{"id":7193,"date":"2021-09-27T21:48:12","date_gmt":"2021-09-28T02:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/?p=7193"},"modified":"2021-09-27T21:48:12","modified_gmt":"2021-09-28T02:48:12","slug":"korean-colloquial-expressions-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/korean-colloquial-expressions-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Korean Colloquial Expressions (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learning a language is not an easy task, especially if you start later in life. Everything looks completely different and sounds strange. I know your agony in the journey of learning a foreign language because I, myself, have been there. In fact, I am still hanging in there. Mastering a language is hard work that requires patience and passion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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image by libellule789 on Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n

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Unfortunately, the Korean language has a notorious reputation being one of the most difficult languages to learn for English native speakers. As a native Korean, this is a sad statement because many potential language learners simply opt-out of an opportunity to learn Korean without giving it a chance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, I want to introduce you to a fun way to brush up on your Korean. In the beginning, I had spent more time learning colloquial expressions in English. Looking back, I think it was one of the most effective ways I could kindle my passion for learning English. After studying today\u2019s lesson, you might surprise your coworkers with your level-up Korean.<\/span><\/p>\n

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image by PicsbyFran on Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n

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Korean languages have homonyms as many other languages do. For example, <\/span>\ub208 (noon<\/b>: eye, snow) is one of them. Below expressions indicate \ub208 as an eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. \uadf8\ub140\ub294 <\/span>\ub208\uc774 \ub192\ub2e4. (noon-ee-nop-dah<\/b>: She has a high standard.)<\/span><\/p>\n

It is literally translated that eyes are set on a high level. It means that someone has a high standard.<\/span><\/p>\n

->My aunt hasn\u2019t been married yet because \uadf8\ub140\ub294 \ub208\uc774 \ub192\ub2e4.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. \ud55c \ub208 \ud314\ub2e4. (han-noon-pal-dah<\/b>: keep one\u2019s eyes off from something\/get distracted.)<\/span><\/p>\n

It literally says that someone is selling one eye to something\/someone. If you start dating someone, your girlfriend\/boyfriend may kindly(?) remind you not to look at other men\/women.<\/span><\/p>\n

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-> You would break my heart if you \ud55c \ub208 \ud314\ub2e4.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. \uadf8\ub140\ub294 <\/span>\ucf54\uac00 \ub192\ub2e4 (koh-gah-nop-dah<\/b>: She\u2019s too snobby.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It literally says that she has a high nose. When people describe someone as being snobby in English-speaking culture, they often point their nose upwards. In Korean, we also use a raised nose for someone being haughty. You see, even the Korean language, which you might think that it is too foreign, could be similar to your own language.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\ucf67\ub300 (kot-dae: <\/b>a nose bone) could be often replaced. <\/span>\ucf67\ub300\uac00 \ub192\ub2e4. (kot-dae-gah-nop-dah<\/b>: a nose bone is high). <\/span>\ucf67\ub300\uac00 \uc138\ub2e4. (kot-dae-gah-se-dah<\/b>: a nose bone is strong) have similar nuance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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->She won\u2019t even approve of any of this high-end jewelry because \ucf67\ub300\uac00 \ub192\ub2e4.<\/span><\/p>\n

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image by Ihadlock50 on Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n

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4. \uac10\uc774 \uc7a1\ud788\ub2e4 (gahm-ee-jop-hee-dah<\/b>: I got a hunch.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be confused. <\/span>\uac10 (gahm: <\/b>a persimmon, a feeling) is a homonym. The expression indicates \uac10 as a feeling\/a hunch. <\/span>\uc7a1\ub2e4 (jop-dah:<\/b> to grasp)<\/span><\/p>\n

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->When somebody says, <\/span>\uac10 \uc7a1\ub2e4 (gahm-jop-dah<\/b>: I\u2019ve got the picture.) you\u2019ve got the picture!<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. \ub2f9\uadfc\uc774\uc9c0. (dang-geun-ee-ji<\/b>: It is for sure!)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is derived from <\/span>\ub2f9\uc5f0\ud558\ub2e4. (dang-yeon-hah-dah:<\/b> It is for certain.) Believe it or not, \ub2f9\uadfc\uc774\uc9c0 is a catchphrase of a Korean comedian. Naver Dictionary defines \ub2f9\uadfc as a noun that is short for a \ub2f9\uc5f0\ud558\ub2e4. \ub2f9\uadfc is supposed to be used in a casual and witty case. Who knew?<\/span><\/p>\n

-> A: Did you eat breakfast?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B: \ub2f9\uadfc\uc774\uc9c0!<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. \uadf8\ub294 \uc9dc\ub2e4. (sah-ram-ee-jjah-dah<\/b>: he is stingy.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It literally says that a person is salty. In English, the word \u2018salty\u2019 contains negative meanings as well. In Korean, the word can be used as being cheap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-> My boss is \uc9dc\ub2e4.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What did you think about these colloquial expressions? When you know the backstories of them, doesn\u2019t it give you the motivation to study Korean harder? I hope so. I have many more colloquial expressions for you in the next post. Stay tuned!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Learning a language is not an easy task, especially if you start later in life. Everything looks completely different and sounds strange. I know your agony in the journey of learning a foreign language because I, myself, have been there. In fact, I am still hanging in there. Mastering a language is hard work that…<\/p>\n

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