땡잡다
[ddaeng-jab-ta]
to grab some luck; catch a lucky break
Meaning & context
간단히, 땡은 행운이나 운수를 의미하고 잡다는 쥐어 가지는 것을 의미하여 운이 좋은 것 을 의미한다. 비슷한 영어표현으로는 ‘hit the jackpot’ 또는 ‘make a killing.’이 있다.
Simply speaking, jabta is to grab and ddaeng is good fortune or a lucky break. Similar expressions in English are to “hit the jackpot” or “make a killing.”
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 99–99. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
좋은소식 까치
English
The Good News Magpie
뭐!! 왜 계속 째려봐?
What?! Why are you just staring at me?
어서 얘기해! 인터넷에서 봤는데, 지저귀는 까치를 보면 좋은 일이 생기고 귀한 손님이 온댔어. 나 땡잡고 싶어.
Start chatting! I read on the Internet that a chatting magpie brings good news and welcome guests. I need to ddaengjabta.
그래서 어쩌라고... 그건 그냥 미신이야.
So. . . that’s just a superstition.
나 나중에 소개팅도 있는데 영계도 만나고 싶어서.
Well, I have a sogaetting later and I need to meet a hot chick.
그놈의 여자타령! 땡잡고 싶으면, 새들을 쫓아다니지 말고 나무가 되어야겠지?
You and your birds! If you want to ddaengjabta, why don’t you stop chasing birds and just be the tree?
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