꼬맹이
kkomaengi
The English phrase shorty can be translated into Korean as 꼬맹이 (kkomaengi).
꼬맹이 is used to refer to a short person, but it is most commonly used to refer to children or people perceived as much younger or smaller.
Meaning: a short person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a colloquial variation of 꼬마, which means 'little kid'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
꼬맹이 is an informal and somewhat affectionate way to refer to a small child or a short person.
How do you pronounce it?
kkomaengi
Did you know?
- Despite its meaning, 꼬맹이 is frequently used by older siblings or cousins as a term of endearment for the youngest member of the family, regardless of their actual height.
- The term 꼬맹이 is a pejorative derivation of 꼬마.
- Unlike some English slang that can be used among friends of any size, calling a tall person 꼬맹이 in a joking way is much harder to pull off in Korean without it sounding like an outright insult. The social hierarchy of age and size is very strictly tied to language.
Examples in context
- 저 꼬맹이는 정말 귀여워요.jeo kkomaengineun jeongmal gwiyeowoyo.That shorty is really cute.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are looking at a child.
- 민준 Min-jun저 꼬맹이 좀 봐.jeo kkomaeng-i jom bwa.Look at that shorty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 작고 귀여워요.jeongmal jakgo gwiyeowoyo.They are really small and cute.
- 민준 Min-jun민준이 너보다 더 작네.Minjun-i neoboda deo jakne.They are even shorter than you, Minjun.
- 서연 Seo-yeon뭐라고요? 저 안 작아요!mworagoyo? jeo an jakayo!What? I am not short!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 꼬맹이, CC BY-SA 4.0.
