Badass Korean — As Much as a Rat’s Tail

빈대붙다

[bin-dae-but-da]

to be a parasite or freeloader; to mooch; sponge from

The Flashcard

The original illustrated card, front and back.

Being Bad in Korea card back빈대붙다 — to be a parasite or freeloader; to mooch; sponge from

Meaning & context

글자 그대로 빈대가 달라붙는 것. 빈대가 몰래 달라붙어 숙주의 피를 빨아먹는것처럼, 이 표현은 누군가 요금(보통 식사비 또는 유흥비)에 대한 공정한 지불을 하지 않을 때 사용된 다.

Literally “a bedbug clinging.” As a bedbug secretly clings to its host to suck its blood, this refers to someone not contributing a fair share to a fee (for food or entertainment), and to leech or “sponge off” of someone.

From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 129–129. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.

STORY TIME

See it in conversation

Korean

다른 곳에 선행 베풀기

English

Pay it Forward

WonDong

야, 민지가 어떻게 도망쳤지? 또 당했어.

원동

Man, how did she do that? Minji strikes again.

DongWon

돈 안내고 도망칠 작정이었어! 걔는 맨날 빈대붙네.

동원

She managed to get away without paying! She’s always bindaebutda.

WonDong

왜 우리는 항상 빈대붙게 놔두지?

원동

Why do we always let her bindaebutda?

DongWon

그래도 민지는 재밌는 빈대니까.

동원

I guess it’s ‘cause she’s such a fun bedbug.

WonDong

그런 선행을 다른 곳에 좀 베풀면 좋으련만. 민지한테 문자보내자.

원동

I hope she at least pays it forward. Let’s send her a text.

DongWon

“푹 자! 빈대가 물게 냅두지 말고.”

동원

“Sleep tight! Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

As Much as a Rat’s Tail

TAKE THE WHOLE BOOK WITH YOU

As Much as a Rat’s Tail

Illustrated Korean, bilingual conversations, and the stories behind the expressions. Read here, then keep the complete book close.

Find the book Korean for lovers →