유치한
yuchihan
The English word "childish" is translated into Korean as 유치한 (yuchihan).
The term is used to describe something that is immature or unbecoming.
Meaning: immature, unbecoming (adj)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction in connotation between different ways to describe a child-like quality. The form 유치한 carries a negative connotation of being immature or silly. In contrast, 어린아이 같은 means "childlike" in a more neutral or positive sense, such as being pure or innocent. Additionally, the phrase 어린애 같은 means "like a child."
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of this adjective is 유치하다. When you want to use it as an adjective to modify a noun, such as in "childish behavior," you use the form 유치한.
How do you pronounce it?
yuchihan
Did you know?
- While 유치한 is generally an insult, romantic partners often use it as an affectionate tease to describe sentimental or 'cutesy' gestures.
- While 유치한 describes immaturity, it also shares its root with the word for 'kindergarten', which is 유치원.
- The word 유치 is a homonym that can refer to a 'placenta' in biological contexts, though it uses a different Chinese character than the one for 'childish'.
Examples in context
- 내가 어렸을 때, 난 내가 죽으면 이 세상도 사라질 줄 알았었어. 이게 무슨 유치한 망상이지 뭐야! 난 단지 세상이 나 없이도 계속 존재할 거라는 사실을 인정할 수 없었을 뿐이었어.When I was a kid, I thought that if I died the world would just disappear. What a childish delusion! I just couldn't accept that the world could continue to exist without me.This sentence shows how to use 유치한 to describe a delusion.Tatoeba #8375072 by Eunhee, translation #510318 by saeb
- 그의 태도는 항상 어린애 같은 것 같아요.His attitude always seems childish.
- 그는 그녀와 사소한 것 때문에 항상 유치하게 싸워요.He always fights with her over trivial matters in a childish way.
- 그의 농담은 너무 유치한 것 같아.geu-ui nong-dam-eun neo-mu yu-chi-han geot gat-a.I think his joke is too childish.
- 그런 유치한 행동은 하지 마.geu-reon yu-chi-han haeng-dong-eun ha-ji ma.Don't do such childish things.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are arguing about a small mistake.
- 지훈 Ji-hun왜 계속 고집을 피우는 거야?wae gyesok gojibeul piuneun geoya?Why do you keep being so stubborn?
- 수빈 Su-bin내 말이 맞으니까 그러지.nae mari maj-eunikka geureoji.Because I am right.
- 지훈 Ji-hun말다툼하는 방식이 너무 유치한 것 같아.maldatumhaneun bangsigi neomu yuchihan geot gata.I think the way we argue is too childish.
- 수빈 Su-bin미안해, 지훈아. 내가 좀 심했어.mianhae, Jihuna. naega jom simhaesseo.I'm sorry, Jihoon. I went too far.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
