불알친구
[bul-al chin-gu]
childhood friend; bosom buddies; BFF
Meaning & context
이 표현은, 서로 벌거벗은 모습 봐도 어색하지 않았을 정도로 어릴적 부터 친구였던 사이 를 일컫는 표현이다. (나쁜 표현은 아니다.)
Literally “ball friend” or “testicle friend,” bulal chingu merely refers to a friend from early childhood, one that was so young as to have seen the other in the unabashed nudity of infancy. (Not considered vulgar.)
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 125–125. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
잘 달고 다녀?
English
How they hangin’?
우리 공주님이 벌써 이렇게 컸어... 첫번째 데이트도 한다고 하고.
Our little girl is growing up. . . She’s going on her first date.
창현이랑 간다지? 칫. 여름이 불알친구.
And with ChangHyun. Ts. Her bulalchingu.
귀여운 불알 좀 만져보자며 고놈 불렀던게 엊그제 같은데.
I remember when I used to call him over to grab his little balls.
우리 여름이 건들면, 그녀석 불알 콱 터뜨려버리겠어!
And if he touches her, I’ll have his balls in my hand!
From the book: notes & culture
The Straight Scoop
불알 좀 만져보자 [bul-al jeom man-jyeo-bo-ja] grab his little balls. In Korea, parents or grandparents often think it’s cute to see or even handle a young boys balls (in a non-sexual way) until age 4-5. This practice is fading due to enhanced awareness of sexual abuse at least in the major cities.
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