싸이코패스
ssaikopaeseu
The Korean word for "psycho" is 싸이코패스 (ssaikopaeseu).
The term is used to describe a person acting in a bizarre or dangerous manner. The slang term 사이코 is often used as an insult to describe someone acting strangely, irrationally or annoyingly.
Meaning: person acting in a bizarre or dangerous manner (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
ssaikopaeseu
Did you know?
- Korean speakers may use 싸이코 to describe a high-performance athlete or gamer who possesses an almost inhuman level of focus and skill, framing the 'craziness' as a positive trait.
- Even though it is a loanword, the way 'ssa' is pronounced in 싸이코 uses a tense 's' sound that makes the insult sound much sharper and more impactful than the English version.
- On Korean variety shows, the word 사이코 is often used as a comedic label, appearing as colorful text on screen to playfully mock a celebrity's eccentric behavior.
Examples in context
- 그 사람은 정신병자인 것 같아요.That person seems to be mentally ill.
- 그 사람은 진짜 싸이코패스 같아.geu saram-eun jin-jja ssai-ko-pae-seu gat-a.That person is truly like a psycho.
- 싸이코패스 같은 행동은 하지 마.ssai-ko-pae-seu gat-eun haeng-dong-eun ha-ji ma.Don't act like a psycho.
- 영화 속의 캐릭터가 싸이코패스였어.yeong-hwa sok-ui kae-rik-teo-ga ssai-ko-pae-seu-yeoss-eo.The character in the movie was a psycho.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyeon are discussing a true crime documentary.
- 민지 Min-ji그 범인은 정말 싸이코패스 같았어.geu beom-in-eun jeong-mal ssai-ko-pae-seu gat-ass-eo.That criminal was truly like a psycho.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 무서운 사람이야, 민지야.jeong-mal mu-seo-un sa-ram-i-ya, Min-ji-ya.He is a truly scary person, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji세상에는 왜 그런 사람이 있을까?se-sang-e-neun wae geu-reon sa-ram-i iss-eul-kka?Why are there such people in the world?
- 도현 Do-hyeon그러게 말이야, 정말 이해가 안 돼.geu-reo-ge mal-i-ya, jeong-mal i-hae-ga an dwae.I know, I really don't understand it.
