언더독
eondeodog
The Korean word for 'underdog' is 언더독 (eondeodog).
언더독 refers to a competitor thought unlikely to win. In media and academic contexts, it is frequently used in the phrase 언더독 효과 (underdog effect) to describe the phenomenon where people support the weaker party.
Meaning: competitor thought unlikely to win (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
eondeodog
Did you know?
- In Korean internet slang, the desire to see an 언더독 win is sometimes expressed through the phrase 사이다, which refers to a refreshing carbonated drink and means a feeling of sudden justice or relief.
- When describing the opposite of an 언더독 in a negative sense, Koreans use the word 갑 ('gap'), referring to the party with superior power in a contract or relationship.
- In Korean sports commentary, the opposite of 언더독 is not always 'favorite' but often 강팀 ('strong team'), focusing on the power dynamic rather than the odds of winning.
Examples in context
- 이 소설은 주인공이 하찮은 자에서 부자로 성장하는 이야기입니다.This novel tells the story of a protagonist who grows from an underdog into a wealthy person.
- 모두가 언더독의 승리를 응원하고 있어요.moduga eondeodog-ui seungni-reul eung-won-hago isseoyo.Everyone is rooting for the underdog's victory.
- 그 선수는 전형적인 언더독 스타일이에요.geu seonsu-neun jeonhyeongjeogin eondeodog seutail-ieyo.That athlete is a typical underdog type.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a sports broadcast at a cafe.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 이번 경기 결과 봤어요?Minjun ssi, ibon gyeonggi gyeol-gwa bwasseoyo?Minjun, did you see the result of this match?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 언더독이 이기는 걸 보고 정말 놀랐어요.Ne, eondeodog-i igineun geol bogo jeongmal nollasseoyo.Yes, I was really surprised to see the underdog win.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말 드라마틱한 승리였던 것 같아요.Jeongmal deuramatik-han seungni-yeot-deon geot gatayo.I think it was a truly dramatic victory.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨 말대로 정말 대단했어요.Subin ssi mal-daero jeongmal daedanhaesseoyo.It was amazing, just as you said, Subin.
