정신 차려
The English phrase "get a grip" can be translated into Korean as 정신 차려.
정신 차려 is used to tell someone to return to a rational handling of reality. While it can mean 'get a grip' in an emotional sense, it is also used to tell someone to 'pay attention' or 'wake up' if they are being spacey or distracted.
Meaning: to return to a rational handling of reality (verb)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal way to say "Please control yourself", use 자제하세요.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 정신 차려라 is a blunt, forceful imperative often used by elders to younger people or in fiction.
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific term 정신줄을 놓다, meaning 'to let go of the mind-string'. This describes the exact opposite of 'getting a grip', suggesting the mind is a tether that has snapped.
- The word 차려 comes from the verb 'to set' or 'to prepare', as in setting a table, so the phrase implies 'arranging' your spirit properly.
- The word 정신 is used in the phrase 정신이 없다, which literally means 'there is no mind'. This is the common way to say you are incredibly busy or overwhelmed by chaos.
Examples in context
- 정신 차려, 지금은 공부할 때야.jeongsin charyeo, jigeum-eun gongbu-hal ttaeya.Get a grip, it's time to study now.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about a mistake Subin made during a game.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈아, 정신 차려. 벌써 세 번이나 틀렸어.Subin-a, jeongsin charyeo. beolsseo se beon-ina teullyeosseo.Subin, get a grip. You've already made mistakes three times.
- 수빈 Su-bin미안해, 내가 너무 긴장했나 봐.mianhae, naega neomu ginjang-haetna bwa.I'm sorry, I think I got too nervous.
- 민준 Min-jun할 수 있어. 집중해!hal su isseo. jipjung-hae!You can do it. Focus!
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 이제 정신 차릴게.eung, ije jeongsin charilge.Okay, I'll get a grip now.
