젠장
jenjang
The Korean phrase for "dang" is 젠장 (jenjang).
Another informal way to say "dang" to express mild surprise, disappointment or frustration is 아이구.
How do you pronounce it?
jenjang
Did you know?
- The word 젠장 is a contraction of 제, which is short for the word for 'incest', and ㄴ장, short for 'torture by beating'.
- In Korean media and subtitles, 젠장 is often replaced by symbols or 'bleeped' out if the character is meant to be polite, even though it is not a primary swear word.
- While 젠장 is used for frustration, the similar sounding 아이구 is frequently used by elderly people to express physical pain or exhaustion.
Examples in context
- 어이쿠, 또 실수했어요!Dang, I made a mistake again!
- 아이구, 진짜?Dang, really?
- 젠장, 버스를 놓쳤어.jenjang, beoseureul nochyeosseo.Dang, I missed the bus.
- 아, 젠장! 배가 너무 고파.a, jenjang! baega neomu gopa.Ah, dang! I'm so hungry.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo realizes he left his wallet at home.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo젠장, 지갑을 집에 두고 왔어.jenjang, jigabeul jibe dugo wasseo.Dang, I left my wallet at home.
- 민지 Min-ji정말? 그럼 어떻게 해?jeongmal? geureom eotteoke hae?Really? Then what do we do?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo내가 다시 빨리 다녀올게.naega dasi ppalli danyeoolge.I'll go back and get it quickly.
- 민지 Min-ji알았어, 여기서 기다릴게.arasseo, yeogiseo gidarilge.Okay, I'll wait here.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 젠장, CC BY-SA 4.0.
