[Korean Culture & Language] To get someone on the plane

Hello, this is Uptempo Marketers!


There are English and Korean expression that look similar to each other when you do a literal translation. However, you will find their meanings to be completely different. I will give you an example.


Photo by John McArthur on Unsplash

When you ‘put someone to flight,’ in English, it means ‘to help someone to flee’.

In Korean, ‘비행기를 태우다(to give someone a ride on an airplane)’ means ‘to over-compliment(flatter) someone’ or ‘over-praising someone’. 


Ex)

A: 조금 있다가 데이트 있는데 샤워도 못 했어. 오늘 상태 완전 별로다.

I have a date in a bit, and I didn’t even have time to shower. I look terrible.

B: 무슨 말이야? 넌 항상 예뻐!

What are you saying? You always look beautiful!

A: 아니야. 비행기 태우지마!

I’m not. Please don’t give me an airplane ride (stop over-complimenting me)!


Ex)

A: 너 진짜 똑똑하다!

You are so smart!

B: 맞아. 그렇지?

I am, right?

C: 얘 비행기 그만 태워. 우리가 그럴 때 마다 얘 진짜인 줄 알고 거만해지더라.

Stop getting him on the plane (stop flattering him too much). He becomes super arrogant whenever we compliment him.


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