My favorite Korean words/phrases

Lately I've been studying vocabulary and I've come across a lot of interesting expressions. I came across most of these words in vocab lists, not in actual use, so I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are old-fashioned or rare. But I like all of them either because of the meaning or just because of the way they sound. In some cases, I'm intrigued that the language has a word for certain specific concepts.

콧노래 - humming (literally means nose song)
거짓말 투성이 - full of lies
문틈 - the crack in a door
탈피하다 - break from convention
칠전팔기 - perseverance, never giving up (literally means upset 7 times, rise 8 times)
겉멋 - superficiality, vanity
사람멀미 - fear of crowds
뜻밖 - unexpected, by surprise
동문서답 - a response that comes out of nowhere
오리무중 - completely in the dark (literally it means you are 5 ri in and surrounded by fog)
막상막하 - to be neck-in-neck (literally means neither high nor low)
탈색 - discolored, faded
내색하다 - when your face gives away what you are really thinking (literally it means inner colors)
헛걸음 - a false step, wasted effort
손버릇 - a habitual action of the hands
물벼락 - suddenly pouring water on a person (literally means water thunder)
여태껏 - up until this very moment
팔짱끼다 - folding your arms over your chest
풋사랑 - puppy love (literally means unripe love)
비몽사몽 - neither asleep nor awake, lucid dreaming (literally means not asleep but feels like sleep)
먹자판 - an orgy of feasting (literally means "a let's eat scenario")

~것만은 아니다

...isn't just ... / ... isn't all ... / ... isn't necessarily ...
~것만은 아니다


상판과 백 패널 없이 투명한 막 안에 노트북의 정보들과 영상이 표시되는 형태입니다.
하지만 투명 AMOLED 노트북, 마냥 반가운 것만은 아니군요.
...But it seems the see-through AMOLED notebook isn't always a good thing.

곰팡이, 알고보면 더럽고 해로운 것만은 아니네요!
When you see mold, it's not entirely a dirty and harmful thing.

시험 없는 세상도 행복한 것만은 아니더라.
A world without tests wouldn't necessarily be a happy one.

그런것만은 아니란다
It's more than just that.

기분 나빠도 웃고 있어야 하는것만은 아니잖아
When you feel bad, just laughing isn't gonna make everything better.

수입이 나쁜 것만은 아니군요
Class isn't all bad.

손님을 위해 물어보는 것만은 아니겠지요
It should be more than just asking questions for the guests.

이직이란게 쉬운것만은 아니군요!?
This changing jobs thing isn't as easy as I thought...

Casker - 나의 하루 나의 밤 (my day, my night)

Casker - 나의 하루 나의 밤 (my day, my night)




여섯시 오십분의 서울 하늘, 조금씩 밝아져 가는 가로등,
조금씩 흘려지는 시간, 나도 모르게 조금 쓸쓸해져...
The Seoul sky at 6:50, little by little the street lights will come on,
Little by little the time passes, I try not to but I get a little sad.

여덟시 오십분의 지하철엔 무표정한 사람들이 떠다니고,
집으로 돌아오는 걸음, 나도 모르게 조금 외로워져...
On the subway at 8:50, all the expressionless people drifting around,
Another step back home, I try not to but I get a little lonely.

익숙한 듯 낯설게 느껴져, 우리 기억이 고여있는 이 길...
네가 있다면, 네가 곁에 있다면...
I've gotten used to feeling unfamiliar, this road where puddles of our memories gather.
If only you were here, if you were at my side...


조심스럽게 마음으로 외치는 말, 나에게로 와...
I don't know if I should even say this, but I'm shouting it: come to me.
기다리는 나에게로 와, 소리 없이 오는 저 파도처럼...
Come to me, like that quiet wave comes. I'm waiting.
홀로 걸어 온 막막한 이 길을 건너, 나에게로 와...
Come to me, walk across that lonely road by yourself.
기다리는 나에게로 와, 손을 내밀어 줄래...
Come to me, I'm waiting. Won't you give me your hand?

열 한시 오십분의 서울 하늘, 별 하나 없는 서늘한 어두움...
또 혼자 웅크린 작은 방, 나도 모르게 조금 무서워져...
The Seoul sky at 11:50, not a single star in that cold darkness.
In that tiny little room again, alone, I try not to but I get a little scared.

