Nuance Dictionary / Grammar
치고 Chigo
Stating that something applies universally across an entire category without a single exception.
What does 치고 mean?
치고 (Chigo) means: Stating that something applies universally across an entire category without a single exception.
When natives reach for this facet of 치고, they are making a sweeping, absolute statement about a whole group. It acts as a blunt instrument to say 'without exception' or 'across the board,' cutting through any potential gray areas. Learners often confuse this with the contrast facet—where a fact defies expectations—but here, the point is absolute conformity, not surprise.
Other sides of 치고
◆ The Unexpected Contrast — Textbooks love to teach '-치고' as a simple rule of 'considering that...', but natives use it when reality slaps expectations right across the face. It’s the linguistic equivalent of raising an eyebrow and saying, 'For a [X], they are suspiciously good/bad/weird.' If you use it neutrally, you sound like a robot; natives reach for it when a specific case completely breaks the stereotype of its category.
How it's actually used
- 애들 치고 로봇 싫어하는 애 없지.
aedeul-chigo robot silh-eohaneun ae eobt-ji.
There isn't a single kid who doesn't hate robots—every single one loves them.
💡 Applies a trait universally to an entire category (children). - 요즘 사람들 치고 스마트폰 안 쓰는 사람 어디 있어?
yojeum saramdeul-chigo sumateupon an sseuneun saram eodi isseo?
Is there anyone among modern people who doesn't use a smartphone?
💡 Uses a rhetorical question to cement the claim that the rule has zero exceptions. - 외국인 치고 김치 안 매워하는 사람 드물지.
oe-guk-in-chigo gimchi an maewohaneun saram deumul-ji.
It's rare to find a foreigner who doesn't find kimchi spicy.
💡 Frames a near-universal generalization about an entire demographic.
Related words in Grammar
대로 Daero등 등 Deung deung도대체 do-dae-che되다 Doeda에 vs 에서 e vs eseo