사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지
satang jumyeon an jabameokji
The English phrase "trick or treat" can be translated into Korean as 사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지 (satang jumyeon an jabameokji). If unsure, use 사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지. Wiktionary also lists 사탕 아니면 골탕 (satang animyeon goltang).
Meaning: request for candy tied to an unstated light-hearted threat (intj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지 | satang jumyeon an jabameokji |
| 사탕 아니면 골탕 | satang animyeon goltang |
The phrase 사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지 is used in a playful, light-hearted way, often by children during Halloween-style activities.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지 literally means "If you give me candy, I won't eat you".
Which one should you use?
사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지 is a more playful, rhythmic way to say "trick or treat" compared to the more direct 사탕 아니면 골탕, which literally means "Candy or a prank/trouble".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지, the part 주면 (jumyeon) is the conditional form of 주다 (to give), meaning "if [you] give".
How do you pronounce it?
satang jumyeon an jabameokji
Did you know?
- The verb 잡아먹다 used in this phrase is a staple of Korean folk tales, where tigers or monsters frequently threaten to devour protagonists.
- In Korea, you will rarely hear these phrases used organically on doorsteps because Halloween is a commercial event celebrated in themed cafes and clubs rather than as a residential tradition.
- The word 사탕 for 'candy' is actually a Sino-Korean word derived from the Chinese characters 砂糖.
Examples in context
- 빨리 사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지.ppalli satang jumyeon an jaba-meokji.Hurry and give me candy or else.
- 사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지, 얼른!satang jumyeon an jaba-meokji, eolleun!Give me candy or I'll get you, hurry!
Example conversation
Two children are visiting a neighbor's house during Halloween.
- 지훈 Ji-hun사탕 주면 안 잡아먹지!satang jumyeon an jaba-meokji!Give me candy or I'll eat you up!
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈아, 무서워!Jihoon-a, museowo!Jihoon, you're scary!
- 지훈 Ji-hun장난이야, 사탕 줘.jangnaniya, satang jwo.I'm kidding, just give me candy.
- 수빈 Su-bin여기 사탕 있어.yeogi satang isseo.Here is some candy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trick or treat” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 사탕, 아니면, 안, CC BY-SA 4.0.
