The Flashcard
The original illustrated card, front and back.
Meaning & context
‘강력추천’이라는 단어의 줄임말로서, 무언가를 강력하게 추천하는 것을 의미한다. 강추는
온라인상 인터넷 채팅에서 종종 사용된다.
Roughly equivalent to the English “it rocks,” This expression is an abbreviation of gangryok chucheon (강력추천), meaning to strongly recommend something, gangchu started online in internet chat rooms by young people, but is now used in everyday conversations. Similar to “It’s the shit!” Antonym: 비추 [bi-chu] not recommended; “it’s shit!”
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 13–13. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
무엇을 볼까...
English
What to See…
뭘 볼까? 니가 골라.
What should we watch? You choose.
어, 올드보이네... 나 아직 못봤는데.
Oh, they have Old Boy… I haven’t seen it yet.
뭐? 아직도 못봤다고? 말도안돼... 꼭봐야지. 강추야 강추.
What? You haven’t seen it yet? You’re kidding… you have to see it. Gangchuya! It rocks!
From the book: notes & culture
Culturally Speaking
The Year of Speaking Plainly
Koreans place a great deal of importance on age in language, dividing people into groups of those older than them (who they must speak to with respectful or formal language ~ jondaetmal (존댓말)) and those younger than or the same age as them (who they may speak to with banmal (반말)). As such, Koreans have a special affection for someone their own age, sharing a common year in school, a common Chinese zodiac sign, ddi (띠), and more.
The Rice of Life
%
Jjang-Heol-Gwang
RAT RATING
Quote of the Day
“대박! 매드맥스은 신이다! 강추”
“Epic! Mad Max is a god! It’s totally rad!” ~ said everybody who ever saw it
Antonym: 비추 [bi-chu] not recommended; “it’s shit!”
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 →