나비처럼 방 안을 떠도는 그리움과 내 가난한 마음...
네가 있다면, 네가 곁에 있다면...
Like a butterfly would behave in that room, roaming around longingly, and my needy heart...
If you were here, if you were by my side.

조심스럽게 마음으로 외치는 말, 나에게로 와...
I don't know if I should even say this, but I'm shouting it: come to me.
기다리는 나에게로 와, 소리 없이 오는 저 파도처럼...
Come to me, like that quiet wave comes. I'm waiting.
홀로 걸어 온 막막한 이 길을 건너, 나에게로 와...
Come to me, walk across that lonely road by yourself.
기다리는 나에게로 와, 손을 내밀어 줄래...
Come to me, I'm waiting. Won't you give me your hand?

눈 감았지만, 나는 너를 보고 있어..
I closed my eyes, but then I saw you.
침묵했지만, 네게 말을 걸고 있었어..
I got completely quiet, but then I started talking to you.
알아주길 바란 건 아니지만...
I couldn't even ask you to understand, but...

홀로 걸어 온 막막한 이 길을 건너, 나에게로 와...
Come to me, walk across that lonely road by yourself.
기다리는 나에게로 와, 손을 내밀어 줄래...
Come to me, I'm waiting. Won't you give me your hand?



new vocabulary:

막막하다 - lonely
쓸쓸하다 - lonely, dreary
가로등 - street lights
떠다니다 - float, drift about
떠돌다 - roam, wander
가난(하다) - poverty, neediness
서늘하다 - cool
고이다 / 고여있다 - well up, form a puddle, stagnate
낯설다 - to be unfamiliar (like 낯선 사람)
웅크리다 - crouch down, huddle
침묵 - silence

Casker - 물고기

The band's name is Casker, the song's name is 물고기.

Casker has me loving music again. This song is actually really depressing. But I love the sounds in this song and the man's voice goes with it really well.

Can anybody tell me what 괜시리 means in the first verse? I couldn't find it in a dictionary.



외로워질때 누군가 생각이 날때
언제든 전화 해줘요
When you get lonely, when you're thinking of somebody, call me anytime.
이유도 없이 괜시리 눈물이 날때
언제든 날 불러줘요
When you cry for no reason, call for me anytime.

내 마음은 내 눈은 늘 그대 향해 열려 있어요
My heart, my eyes are always open and turned toward you.
원하지 않아도 어쩔수 없네요
Even if you don't want it, I can't help it.
장난이라도 좋으니 내게 연락 해줘요
Call me, even if you're just playing with me.

이렇게 말한적이 없어요
이런마음 가진적이 없어요
I've never spoken like this before, I've never felt like this before.
자존심 상하는 일인건 알지만
난 그대가 필요해요
It hurts my pride to say it but I need you.

이렇게 까지 말하는 내가
이렇게 까지 필요 없나요
(I can't think of a natural way to translate this...)
I've already said this much... Is this not what you need?
차갑게 식은 그대란건 알지만
난 그대가 필요해요
I know you're so cold, but I need you.

깊게 숨겨둔 당신의 비밀얘기도
내게는 말해 주세요
Tell me your secrets that you've hidden down deep.

얼마나 더 많은
시간을 기다려야 하나요
How much longer do I have to wait?
조금씩 지쳐도 어쩔수 없네요
Even though this goes on and on, more and more, there's nothing I can do.
농담이라도 좋으니 내게 말걸어줘요
Strike up a conversation with me, even if you're just teasing me.

이렇게 말한적이 없어요
이런맘 가진적이 없어요
I've never spoken like this before, I've never felt like this before.
자존심 상하는 일인건 알지만
난 그대가 필요해요
It hurts my pride to say it but I need you.

이렇게 까지 말하는 내가 (이렇게 까지 말하는 내가)
이렇게 까지 필요 없나요 (이렇게 까지 필요 없나요)
I've already said this much... Is this not what you need?
차갑게 식은 그대란건 알지만
난 그대가 필요해요
I know you're so cold, but I need you.

알아요 이런말 하는 내게
그대를 원할자격은 없죠
I know. I don't even deserve to want you, the way I'm talking...
그대 옆에서 웃고 있는 사람이
난 너무나 부럽네요
I'm so jealous of the person at your side laughing.

