Korean word

계륵

Pronunciation

Romanizationkyereuk

Meaning

  • nounuseless but hard to give up

Example

그 프로젝트는 계륵이다.keu peu ro jek teu neun kye reu gi da

The project is useless but hard to give up.

Illustration for 계륵 (useless but hard to give up)

More examples

이 시스템은 회사에서 계륵 같은 존재였다.i si seu te meun hoe sa e seo kye reuk ka teun chon jae yeot tta

This system was of little use to the company, but it was hard to abandon.

Core concept

Something with little practical value that still feels too wasteful or regrettable to abandon.

Common phrases

  • 계륵 같은 존재kye reuk ka teun chon jae

    something useless but hard to abandon

Similar words

애물단지aemuldanji: A troublesome object or matter that brings little benefit and creates inconvenience.
골칫거리kolchitkkeori: A source of trouble that demands effort to resolve.
고민거리komingeori: A matter that prompts worry and requires ongoing consideration.

Definition in Korean

가치가 크지 않아도 버리기 아까운 대상이나 상태를 이르는 말로, 사물이나 계획을 평가할 때 주로 쓰이는 명사.ka chi ga keu ji a na do peo ri gi a kka un tae sang i na sang tae reul i reu neun mal lo sa mu ri na kye hoe geul pyeong ga hal ttae chu ro sseu i neun myeong sa

Word origin

This Sino-Korean term comes from a Chinese expression meaning chicken ribs, which have little meat but are still not worth throwing away.

Usage tips

  • For plans and projects, it often signals a reluctant middle position: keep it for now, but do not treat it as a strong success.

Opposites

Word lists with this word