공주병
[gong-ju-byeong]
little princess syndrome; snob; self-entitled bitch
The Flashcard
The original illustrated card, front and back.
Before you use it
This historical card describes a gendered insult.
Meaning & context
공주라는 단어와 병이라는 단어가 결합되어 만들어진 말. 실제로 공주병이라는 병은 존재 하지 않지만, 젊은 여성이 마치 자기 자신이 공주처럼 예쁘다고 착각하는 것을 보고 공주 병에 걸렸다고 한다. 이와 관련있는 영어표현으로는 신데렐라 콤플렉스나 JAP가 있다.
Literally, a combination of princess and disease, gongjubeong describes a woman with the illusion that she is a princess and therefore should be treated like one. Related to the English “Cinderella Complex” or “JAP” (Jewish American Princess), yet these American equivalents also imply aspects of money and privilege that the Korean does not. Also: 보슬아치 [bo-seul-a-chi] a self important bitch.
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 25–25. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
난 너무 예뻐
English
I’m so Pretty
희연아! 이거 오늘 새로 산 옷인데 어때? 나 너무 예뻐진 것 같지 않아?
How do you like my new dress, HeeYeon? Doesn’t it make me look beautiful?
아, 공주병 너무 심하다!
Ah, too much of a gongjubyeong!
“아임 소우 프리티. 오우 소우 프리티.”
“I’m so pretty. Oh so pretty.”
알았어, 너 죽~인다. 죽여. 그냥 죽어라!
OK, you’re to die for… to die for. Then die!
From the book: notes & culture
The Straight Scoop
죽인다 [juk-in-da] to die for. Literally “I will kill you,” this is a commonly used expression meaning wonderful or great, or in this case: hot, and though related to 죽울래 [juk-ul-lae] you wanna die, it does not have the same connotation.
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