이렇게 까지 말하는 내가 (이렇게 까지 말하는 내가)
이렇게 까지 필요 없나요 (이렇게 까지 필요 없나요)
I've already said this much... Is this not what you need?
차갑게 식은 그대란건 알지만
난 그대가 필요해요 필요해요
I know you're so cold, but I need you.



New vocabulary:
향하다 - to be turned toward, to face
비밀 얘기하다 - to share secrets
말 걸다 - initiate/strike up a conversation
식다 - to cool
~~할 자격이 있다/없다 - to deserve something, to have the right to do something
자존심이 상하다 - to hurt one's pride

Casker - Polyester Heart

The band's name is Casker, and the song's name is Polyester Heart.

I can't get enough of this song. I'm not too sure I understand the song though, especially the phrase "나를 아이처럼 아껴준건가요." Any help?

Casker - Polyester Heart

눈이 마주칠때마다
Every time our eyes would meet,
비록 아주 짧은 순간이지만
even though it would only last a moment,
예감했던 많은 일은
그저 착각만은 아니라는걸
it always foreshadowed that this was more than an illusion.

내게 했던 많은 말들은
All the things you said to me
모두 정말 날 위한 것들인가요
Were they all really for me?
오직 나를 위해 그렇게
많은 위선의 탑을 세운건가요
Are you building this tower of so much hypocrisy just for me?

그랬었나요
Is that how it's always been?

지금 나를 보고 말해요
Now look at me and tell me
진정 이 모든것이 사실인가요
Is this really all true?
당신이 말했던 사랑은
얼음같이 차가운 덫이었나요
The love you talked about, was it all just an ice-cold trap?

그런건가요
Is that how it is?

그래서 그렇게
믿을 수 없는 진실은
다시 너와 나를 병들게 하고
Then that's why these unbelievable truths make us so sick.
그저 그렇게
언젠간 무뎌지는것도 알고 있지만
I know I'm just gonna go numb someday.

내게 했던 많은 말들은
All the things you said to me
모두 정말 날 위한 것들인가요
Were they all really for me?
오직 나를 위해 그렇게
많은 위선의 탑을 세운건가요
Are you building this tower of so much hypocrisy just for me?

그랬었나요
Is that how it's always been?

지금 나를 보고 말해요
Now look at me and tell me
진정 이 모든것이 사실인가요
Is this really all true?
당신이 말했던 사랑은
얼음같이 차가운 덫이었나요
The love you talked about, was it all just an ice-cold trap?

그런건가요
Is that how it is?

그래서 그렇게

내게 환한 미소를 보인건가요
Is that why you're showing me your bright smile?
정말인가요
Really is that it?
그래서 그렇게
나를 아이처럼 아껴준건가요
Is that why you treat me like a child?

그런건가요
Is that the way it is?
단지 그뿐인가요
Is that all there is?



New Vocabulary:

병들다 - get sick
눈이 마주치다 - make eye contact
비록 ~~하지만 - even though
덫 - trap
환하다 - bright
단지 ~~뿐 - only, just
그저 - only, just
위선 - hypocrisy
탑 - tower
세우다 - build
무디다 - to be dull, numb
진정 - really, truly
진실 - truth
~~만은 아니다 - is not the only thing

26 Engrish sentences

Here's a funny post from my facebook.

So as I have been studying Korean, an invaluable tool has been www.naver.com's Translation Tool. I've learned so many words from using that website.

It's so easy to learn new words because they have "example sentences" so you can see real examples where the words are employed.

For example, 소용, 이용 and 사용 all mean "use" and I never understood how to use them. But after reading the example sentences on naver, I could learn which situations to use each verb in, because each sentence is written in Korean and English.

Usually the example sentences are spot on and taken from English-language publications. The problem is, some of these "example sentences" are written by non-native English speakers who may or may not understand the situations in which some of these phrases are used. They end up using all kinds of crazy expressions, many of which I (and probably you) have never heard of before. While it's lucky for me that Korean people have written all the example sentences (it helps me understand the Korean sentences) I feel bad for the Korean students learning and memorizing these sentences to try to understand idioms and figures of speech that are either rare, outdated or just plain meaningless.

So over time I started saving all these horrible examples of English so I could share them with you. They can sound awkward, strange, or just plain crazy.

