Though we primarily speak to each other in English, Cyndi and I, for example, are prone to use certain Korean terms because it just rolls of the tongue more easily.
Here are some of our favorite Korean words, most of which do not have an exact English counterpart. I should note that our usage of these words may slightly depart from the dictionary definition. That's why I think of them as Konglish.
naesoong (내숭 )
Approx. meaning: To be coy
Example usage:
Salary Man: Sshindi, one shot!
-Cyndi takes a small sip from her soju glass-
Annalog: Cyndi is being so naesoong right now. She drinks a whole bottle of soju for breakfast.
bbijyeo (삐져 )
Approx. meaning: To be ticked off; miffed.
Example usage:
(1)Piggy is bbijyeo because you're sleeping on her pillow.
(2) The ajusshi had to skip sam-cha, before his wife gets bbijyeo.
byeollo (별로 )
Approx. meaning: shoddy; unimpressive; it sucks.
Example usage:
(1)Dang, that restaurant is so byeollo. I can't believe they charge man-won for that abomination they call "steak."
(2)Annalog: Cyndi, what did you think of that guy?
Cyndi: Byeoll0...
daechoong (대충)
Approx. meaning: to do roughly/approximately; half-arsed.
Example usage:
(1)Cyndi: The recipe calls for 50 grams of butter. How much is that?
Annalog: I don't know... Just daechoong it.
(2) I made Cyndi some miyeok-gook for her birthday, but I just made it daechoong. I just used dashida and water.
(Neither Cyndi nor I really use this term, but I like the sound of it.)
jjajoongna! (짜증나!)
Approx. meaning: to be mad irritated.
Example usage:
(1)Blech. That ajusshi... Jinjja jjajoogna.
It's really easy to make fun of the Engrish on Korean t-shirts or stationery, but I'm sure that if native speakers heard our usage of Korean terms, they'd have a laugh as well.
Even though their usage of English may sound hilarious to my ears, Koreans at least have a sense of humor about their Engrish.
See. Check out this pineapple ice bar. It's called the "I'm Pine" bar. It's a Konglish pun! I'm not sure if the makers of this confection were being ironic (especially given their default recitation of "I'm fine. How are you?") , but I like to think so.
The bar has a creamy strawberry exterior and an icy pineapple flavored interior. It's not as tasty as it sounds, but it's only 700won.
2 comments:
Good post.
My favorite Korean word is 분위기. It just captures "mood" or "atmosphere" better than those two words. In fact, I consider "vibe" a better choice.
분위기 can cover the decor and vibe of a club or restaurant. Or it can cover the mood of a group, party, or meeting.
I like the "I'm fine" bar. . . its slogan should be "thank you, and you?"
Don't know how to spell these two, but my favorite Korean words are "Natanhada" -- to suddenly appear (and when you can say it, you can sing it out kind of like am magician doing a reveal) and cho'chogeuro (that way), which are both fun as heck to say.
Elephant nose is also fun to say. 코끼리 코
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