말랑말랑한
mallangmallanghan
The English word "squishy" is translated to Korean as 말랑말랑한 (mallangmallanghan).
말랑말랑한 is used to describe an object or substance that yields easily to pressure, is very soft or is especially soft and wet like mud.
Meaning: (of an object or substance) yielding easily to pressure, very soft, especially, soft and wet, as mud (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The core of the word is the reduplicated onomatopoeic expression 말랑말랑, which mimics the sensation of something soft and yielding.
Which one should you use?
While 말랑말랑한 describes something soft and pleasant (like a marshmallow or a soft toy), 물렁물렁한 often describes something that has lost its firmness in an unpleasant way (like overripe fruit or soft tissue).
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 말랑말랑한 (squishy) changes to 말랑말랑해 when used as a predicate in casual speech, and changes to 말랑말랑해요 when used as a predicate in polite speech.
How do you pronounce it?
mallangmallanghan
Did you know?
- While 말랑말랑한 is positive, using 물렁물렁한 to describe a person's character means they are spineless or lack conviction. It transforms the 'squishy' physical feeling into a personality flaw.
- The word 말랑말랑 is an example of a 'mimetic word' which describes a tactile sensation rather than a sound. While English onomatopoeia usually mimics noise, Korean has a whole category of words for how things feel to the touch.
- The reduplicated form 말랑말랑 is an example of 'ideophones', words that evoke a sensory experience through sound, a common feature in Korean that is much more extensive than in English.
Examples in context
- 말랑말랑한 젤리를 좋아해요.mallang-mallanghan jellyreul joahae-yo.I like squishy jelly.
- 이 쿠션은 정말 말랑말랑한 느낌이에요.i cushion-eun jeongmal mallang-mallanghan neukkim-ieyo.This cushion has a very squishy feel.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are looking at a new stress ball in a shop.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 스트레스 볼 진짜 말랑말랑한데?i stress ball jinja mallang-mallang-hande?This stress ball is really squishy, isn't it?
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요, 지훈 씨. 정말 부드러워요.majayo, Jihoon ssi. jeongmal budeureowoyo.That's right, Jihoon. It is very soft.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨도 한번 만져봐요.Jieun ssi-do hanbeon manjyeobwayo.Jieun, you should touch it too.
- 지은 Ji-eun우와, 정말 기분 좋은 촉감이에요.uwa, jeongmal gibun joeun chokgam-ieyo.Wow, it has a really pleasant texture.