And for my Korean friends, I'm not making fun of Korean people. I can totally understand why the people at YBM thought these would be helpful, but it's just funny how ridiculous some of these sentences sound to native speakers. Kind of like when foreigners speak Korean and say something like 재미 하자 나는 준비예요. And if you ever use Naver translation, be careful with the YBM 예문.

26. I lost the manual of new radio.

25. The girl peaked and pined after breaking up with her love one.

24. An merchant ship should get a trip for its own good.

23. He loaded the dice in order to win.

22. He would visit me once and away.

21. Will you do them the honor of receiving a prize?

20. He could punish the bad guys from strength.

19. By not worrying out, he actually made the problem worse.

18. Yell at the top of your bent.

17. Stand bolt upright when you talk to me.

16. The herd of wild cattle treaded under foot the man to death.

15. The lovers played night baseball in the room.

14. The issue of SOFA improvement fell between two stools.

13. How about we cry quits now?

12. My mom frets her guts whenever I am out.

11. They put out in a small boat without spare.

10. He feathered his nest in order to buy PSP.

9. Jack and Jill used to find quarrel in a straw.

8. King rose on refuge way under covert to knights.

7. His gesture wasn't necessary and it would have made people doubts of giving umbrage to others.

6. He jerked off his feet and dragged backward.

5. He is so stupid that he is the dog it was that died.

4. The lovers kissed each other within four walls.

3. I thought that I had to be Caucasian to ever see the light of day.

2. She came home to her bosom to punish her son in the morning.

1. I felt like having an intercourse with her.

윤도혀현밴드 - 잊을게

윤도현밴드 - 잊을께



아침에 눈을 떴을때 너를
길을 걷다 멍하니 너를
지금은 내곁에 없는 너를
그리워하네 바보처럼

In the morning when I open my eyes,
Walking down the road, when I stop in a daze,
like an idiot I miss you, who are no longer at my side.

나보다 행복하기를 바래 워
내 생각 하지 않기를 바래
더 좋은 사람 만나길 바래
다시는 내게 올 수 없게

I hope you're happier than I am,
I hope you don't think about me,
I hope you meet someone better than me,
since you can't come back to me again.

안개처럼 사라져간 다시 못 올 그 지난날
함께한 추억 모두 흘려 보낼께

The last day I saw you that disappeared and went away like fog,
and our shared memories, I'll let them all slide away.

널 잊어야 해 힘들어도
널 지워야 해 기억속에서

I'll forget you, even if it's hard.
I'll remove you from my memory.

니가 떠난 후에 난 죽을 것 같이 아파도
두번 다시 울지 않을께

Even though it feels like I'm gonna die ever since you left,
I will never cry again.

잊을께 잊을께
I'll forget, I'll forget.

아직도 휴대폰에 네 이름
지우지도 못하고 있어
전화기 들고 한참을 서서
널 생각하네 바보처럼

I still can't even remove your name from my cell phone.
I pick up the phone and just stand there a while,
thinking of you, like an idiot.

안개처럼 사라져간 다시 못 올 그 지난날
함께한 추억 모두 흘려 보낼께

The last day I saw you that disappeared and went away like fog,
and our shared memories, I'll let them all slide away.

널 잊어야 해 힘들어도
널 지워야 해 기억속에서

I'll forget you, even though it's hard.
I'll remove you from my memory.

니가 떠난 후에 난 죽을 것 같이 아파도
다시는 너를 찾지 않아

Even though it hurts like I'm gonna die ever since you left me,
I won't try to find you again.

아침에 눈을 떴을때 너를
길을 걷다 멍하니 너를
지금은 내곁에 없는 너를
그리워하네 바보처럼

In the morning when I open my eyes,
Walking down the road, when I stop in a daze,
you who are no longer at my side,
like an idiot I miss you.

잊을께 잊을께

I'll forget, I'll forget...

Rollercoaster - Last Scene

Really not sure about this translation, I just heard this song for the first time today.




Rollercoaster - Last Scene

나는 아무 말도 못했다 그 자리에 그냥 서있다
I couldn't say anything. I just stood there.

니가 하는 말이 무슨 뜻인지를 한참 후에서야 알았다
I didn't know what you meant until after some time had passed.

그래 모든 것은 변했다 변하지 않는 건 없었다
It's true, everything's changed. There's nothing that hasn't changed.

