who asks, “How are you feeling today?” instead of brushing things off.
👉 Or someone who quietly makes sure you’re okay, without making a big deal of it.
In short, he’s not the macho, tough-guy stereotype—he’s empathetic, calm, and emotionally intelligent.
👩 테토녀 (Teto-nyeo) = Testosterone + 여자 (woman)
테토녀 combines “testosterone” and “yeoja”, which means woman in Korean.
Although testosterone is known as a male hormone, women naturally produce it as well.
A “테토녀” typically describes:
- A woman who is confident and assertive
- Someone with strong leadership and bold energy
- A person who might look cute but talks like a boss
In modern terms: girl crush energy 💥
She might casually say “Let’s go.” in a deadpan tone—but she’s also the one who has your back, handles things, and gets things done.
🔄 What these words are really saying
Why are these words trending in Korea?
Because they reflect a shift in how people see gender.
Instead of boxing men and women into traditional roles, these terms embrace the idea that:
- Men can be gentle, emotionally aware, and nurturing
- Women can be bold, driven, and unafraid to lead
These expressions don’t just describe people—they celebrate complexity, balance, and personality beyond stereotypes.
✍️ A personal note
Back in high school, I was the kind of kid who got a custom class t-shirt with “Estrogen” printed on the back—yep, that was me in an all-boys school 😆
Later in college, I even served a semester on the Women’s Student Council.
And you know what? Those experiences taught me that understanding and respect aren’t about roles or hormones—it’s about being open to people, as they are.
Whether you’re an “Egen-nam” or a “Teto-nyeo”—
It’s not about the label, but about recognizing all the facets that make someone unique.
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