꼰대
kkondae
The English phrase 'boomer' can be translated into Korean as 꼰대 (kkondae).
The term is used to describe someone who is condescending, authoritative or refuses to listen to others due to their seniority or age. It is often used to characterize people who express outdated views or give unwanted advice to younger people.
Which one should you use?
The form 꼰대질 can be used to describe the actual act of behaving like a 'boomer' or being bossy/condescending.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
꼰대 is a slang word and should be used carefully, as it is often used pejoratively to criticize someone's attitude.
How do you pronounce it?
kkondae
Did you know?
- You might encounter the term 젊은 꼰대, which translates to 'young boomer', describing younger people who have already adopted condescending, authoritative habits.
- The term 꼰대 actually originates from a slang term used by students in the 1960s and 70s to refer to strict teachers or older, authoritarian figures.
- There is a popular social trend in Korea of creating 'kkondae tests' online, which use a series of questions to determine if your mindset has become that of a 꼰대.
Examples in context
- 그 상사는 정말 꼰대예요.geu sang-sa-neun jeong-mal kkon-dae-ye-yo.That boss is such a boomer.
- 우리 교수님은 완전 꼰대야.u-ri gyosu-nim-eun wan-jeon kkon-dae-ya.Our professor is a total boomer.
- 꼰대 같은 말은 하지 마세요.kkon-dae gat-eun mal-eun ha-ji ma-se-yo.Don't say things that sound like a boomer.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about their strict manager in the office break room.
- 민준 Min-jun부장님은 정말 꼰대 같아요.bu-jang-nim-eun jeong-mal kkon-dae gat-a-yo.The department manager seems like such a boomer.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요, 매번 잔소리가 심해요.ma-ja-yo, mae-beon jan-so-ri-ga sim-hae-yo.That's true, his nagging is always too much.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨도 그렇게 생각해요?min-ji ssi-do geu-reot-ge saeng-gak-hae-yo?Do you think so too, Minji?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 정말 피곤한 스타일이에요.ne, jeong-mal pi-gon-han seu-ta-il-i-e-yo.Yes, he is a very tiring type of person.
