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BADASS KOREAN

Being Bad in Korea · KOREAN SLANG

눈탱이가 밤탱이 되다

noon-taeng-i-ga-bam-taeng-i-dwe-da

a black eye a shiner

What does 눈탱이가 밤탱이 되다 mean?

a black eye a shiner.

From the original card

Literally "your eyeballs have become chestnuts." As chestnuts are dark brown, this phrase means to get a black eye. Koreans like this expression for its rhythm.

From the published Badass Korean archive. Slang depends on the relationship and setting; historical explanations and origin stories have not been newly reviewed. Some cards include profanity, insults, or sexual language.

눈탱이가 밤탱이 되다 — a black eye a shiner; original illustrated Korean slang flashcard
Original illustrated card · View full size ↗