쓸모없는 놈
sseulmoeomneun nom
The English phrase "waste fellow" can be translated into Korean as 쓸모없는 놈 (sseulmoeomneun nom).
This phrase is used as a derogatory term for a person who is considered useless or good for nothing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 쓸모없는 (useless/of no use) and 놈 (a derogatory or highly informal term for a male/fellow).
Which one should you use?
쓸모없는 놈 is a harsh insult, whereas 쓸모없는 사람 is a more neutral, descriptive way to say "a useless person" without the aggressive connotation of 놈.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term is highly informal and derogatory, used to insult someone's character or utility.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 쓸모없다 (to be useless) is used in its noun-modifying form 쓸모없는 to describe the noun 놈.
How do you pronounce it?
sseulmoeomneun nom
Did you know?
- In modern Korean, using 놈 to describe a close friend or a younger sibling can sometimes be a sign of intimacy rather than a true insult.
- The word 놈 was originally a neutral term used to refer to any person, regardless of gender, in Middle Korean. It only evolved into a disparaging term specifically targeting men over time.
- Because 놈 is specifically male, a woman would typically be called a 년 (nyeon) to convey the same level of contempt as 쓸모없는 놈.
Examples in context
- 그는 정말 쓸모없는 놈이야.geuneun jeongmal sseulmoomneun nomiya.He is a truly useless fellow.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are talking about a problematic person.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그 사람은 정말 쓸모없는 놈이야.geu sarameun jeongmal sseulmoomneun nomiya.That person is a truly useless fellow.
- 민지 Min-ji그렇게 심한 말을 꼭 해야겠어?geureoke simhan mareul kkok haeyagesseo?Do you really have to say such harsh words?
- 지훈 Ji-hun현실을 말하는 것뿐이야.hyeonsireul malhaneun geotppuniya.I am just telling the truth about reality.
- 민지 Min-ji그래도 너무 무례해, 지훈아.geuraedo neomu murehae, jihoon-a.Still, it is too rude, Jihoon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 놈, CC BY-SA 4.0.
