The Flashcard
The original illustrated card, front and back.
Meaning & context
갈구하다는 것은 본래, 무엇인가를 간절히 바라는 것을 의미한다. 하지만 어찌된건지 현재 는 친구들 사이에서, 특정 인물을 심하게 놀리거나 시비거는 행위를 뜻하게 되었다.
Originally meaning a craving, hunger or earnest desire, galguhada (갈구하다), it became a slang expression for mocking someone or poking fun at them. It is most often used among friends to get a reaction from (rise out of) them or even to make them angry.
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 11–11. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
최고의 친구
English
The Best of Friends
너 오늘 머리 꼬라지가 왜그러냐? 완전 2:8 가르마네...
What’s wrong with your hair today? Perfectly parted 2:8.
와~~?
Wha~~?
옷은 또 왜그래? 키 더 작아보여... ㅋㅋ 어제 소개팅한 애한테도 차였다며~ 하하
And what’s with your clothes? You look shorter. . . Kh, Kh. Your blind date must have kicked you to the curb yesterday. Ha, ha.
아~ 그만 좀 괴롭혀. 맨날 갈궈. 나만보면 갈구고 지랄이야 짜증나게.
Ah, quit mocking me. Everyday, galguda. When you see me, galguda. You spaz! You’re so annoying.
From the book: notes & culture
The Straight Scoop
2:8 [ee-dae-pal] 80% over the top, a combover. ㅋㅋ [kh-kh] the sound of sniggering. Blind Date 소개팅 [so-gae-ting] introduction mee-ting. See page 84 and 185.
A bowl of rice
%
Jjang-Heol-Gwang
RAT RATING
2:8 [ee-dae-pal] 80% over the top, a combover.
ㅋㅋ [kh-kh] the sound of sniggering.
Blind Date 소개팅 [so-gae-ting] introduction mee-ting.
Quote of the Day
“나 갈구면 죽어!”
“Mock me, and you’ll pay the price?”
You heard me bitch! Don’t even think about bringing up that 흑역사 you’ve got tucked away for a rainy day!
TAKE THE WHOLE BOOK WITH YOU
As Much as a Rat’s Tail
Illustrated Korean, bilingual conversations, and the stories behind the expressions. Read here, then keep the complete book close.
Find the book Korean for lovers →