품절(남/녀)
[pum-jeol(nam/yeo)]
(someone) taken; sold out; unavailable
Meaning & context
문자 그대로 품절된 사람을 가리키는 이 표현은 결혼하여 상대가 될 수 없는 (특히 대어라 고 여겨질 만 한) 사람을 의미하게 되었다. 영어의 “off the market” 혹은 “taken”과 비 슷하다.
Literally meaning someone who is “sold-out” or “out of stock.” This expression has come to mean someone (especially someone that would be considered quite a catch) that is married off and otherwise no longer available. Similar to “off the market” or “taken” in English. Also: 반품(남,녀) [ban-pum-(nam/yeo)] back on the market, lit. to return (a product).
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 222–222. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
올드보이 2
English
Old boy 2
세상에. 너 그 소식 들었니?
Oh, my. Did you see the news?
무슨 소식?
What news?
지태가 드디어 결혼했대… 민식의 딸이랑. 역시.
JiTae finally got married… And to MinShik’s daughter no less.
아, 또 다른 품절남. 너무 슬프다.
Oh, another pumjoelnam. So sad.
품절이라고? 농담하지 마!
Pumjeol?! You must be kidding!
매우 큰 손해야. 아까워! 난 그냥 그가 반품남이 되길 바라며 기다려야겠다.
Such a loss. So regrettable! I’ll just have to wait and hope for him to become banpumnam.
너 미쳤구나!
You’re sick!
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