손가락 걸고 약속
songarak geolgo yakssok
The English phrase 'pinky promise' is translated into Korean as 손가락 걸고 약속 (songarak geolgo yakssok).
손가락 걸고 약속 refers to a promise made by entwining pinky fingers. It is commonly used by children or in cute/playful contexts between adults to demand a sincere commitment, as seen in the command 손가락 걸고 약속해! (Pinky promise me!).
Meaning: promise made by entwining pinky fingers (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means 'a promise made while hooking fingers'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun phrase into a suggestion to make a pinky promise, you add the verb ending –하자 (let's) to create 손가락 걸고 약속하자 (Let's pinky promise).
How do you pronounce it?
songarak geolgo yakssok
Did you know?
- The word 약속 contains the Hanja character 束, which carries the meaning of 'to bind' or 'to tie up'.
- The word 가락 in 손가락 is also used in Korean to describe the 'melody' or 'rhythm' of a song, suggesting a sense of continuous line or sequence.
- In Korean pop culture and dramas, the pinky promise is frequently used as a 'fan service' gesture to signify a special, secret bond between characters.
Examples in context
- 우리 손가락 걸고 약속하자.uri songarak geolgo yaksok-haja.Let's make a pinky promise.
- 그건 손가락 걸고 약속한 거야.geugeon songarak geolgo yaksok-han geoya.That was a pinky promise.
- 손가락 걸고 약속해도 괜찮아?songarak geolgo yaksok-haedo gwaenchana?Is it okay to make a pinky promise?
Example conversation
Two friends are making a small pact about a secret.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이건 우리 둘만의 비밀이야.igeon uri dul-manui bimiriya.This is a secret between just the two of us.
- 민지 Min-ji응, 손가락 걸고 약속할게.eung, songarak geolgo yaksok-halge.Yes, I pinky promise.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지야, 꼭 지켜야 해.Minji-ya, kkok jikyeoya hae.Minji, you must keep it.
- 민지 Min-ji도현아, 걱정 마.Dohyeon-a, geokjeong ma.Dohyeon, don't worry.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 손가락, 약속, CC BY-SA 4.0.
