[Korean Culture & Language] Suddenly, Bank book, Part-time job

Hello, this is Uptempo!


Have you ever suddenly realized that you have no money in your account and must work (additional shifts) to make ends meet? Generation Z in Korea refers to this circumstance as ‘갑통알.’


‘갑통알’ is an abbreviation for ‘갑자기 통장을 보니 알바(아르바이트)를 해야겠다.’


‘갑자기’ means ‘suddenly’ or ‘randomly’
‘통장’ means ‘bank book’
‘보니’ means ‘see’
‘알바’ is an abbreviation for ‘아르바이트,’ which means ‘part-time job’
‘해야겠다’ means ‘I have to…’


The phrase means ‘When I checked the balance in my bank book, I suddenly realized that I would have to work to make ends meet.’


Ex)
A: 너 내일 민지 생일인 거 알았어?
A: Did you know that it’s Min-ji’s birthday tomorrow?
B: 아니, 아침에 지환이가 알려줘서 알았어.
B: I didn’t know until Ji-hwan told me this morning.
A: 생일 파티 갈거야?
A: Are you going to her party?
B: 안 그래도 고민 중이야. 선물이라도 사 가야할 것 같은데, 지금 갑통알이야 ㅠㅠ
B: I’m not sure. I was going to get her a present, but then I realized that I am completely broke. I might have to work extra just to make my ends meet. 


The term ‘갑통알’ used to be commonly used by college students or job seekers in the past. However, because of inflation, many full-time workers today also feel the need to make more money than they used to.


Have you ever experienced ‘갑통알’ before?

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