Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
옥신 ok-sin
Persistent, petty verbal sparring where neither side will yield an inch.
What does 옥신 mean?
옥신 (ok-sin) means: Persistent, petty verbal sparring where neither side will yield an inch.
You will rarely hear '옥신' by itself; it lives and breathes as the reduplicated twin '옥신각신'. It captures that specific, mildly exhausting dynamic where two people are going back and forth over something ultimately trivial—like who left the front door unlocked or which direction to walk—neither willing to drop their ego. It’s not a violent, screaming match; it’s a stubborn, circular ping-pong of minor grievances. Learners often confuse it with serious arguments, but natives reach for it when the interaction is more tedious than terrifying.
🎙️ 옥신은 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [옥씬]로 소리나요 (경음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 둘이서 뭘 그렇게 옥신각신해? 빨리 나와!
Dul-i-seo mwol geureoke ok-singak-sinhae? Ppalli nawa!
What on earth are you two bickering back and forth about? Hurry up and come out!
💡 Shows how the word is deployed by an impatient onlooker observing a petty stalemate. - 메뉴 고르는 것만으로도 한참을 옥신각신했다.
Menyu goreuneun geotman-eurodo hanchameul ok-singak-sinhaetda.
We spent ages going back and forth just picking a menu.
💡 Demonstrates the word's favorite habitat: low-stakes, circular decision-making. - 그만 좀 옥신각신하고 내 말 좀 들어봐.
Geuman jom ok-singak-sinhago nae mal jom deureobwa.
Stop bickering already and just listen to what I have to say.
💡 Highlights how the speaker tries to break a stubborn deadlock by demanding control.
Related words in Social Situations
오르지 못할 나무는 쳐다도 보지 마라 Oreuji mothal namuneun chyeodado boji mara파김치가 되다 Pa-gimchiga doeda폭풍 pok-pung뻔하다 ppeon-ha-da시시콜콜 si-si-kol-kol