젠장
jenjang
The Korean phrase for "darn it" is 젠장 (jenjang).
젠장 is used to express frustration or annoyance, typically when something goes wrong or when a person feels irritated by a situation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
젠장 is an informal exclamation.
How do you pronounce it?
jenjang
When do people say it?
To express mild frustration or annoyance, you might also hear the expression 아이씨. For expressing mild annoyance, frustration or disbelief, the informal expression 아이구! is commonly used.
Did you know?
- The exclamation 젠장 has a surprisingly dark origin, stemming from a phrase that once referred to the threat of being beaten with a stick during torture.
- In very formal settings, expressing even a tiny bit of frustration using 젠장 can be seen as quite jarring or socially inappropriate.
- The word 젠장 is often paired with a sharp, exhaling sound to emphasize the feeling of being fed up with a situation.
Examples in context
- 아, 젠장!a, jenjang!Ah, darn it!
- 지갑을 잃어버렸어. 젠장.jigap-eul ireobeoryeosseo. jenjang.I lost my wallet. Darn it.
- 버스를 놓쳤어. 젠장.beoseu-reul nochyeosseo. jenjang.I missed the bus. Darn it.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Minjun are playing a video game together.
- 서연 Seo-yeon젠장, 방금 죽었어!jenjang, banggeum jugeosseo!Darn it, I just died!
- 민준 Min-jun괜찮아, 다시 하면 돼.gwaenchana, dasi hamyeon dwae.It's okay, you can just do it again.
- 서연 Seo-yeon거의 다 깼는데 아쉽다.geoui da kkaenneunde aswipda.I almost beat it, what a shame.
- 민준 Min-jun내가 도와줄게.naega dowajulge.I'll help you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 젠장, CC BY-SA 4.0.
