Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language
미역국을 먹다 Miyeokgugeul meokda
To fail a major entrance exam, job test, or audition, jokingly or superstitiously blamed on eating slippery seaweed.
What does 미역국을 먹다 mean?
미역국을 먹다 (Miyeokgugeul meokda) means: To fail a major entrance exam, job test, or audition, jokingly or superstitiously blamed on eating slippery seaweed.
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How it's actually used
- 나 이번 공채 또 미역국 먹었어.
Na ibon gongchae tto miyeokgugeul meogeosseo.
I drank seaweed soup (failed) on the open recruitment exam again this time.
💡 Reveals how casually and self-deprecatingly adults talk about job application rejections. - 수능 시험장에 미역국 싸 들고 가는 사람은 없지.
Suneung siheomjange miyeokguk ssa deulgo ganeun sarameun eobji.
Nobody packs seaweed soup to take to the Suneung test site.
💡 Highlights the deep-rooted superstition surrounding the soup and high-stakes tests. - 친구야, 이번에 미역국 먹었다고 너무 기죽지 마.
Chinguya, ibone ne miyeokguk meogeotdago neomu gijukji ma.
Hey friend, don't lose your nerve just because you failed the test this time.
💡 Shows the comforting, empathetic side of using the phrase to console a disappointed peer.
Related words in Culture & Language
눈치를 보다 nun-chi-reul bo-da눈치가 없다 Nunchiga eopda오운완 o-un-wan사회생활 Sa-hoe-saeng-hwal서당 개 삼 년이면 풍월을 읊는다 Seodang gae sam nyeonimyeon pungworeul eupneunda