철 좀 들어
cheol jom deureo
The English phrase "grow up" can be expressed in Korean as 철 좀 들어 (cheol jom deureo).
This phrase is used to criticize someone's immature behavior or lack of common sense rather than their physical growth.
Meaning: to mature and become an adult (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the noun 철 (maturity) and the verb 들다 (to enter/come into). The word 좀 is added to soften the command or to mean 'a little bit'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 좀 (jom) is added to soften the command or to mean 'a little bit', making it a common way to tell someone to act more maturely.
How do you pronounce it?
cheol jom deureo
Did you know?
- The noun 철 used in this phrase is a homonym that also means 'season'. To 'grow up' is conceptually linked to the arrival of the correct season for something to happen.
- The phrase 철 좀 들어 is almost never used toward a superior or older person, as suggesting they lack maturity is considered a severe social transgression in Korea.
- A common variation, 철이 없다, meaning 'to not have maturity', is often used as a playful or endearing way to describe a 'kid at heart' adult, depending on the tone.
Examples in context
- 너 이제 철 좀 들어라.neo i-je cheol jom deul-eo-ra.You should grow up now.
- 제발 철 좀 들어.je-bal cheol jom deul-eo.Please grow up.
Example conversation
Dohyun is complaining about something trivial to Subin.
- 도현 Do-hyeon나 이거 하기 싫어!na igeo hagi silheo!I don't want to do this!
- 수빈 Su-bin도현, 제발 철 좀 들어.Dohyun, jebal cheol jom deureo.Dohyun, please grow up.
- 도현 Do-hyeon왜 나한테만 그래?wae nahanteman geurae?Why are you only doing this to me?
- 수빈 Su-bin행동하는 게 너무 어린애 같아.haengdonghaneun ge neomu eorinae gata.You are acting too much like a child.
