편식쟁이
pyeonsikjaengi
In Korean, 'picky eater' is 편식쟁이 (pyeonsikjaengi).
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
You can use the neutral phrase 편식하는 사람 to describe 'a person who eats selectively' without the slightly teasing nuance. For a formal way to say 'a person with a picky food preference', use 음식 취향이 까다로운 사람.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The suffix -쟁이 makes the term sound somewhat colloquial or slightly teasing, making it more suitable for informal settings rather than a medical context. For formal situations, use 음식 취향이 까다로운 사람.
How does it change in a sentence?
편식쟁이 is a noun and can be used as a subject or object in a sentence, often followed by particles like -가 (subject) or -를 (object).
How do you pronounce it?
pyeonsikjaengi
Did you know?
- When describing adults, the phrase 입이 짧다, which literally means 'the mouth is short', is frequently used as a synonym for being a picky eater.
- In Korean culture, refusing certain side dishes can sometimes be seen as rejecting the care and effort of the person who prepared the meal.
- The suffix -쟁이 is often used for personality traits, but it can also describe people by their appearance, such as 멋쟁이 for a 'stylish person'.
Examples in context
- 존은 음식 취향이 까다로운 사람입니다.John is a picky eater.
- 제 동생은 정말 지독한 편식쟁이에요.je dongsaengeun jeongmal jidokhan pyeonsikjaeng-ieyo.My younger sibling is a real picky eater.
- 너는 너무 편식쟁이야.neoneun neomu pyeonsikjaeng-iya.You are such a picky eater.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are eating dinner together.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨는 왜 당근을 안 먹어요?minji ssineun wae danggeuneul an meogeoyo?Minji, why aren't you eating the carrots?
- 민지 Min-ji제가 사실 좀 편식쟁이라서요.jega sasil jom pyeonsikjaengiraseoyo.It's because I'm actually a bit of a picky eater.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말요? 저는 다 잘 먹는데.jeongmalyo? jeoneun da jal meokneunde.Really? I eat everything well.
- 민지 Min-ji부러워요. 저도 다 먹고 싶어요.bureowoyo. jeodo da meokgo sipeoyo.I'm jealous. I want to eat everything too.
