Nuance Dictionary / Drinking & Dining Culture
잔이 비다 jan-i bi-da
For a glass to be empty — a social vacuum that requires immediate intervention
What does 잔이 비다 mean?
잔이 비다 (jan-i bi-da) means: For a glass to be empty — a social vacuum that requires immediate intervention.
In Korean table etiquette, an empty glass is treated with gentle urgency. It represents a temporary lapse in attentiveness, symbolizing isolation or neglect that must be mended instantly by anyone at the table.
🎙️ 잔이 비다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [자니 비다]로 소리나요 (연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 술자리가 무르익어 가는데 계속 잔이 빈다.
suljariga mureuik-eo ganeunde gyesok jani binda.
The drinking party is heating up, and glasses keep running empty.
💡 Signals that continuous pouring is needed. - 눈치 빠르게 잔이 비기 전에 술을 권했다.
nunchi ppareuge jani bigi jeone sureul gwonhaetda.
Quick on the uptake, I offered a drink before the glass went empty.
💡 Demonstrates attentiveness at the table. - 이야기가 길어지면서 잔이 빈 채로 방치되었다.
iyagiga gireojimyeonseo jani bin chaero bangchidoeeotda.
As the conversation dragged on, the empty glass was left unattended.
💡 Represents a lapse in the expected hosting etiquette.
Related words in Drinking & Dining Culture
따르다 ttareu-da해장(하다) hae-jang-ha-da필름(이) 끊기다 pil-leum-i-kkeun-ki-da주사(를 부리다) ju-sa-reul-bu-ri-da달리다 dal-li-da