사소한
sasohan
The English phrase "petty" can be translated into Korean as 사소한 (sasohan).
사소한 is used to describe something that is trivial, insignificant or petty.
Meaning: of persons or their behaviour: marked by or reflective of undesirably limited interests, sympathies, or views, preoccupied with subjects having little or no importance and not mindful of broader concerns (adj)
Which one should you use?
In English, the word "petty" can sometimes describe a person's spiteful character, 사소한 is primarily used to describe the insignificance of objects, events or details.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form (the infinitive) of the adjective is 사소하다.
How do you pronounce it?
sasohan
Did you know?
- While 사소한 describes petty details or things, if you want to call a person's character 'petty' in a spiteful sense, Koreans often use the word 속이 좁다, which literally means 'to have a narrow stomach'.
- The word 사소하다 is derived from Hanja, where the character 사 (細) means 'fine' or 'thin' and 소 (小) means 'small'.
- When discussing 'petty' amounts of money, Koreans might use the term 푼돈, which refers to tiny, insignificant coins or small change, rather than using the adjective 사소한.
Examples in context
- 그는 사소한 문제에 대해서 너무 신경을 쓰는 편이야.He tends to be too concerned about trivial matters.
- 이런 사소한 일에 화내지 말아요.Don't get angry about such petty things.
- 친구끼리 이런 세세한 것을 신경쓰지 않는 게 좋지.It's better not to worry about these small things among friends.
- 사소한 일로 싸우지 마세요.sasohan illo ssauji maseyo.Don't fight over petty things.
- 그는 사소한 것에 너무 집착해요.geuneun sasohan geose neomu jipchakhaeyo.He is too obsessed with petty matters.
- 이것은 정말 사소한 문제입니다.igeoseun jeongmal sasohan munjeimnida.This is a truly petty problem.
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are discussing a small disagreement at work.
- 민준 Min-jun그건 정말 사소한 문제예요.geugeon jeongmal sasohan munje-yeyo.It is a really petty issue.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요, 너무 신경 쓰지 마세요.majayo, neomu singyeong sseuji maseyo.True, don't worry about it too much.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨는 정말 대범하시네요.Minji ssineun jeongmal daebeomhasineyo.Minji, you are very broad-minded.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨도 너무 스트레스 받지 마요.Minjun ssido neomu seuteureseu batji mayo.Minjun, don't get too stressed either.