내가 있는 곳에 너는 없다는 걸 한참 후에서야 알았다
From where I was standing, it took some time to realize what you'd been missing.

다행히도 시간은 흐르고
Fortunately time goes by,

아무렇지 않게 너의 이름을 말하고
I say your name and it doesn't mean anything to me.

이제는 다 지난 얘기라고 큰 소리로 웃어보기도 하고
Now when they say it's over, even when they laugh loudly,

나 답지도 않은 말을 하고 사람들은 내가 변했다고 해
I can't say anything in response, people say that I've changed.

그래 모든것은 변했다 변하지 않는 건 없었다
It's true, everything changed. There's nothing that hasn't changed.

내가 있는 곳에 너는 없다는 걸 한참 후에서야 알았다
From where I was standing, it took some time to realize what you'd been missing.

다행히도 시간은 흐르고
Fortunately time goes by,

아무렇지 않게 너의 이름을 말하고
I say your name and it doesn't mean anything to me.

이제는 다 지난 얘기라고 큰 소리로 웃어보기도 하고
Now when they say it's over, even when they laugh loudly,

나 답지도 않은 말을 하고 사람들은 내가 변했다고 해
I can't say anything in response, people say that I've changed.

그러다 어떤 날은 화가 나고 큰 소리로 울어 보기도 하고
And so some days I get angry, I even cry loudly,

넌 더 힘들거라 상상해도 아무것도 달라지는 건 없어
Even though I imagine it's harder for you, nothing has changed.

이제는 다 지난 얘기라고 큰 소리로 웃어보기도 하고
Now when they say it's over, even when they laugh loudly,

나 답지도 않은 말을 하고 사람들은 내가 변했다고 해
I can't say anything in response, people say that I've changed.

그러다 어떤 날은 화가 나고 큰 소리로 울어 보기도 하고
And so some days I get angry, I even cry loudly,

넌 더 힘들거라 상상해도 아무것도 달라지는 건 없어
Even though I imagine it's harder for you, nothing has changed.

정인 - 사랑은

Among pop singers in Korea, 정인's voice may be my favorite. She is the female voice in 리쌍.

Actually I'm just seeing these videos for the first time.

This video is an MTV-style unplugged version:



Here's a live reggae version:



Here's the original:



If I understand it correctly, saying "사랑은" instead of "사랑이" this way kind of treats 사랑 as though it were a person. I hope you enjoy this woman's voice and song as much as I do.

잊어야죠
이제는 보내야죠
놔야겠죠 잡고있던 인연도
남겨진 슬픈 추억은
내 마음속에 흔적으로 남길게요

I need to forget,
Now I need to let go.
I need to cut this tie that I've been holding onto.
The sad memories that remain
will leave their mark in my heart.

알았었죠
우리의 마지막을
예감했지만 멈출수가 없어
불안한 우리 사랑 난 밀어붙인거죠
그렇지만 괜찮아요 나 지금도 후횐없어요

I saw it coming.
I felt the end was near for us,
but I couldn't stop.
I pushed our unstable love to its limits,
but it's okay. I still don't regret it.

나에겐 사랑은 상처만을 남겼지만
사랑은 웃는법 또한 알게했고
사랑은 살아갈 이유를 주었다가
사랑은 절망이 뭔지도 알게했죠
사랑은 그렇게 왔다 간 거죠
내 마음속에서 LOVE IS

All love gave me was a scar,
but love showed me how to laugh again,
and love gave me the reason to keep going,
then love showed me what despair really is.
Love is something that comes and goes like that.
Love is in my heart.

또 오겠지요 나에게 다른사랑이
그땐 지금처럼 힘들진않겠죠
이미 사랑이 어떤건지 나에게
알려주고 갔으니 난 반은 지금보다 쉽겠죠

Another love will come to me again,
and when it does it will be a little easier.
You already showed me what love is and went away,
so doing my half will be easier than it is now.

사랑은 상처만을 남겼지만
사랑은 웃는법 또한 알게했고
사랑은 살아갈 이유를 주었다가
사랑은 절망 또한 알게했죠
사랑은 내게 알려주었죠
이 모든 것들을

All love gave me was a scar,
but love showed me how to laugh again,
and love gave me the reason to keep going,
then love showed me again what despair is.
Love let me know
All these things.

