Nuance Dictionary / From Gaming to Real Life
고인물 go-in-mul
Stagnant water; an ultra-veteran player or employee who has been around so long their skills are absurdly high
What does 고인물 mean?
고인물 (go-in-mul) means: Stagnant water; an ultra-veteran player or employee who has been around so long their skills are absurdly high.
Can be awe-inspiring (crazy skills) or negative (refusing to change old habits).
How it's actually used
- 이 게임은 오픈한 지 오래돼서 뉴비는 없고 다 고인물밖에 없어.
I geimeun opeunhan ji oraedwaeseo nyubineun eopgo da goinmulbakke eopseo.
This game has been out for so long that there are no newbies, just hardcore veterans.
💡 Refers to veterans whose skills are so high it's intimidating to beginners. - 우리 팀 부장님은 워낙 고인물이셔서 새로운 방식을 싫어하셔.
Uri tim bujangnimeun wonak goinmurisyeoseo saeroun bangsigeul silheohasyeo.
Our department head is such an old-school veteran that he hates new methods.
💡 Can also describe stubborn, long-term employees resistant to change. - 저 게임 서버는 고인물들만 남아서 뉴비가 살아남기 힘들어요.
Jeo geim seobeoneun goinmuldeulman namaseo nyubiga saranamgi himdeureoyo.
That game server only has ultra-veterans left, making it hard for newbies to survive.
💡 Often used in online gaming communities to describe an overly competitive environment.
Related words in From Gaming to Real Life
뉴비 nyu-bi트롤(하다) teu-rol-ha-da현질(하다) hyeon-jil-ha-da만렙 mal-lep빡겜(하다) ppak-ggem-ha-da