Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
기 싸움 Gi ssaum
A subtle, silent standoff of psychological dominance and ego between colleagues or superiors.
What does 기 싸움 mean?
기 싸움 (Gi ssaum) means: A subtle, silent standoff of psychological dominance and ego between colleagues or superiors.
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How it's actually used
- 부장님이랑 신규 프로젝트 두고 은근히 기 싸움 하는 중이야.
bujang-nim-i-rang sin-gyu peu-roj-ek-teu du-go eun-geun-hi gi ssaum ha-neun jung-i-ya.
I'm in a subtle power struggle with the department head over the new project.
💡 Reveals that '은근히' (subtly) is almost always attached to office 기 싸움 — it's about plausible deniability. - 팀 가기 전에 선배랑 기 싸움에서 밀리면 끝까지 끌려다녀.
tim ga-gi jeon-e seon-bae-rang gi ssaum-e-seo mil-li-myeon kkeut-kka-ji kkeul-lyeo-da-nyeo.
If you lose the power dynamic battle with a senior before joining the team, you'll be pushed around forever.
💡 Shows the high-stakes reality: losing early means lifelong subordination. - 회의실 들어가니까 팀장님하고 대리님 사이에 기 싸움 대단하더라.
hoe-ui-sil deureo-ga-ni-kka tim-jang-nim-ha-go dae-ri-nim sa-i-e gi ssaum dae-dan-ha-deora.
When I walked into the meeting room, the tension and power struggle between the team leader and the assistant manager was intense.
💡 Highlights how bystanders can physically feel the heavy atmosphere of a 기 싸움.
Related words in Social Situations
고생 끝에 낙이 온다 Gosaeng kkeute nagi onda과연 gwayeon귀에 못이 박히다 Gwi-e mot-i bakhida귀가 솔깃하다 Gwi-ga solgithada귀를 기울이다 Gwi-reul giulida