내게 사랑은 함께라는걸 보여주고
이별후 외로움 또한 남겨줬고
사랑은 다가서는 법을 알려주고
이별후 멀어지는법도 알게했죠
사랑은 내게 알려주었죠
이 모든 것들을 love is

Love showed me what it is to share,
and when it was over, left me with loneliness.
Love showed me how to stand close to someone,
and when it was over, showed me how to drift apart.
Love showed me
Love is all of these things.

임정희 - 하늘아 바람아

임정희 - 하늘아 바람아

A friend of mine sent me a link to an 임정히 가요 the other day, and I really didn't enjoy it. But I liked her voice, so I searched youtube for other songs of hers. I found this one, which really made an impression on me. And the lyrics are pretty easy to understand... here's my attempt at a translation.



바람아 조금 더 너를 불어줘
하늘아 밤 새워 비를 내려줘
Wind, please blow a little stronger.
Sky, please bring down some rain tonight.

그대가 날 두고 가는 나쁜 그대가
멀리 갈 수 없게 앞을 볼 수 없게 뒤돌아 오게
You... You, the bad guy who left me
Won't be able to go far, won't be able to see right in front of you,
Will end up turning around and coming back...

사랑이 나를 떠나면 우리가 끝이 난다면
나는 한시도 숨을 쉴 수도 없는 걸 알잖아
If this love leaves me, if we are finished,
I know I won't be able to exhale for even a moment.

까맣게 타는 가슴이 하얗게 나는 눈물이
그대를 잡지 못 하니까
하늘아 바람아 그대를 막아줄래
My heart burned black, My tears flowing white,
all because I couldn't hold onto you.
Sky, wind, stop him please...

두 눈아 절대로 감으면 안돼
구름아 달빛도 가리면 안돼
My two eyes, you may never close again.
Clouds, you mustn't hide the moonlight.

한 순간 내 사랑이던 그대 모습을
기억 할 수 있게 담아 둘 수 있게 잊지 못 하게
The way you used to be, when we were in love, in an instant
It (closing my eyes, etc.) makes me remember it (the way you were), makes me cherish it, I can't forget it...

사랑이 나를 떠나면 우리가 끝이 난다면
나는 한시도 숨을 쉴 수도 없는 걸 알잖아
If this love leaves me, if we are finished,
I know I won't be able to exhale for even a moment.

까맣게 타는 가슴이 하얗게 나는 눈물이
그대를 잡지 못 하니까
하늘아 바람아 그대를 막아줄래
My heart burned black, My tears flowing white,
all because I couldn't hold onto you.
Sky, wind, stop him please...

왜 우리가 헤어지는지
왜 내가 미운지 가르쳐 주세요
Please tell me why we broke up,
how you could hate me.

이유도 모른채로 그댈 보내면 나는
영원히 덩그러니 기다릴 테니까
Because if I let you go and never know the reason,
I'll be all alone forever and keep waiting for you.

그대를 위해서라면 내 곁에 있어준다면
어려운 일도 버겨운 것도 다 할 수 있지만
For your own sake, if you come back to me,
I can do anything for you, even the hard and challenging things, but

그대가 바란 이별은 나 정말 그것 만큼은
해 줄 수 없는 나이니까
As much as you want to bring this to an end,
I just can't let you go.

이별은 제발 시키지 말아줘요
떠나지 마요 뭐든지 할테니까
So please please don't bring this to an end.
Whatever you do, don't leave.

그만큼 - so, that much, as, just as, that's how

Okay I'm not really sure about how to use this grammar, so if you can offer some corrections I'd appreciate it.

이런 문법을 어떻게 쓰는지 몰라서 틀린 것을 고치실 수 있으면 좋겠습니다.

He was angry, and I was just as angry.
그는 화나고 나는 그만큼 화가 났다.

She sings well, but I sing just as well.
그는 노래 잘 부른데 나도 그만큼 노래를 부를 수 있습니다.

He broke the door, he's that crazy.
문을 깨뜨렸다, 그만큼 미쳤다.

As soon as I saw it, I screamed! That's how happy it made me.
나는 그걸 보자 소리 쳤다. 나를 그만큼 행복하게 했다.

I got food poisoning. That's how bad your cake was.
나는 식중독을 이르켜 너의 케이크는 그만큼 싫다.