고춧가루 뿌리다
[go-chu-ga-ru bbu-ri-da]
to ruin (a situation); to be a party pooper
The Flashcard
The original illustrated card, front and back.
Meaning & context
고춧가루를 뿌리는 것은 무엇인가를 맵게, 입에 맞지 않게 만드는 것을 의미한다. 바꾸어 말하면, 상황을 망치는 것인데, 특별히 누군가가 이성을 만날 때 쓰이는 표현이다. “다 된 밥에 재 뿌리다”와 비슷한 의미로 누군가의 단점에 대해 말하는 것이다.
Literally “to sprinkle red pepper,” gochugaru bburida means to make something too spicy or even unpalatable. In other words, to ruin a situation, especially when trying to meet someone of the opposite sex. Akin to “다 된 밥에 재 뿌리다” (da doen babae jae burinda) – literally, sprinkling ashes on cooked rice, meaning to talk about someone’s bad points (or messing up at the end). Similar English expressions: “throw a wet blanket on something,” “be a killjoy,” or even “to cock-block someone.”
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 22–22. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
여장실
English
The Girls’ Room
나영아, 무슨 일이야? 나랑 소개팅하던 사람 어디 갔어?
SoYoon, what happened? Where did my date go?
오, 너가 화장실 갔을 때 태용이가 지난 주말에 대해 이야기했어.
Oh, when you were in the bathroom, TaeYong talked about last weekend.
뭐?! 여자한테 그 얘기를 했어? 넌 왜 맨날 고춧가루 뿌려.
What?! You told her the story? Why do you always gochugaru bburida.
그냥 완전 재밌자나! – 너가 여장실에 들어가서 완전 처음보는 여자랑 키스하고 껴안고 난리친거. 너 엄청 취했었잖아!
It’s just so funny! – You walking in the girls’ room, makin’ out with a complete stranger. You were so drunk!
From the book: notes & culture
The Straight Scoop
여장실 [yeo-jang-shil] the girl’s (bath)room, short for 여자화장실.
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