Nuance Dictionary / K-Drama Language
사회적 지뢰 sa-hoe-jeok ji-roe
Social landmine — an expression that causes unintended offense or awkwardness
What does 사회적 지뢰 mean?
사회적 지뢰 (sa-hoe-jeok ji-roe) means: Social landmine — an expression that causes unintended offense or awkwardness.
Things you step on if you use K-drama expressions without context. The 'minefield map' created by this article is how to avoid them.
🔊 From the story above
드라마체 — Deu-ra-ma-che
존댓말 — jondaetmal, "polite/formal speech"
반말 — banmal, "casual/intimate speech"
사회적 지뢰 — Sa-hoe-jeok Ji-roe
저기요 — jeo-gi-yo, "excuse me"
반말 전반 — banmal jeonban, "banmal in general"
해요체 — haeyo-che, the standard polite speech level
꺼져 — dwaessgeodeun / kkeojyeo, "forget it / get lost"
Other sides of 사회적 지뢰
◆ Corporate Minefield — No standard dictionary entries cover this specific corporate combination. Speakers apply the phrase metaphorically to delicate office subjects like office politics, compensation structures, or historical company scandals during meetings or company dinners.
Among colleagues, raising these topics can sound abrupt and create immediate stiffness, as listeners navigate unspoken boundaries.
◆ Social Media Taboo — Speakers use this compound term in online discussions to designate hyper-polarized cultural or political subjects. It typically appears in warnings or commentary regarding the risks of engaging with contentious debates on social media platforms. Users often combine it with verbs indicating avoidance or caution.
In digital spaces, this expression can signal a high degree of self-censorship and digital fatigue, often carrying the weight of exhaustion from online hostility.
◆ Interpersonal Friction — Speakers use this term to refer to unpredictable conversational triggers or sensitive personal topics within an acquaintance circle. It often appears in casual discussions about social dynamics and relationship management. It typically combines with verbs of avoidance or navigation.
Among peers, this can feel like an affectionate warning about someone's quirks, though it often reads as slightly cynical when applied too casually to friends.
Among colleagues, raising these topics can sound abrupt and create immediate stiffness, as listeners navigate unspoken boundaries.
◆ Social Media Taboo — Speakers use this compound term in online discussions to designate hyper-polarized cultural or political subjects. It typically appears in warnings or commentary regarding the risks of engaging with contentious debates on social media platforms. Users often combine it with verbs indicating avoidance or caution.
In digital spaces, this expression can signal a high degree of self-censorship and digital fatigue, often carrying the weight of exhaustion from online hostility.
◆ Interpersonal Friction — Speakers use this term to refer to unpredictable conversational triggers or sensitive personal topics within an acquaintance circle. It often appears in casual discussions about social dynamics and relationship management. It typically combines with verbs of avoidance or navigation.
Among peers, this can feel like an affectionate warning about someone's quirks, though it often reads as slightly cynical when applied too casually to friends.
🎙️ 사회적 지뢰는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [사회적 찌뢰]로 소리나요 (경음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 그 질문은 완전히 사회적 지뢰야.
geu jilmun-eun wanjeon-hi sa-hoe-jeok ji-roe-ya.
That question is a total social landmine.
💡 A speaker warning someone about a risky topic. - 대화 중에 그런 사회적 지뢰를 밟지 않도록 조심해.
daehwa jung-e geureon sa-hoe-jeok ji-roe-reul balp-ji anh-dolog josim-hae.
Be careful not to step on such social landmines during the conversation.
💡 Giving advice on avoiding awkward conversational topics. - 모임마다 숨겨진 사회적 지뢰가 있어서 피곤하다.
moim-mada sum-gyeojin sa-hoe-jeok ji-roe-ga isseoseo pigon-hada.
It's exhausting because every gathering has hidden social landmines.
💡 Expressing fatigue about navigating unwritten social rules.
Related words in K-Drama Language
밥 먹으러 갈까? bap meo-geu-reo gal-kka?술 한잔 할래? sul han-jan hal-lae?일단 나와 il-dan na-wa한잔 먹고 툭 털어버려 han-jan meo-kko tuk teo-reo-beo-ryeo나와라~ na-wa-ra~