Korean word

녀석

Pronunciation

Romanizationnyeoseok

Meaning

  • nounthat guy

Example

녀석이 또 지각했어.nyeo seo gi tto chi ga kae sseo

That guy was late again.

Illustration for 녀석 (that guy)

More examples

저 녀석 어디 갔지?cheo nyeo seok eo di kat jji

Where did that guy go?

Core concept

A casually pointed-at person, animal, or thing whose label carries the speaker's attitude.

Common phrases

  • 저 녀석cheo nyeo seok

    that guy

Similar words

놈nom: Refers to a person in a familiar, teasing way that can also sound insulting.
자식chasik: Addresses someone casually while often expressing anger or contempt.
애ae: Refers casually to a child, often with a familiar or lightly dismissive tone.

Definition in Korean

구어에서 사람이나 동물·물건을 단수로 가리키는 비격식 명사로, 말하는 이의 호감이나 경멸이 의미에 반영된다.ku eo e seo sa ra mi na tong mul mul geo neul tan su ro ka ri ki neun pi gyeok ssik myeong sa ro mal ha neun i ui ho ga mi na kyeong myeo ri ui mi e pa nyeong doen da

Word origin

The exact origin of 녀석 (nyeoseok, "a casual term for a person, animal, or thing") is uncertain, so it is best learned as a long-established colloquial Korean noun.

Usage tips

  • Unlike many English labels for a person, it can also refer casually to an animal or object, so a human-only translation can mislead.

Other meanings

  • this guynoun

Word lists with this word