대가리
[dae-ga-ri]
a bully or bruiser; a scrapper; the best brawler
Meaning & context
글자 그대로, 머리를 의미. 머리는 신체의 가장 중요한 부분으로서 대가리는 그룹의 우두 머리를 뜻하게 되었고 특별히 초등학교나 중학교의 짱을 일컫는 말이 되었다. 그러므로, 이 표현은 초등학생 또는 중학생이 주로 사용한다.
Literally “a (big) head.” As a head (used informally) is the most important part of a body, daegari came to describe a captain of a group, but more particularly, the best fighter in a group. This expression is used primarily by elementary or middle school students and may often be used to describe a bully, but could also be simply an accomplished brawler or someone who uses their presence to make others believe them to be.
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 78–78. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
학교원정
English
An Away Match
누가 이 학교 대가리야? 빨리 튀어나와!
Who is the daegari of this school? Get out here!
내가 대가리인데...
I’m a daegari . . .
뭐? 네가? 전혀 강해보이지 않는데. 아무튼 좋다. 한판 붙자! [잠시 후]
What? You? You don’t look so tough. Whatever, OK. Let’s go! [a few minutes later]
임마! 너 싸움 전혀 못하네! 많이 아파?
Hey man! You can’t fight at all! Are you hurt?
엉엉! 왜 때려? 대가리는 내 머리가 크다고 애들이 지어준 별명이란 말이야.
Ung ung! (crying) Why did you hit me? Daegari is my nickname, because I have a huge head.
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