삽질하다
[sab-jil-ha-da]
to do something pointless; a wasted effort
The Flashcard
The original illustrated card, front and back.
Meaning & context
도랑을 파는 것. 한국에서의 군복무는 필수적이며, 복무기간 중 이유없이 땅을 파야하는 경우가 종종 있다. 이 때문에 무의미한 일을 일컫는 표현이 되었다. 이와 비슷한 영어표현 으로는 “헛다리 짚다”가 있다.
Literally “to dig a ditch.” Korean military service is mandatory, and there is often nothing for the conscripts to do but dig ditches – hence to do useless work. Distantly related to the English expression “shoveling shit,” or even “barking up the wrong tree,” but also related to BS or bullshitting someone.
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 143–143. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
휴가 중 [병식의 폰이 울린다]
English
On Leave [ByungShik’s phone rings]
야, 민희 전화야? 아름이에 대해서 좀 물어봐. 나 좋아한대?
Hey, is that MinHee? Ask her about Arum. Does she like me?
아니. 창현이랑 삽질에 대한 얘기야.
Nope. It’s about ChangHyun and sabjilhada.
우린 휴가 중이잖아. 또 땅 파래? 대장 농땡이 때문에? 그 개새끼가 우리 오래?
But we’re on leave. We have to dig ditches again? Cause of Corporal Nongddaengi? Is that SOB calling us in?
아니, 멍청아. 아름이는 너 안 좋아해. 민희가 너한테 삽질하지 말라고 말해달라는거야. 아름이는 지금 창현이랑 사귀고 있다고.
No, you dope. Arum doesn’t like you, so MinHee told me to tell you not to sabjilhada. Arum’s dating ChangHyun now.
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