Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language
청개구리 Cheong-gaeguri
An affectionate or exasperated label for a child who instinctively does the exact opposite of what they are told.
What does 청개구리 mean?
청개구리 (Cheong-gaeguri) means: An affectionate or exasperated label for a child who instinctively does the exact opposite of what they are told.
Speakers use this label to describe children or family members who persistently act contrary to instructions or expectations. It appears in contexts discussing adolescent rebellion or everyday family friction. It combines with terms for behavior or attitude, such as 청개구리 노릇 or 청개구리 심보, and often appears in descriptions where someone does the opposite of what is requested. A parent discussing an adolescent child uses it in polite speech when reflecting on parenting challenges.
Can carry a blend of affectionate exasperation and genuine frustration, framing stubborn behavior through a familiar cultural folk figure rather than harsh reprimand.
Can carry a blend of affectionate exasperation and genuine frustration, framing stubborn behavior through a familiar cultural folk figure rather than harsh reprimand.
Other sides of 청개구리
◆ playful-stubbornness — Speakers use this to describe someone who consistently does the opposite of what is requested or expected, such as deliberately doing what they were told not to do. It frequently appears in compounds like 청개구리 심보, 청개구리 짓, and 청개구리 노릇, highlighting a stubborn, contrarian disposition. It is applied to family members and peers alike when their behavior is persistently contrary.
When used among peers or adults to describe stubborn behavior, it can carry a playfully exasperated tone, framing the contrarian streak as a comical habit rather than a serious flaw.
When used among peers or adults to describe stubborn behavior, it can carry a playfully exasperated tone, framing the contrarian streak as a comical habit rather than a serious flaw.
How it's actually used
- 동생은 엄마가 하라는 건 안 하고 하지 말라는 것만 골라서 하니 꼭 청개구리 같다.
dong-saeng-eun eom-ma-ga ha-ra-neun geon an ha-go ha-ji mal-ra-neun geot-man gol-aseo ha-ni kkok cheong-gaeguri gat-da.
My younger sibling doesn't do what Mom says and only picks things she tells them not to do, so they're just like a green frog.
💡 Describing a sibling who deliberately does the opposite of instructions. - 말도 마세요. 이 놈이 사춘기가 되더니 사사건건 청개구리 노릇만 하지 뭐예요.
mal-do ma-se-yo. i nom-i sa-chun-gi-ga doe-de-ni sa-sa-geon-geon cheong-gaeguri no-rut-man ha-ji mwo-ye-yo.
Don't even ask. Ever since this kid hit puberty, he just acts like a green frog at every single turn.
💡 A parent expressing exasperation over a teenager's defiant behavior. - 그 앤, 다시는 안 싸운다고 엄마하고 약속해 놓고 틈만 나면 동생을 때리는 청개구리였다.
geu aen, da-si-neun an ssa-un-da-go eom-ma-ha-go yak-sok-hae no-ko teum-man na-myeon dong-saeng-eul ttae-ri-neun cheong-gaeguri-eot-da.
That kid was a green frog who promised his mom he wouldn't fight again, only to hit his sibling whenever he got the chance.
💡 Recalling a child who repeatedly breaks promises and does the opposite.