나쁜 놈
nappeun nom
The English phrase "bad guy" is translated into Korean as 나쁜 놈 (nappeun nom).
나쁜 놈 is used to refer to a villain or a bad guy.
Meaning: a villain (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 나쁜 (nappeun), meaning "bad" and the noun 놈 (nom), meaning "guy" or "fellow".
Which one should you use?
While 나쁜 놈 is a rough and derogatory way to say "bad guy", the phrase 나쁜 사람 is a more neutral and polite way to say "bad person".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
나쁜 놈 is an informal phrase. Because the term 놈 is a derogatory or highly informal way to refer to a male, the whole phrase is considered quite blunt or rude.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 나쁘다 (to be bad) changes to the attributive form 나쁜 to modify the noun 놈.
How do you pronounce it?
nappeun nom
Did you know?
- The word 놈 first appeared in written records in the mid-15th century in the 석보상절 (Seokbo sangjeol), a Buddhist text.
- In romantic contexts, such as in K-dramas, a character might call their partner a 나쁜 놈 in a playful or teasing way to express affection.
- While 나쁜 놈 is a common translation for 'bad guy', Korean films often use the word 악당 (akdang) to describe a professional antagonist or a movie villain.
Examples in context
- 악마는 나쁜 사람입니다.The devil is a bad guy.
- 악당은 항상 악을 저지르기 위해 계획을 세웁니다.The bad guy always devises plans to commit evil.
- 저 사람은 진짜 나쁜 놈이야.That person is really a bad guy.
- 저 악인은 항상 법을 어겨.That bad guy always breaks the law.
- 그는 정말 나쁜 놈이야.geuneun jeongmal nappeun nomiya.He is a truly bad guy.
- 나쁜 놈은 꼭 잡아야 해.nappeun nomeun kkok jabaya hae.We must catch the bad guy.
- 영화 속 나쁜 놈이 너무 무서워.yeonghwa sok nappeun nomi neomu museowo.The bad guy in the movie is so scary.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are discussing a drama they just watched.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 주인공이 너무 불쌍해요.Hyeonu ssi, juingongi neomu bulssanghaeyo.Hyunwoo, the main character is so pitiful.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요. 그 나쁜 놈 때문에 고생이 많네요.majayo. geu nappeun nom ttaemune gosaeng-i manneyo.You're right. He's suffering a lot because of that bad guy.
- 수빈 Su-bin결국에는 벌을 받았으면 좋겠어요.gyeolgugeneun beoreul badasseumyeon jokgesseoyo.I hope he gets punished in the end.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo분명히 그렇게 될 거예요.bunmyeonghi geureoke doel geoyeyo.I'm sure that will happen.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 놈, CC BY-SA 4.0.
