Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MollyBloom]

1. If I am in a crowded place, and I need to get by, which is more appropriate for "excuse me:"

실례합니다 or 참시만요

2. What are some names of endearment for couples? I know 자기 (girl/boyfriends) and 여보 (for husband and wife). I also know 오빠, but what is the female equivalent?

[Privateer]

[MollyBloom]

[tzechuk]

IF the girl is older than the boy, then the boy can call her Noona.. but since generally girls are younger than boys, no, they don't have any other terms of endearment like that. Oppa is a respectful way of calling someone older than you.

[Jammer113]

[SeoulFinn]

1. I think that both work, but the 1st one might be better. Sometimes I use "미안하지만..." and it works equally well.

2. I called my girl 여왕 and 장군, as she was a bit bossy at times.

[Privateer]

I think it feels a bit weird for guys to call their girlfriends 누나 even when she's older, because it says something about who's dependent on who in the relationship. I mean it's not impossible, but it makes the woman sound like a sugar-mummy. And the norm is for girls to be younger than their bfs.

I know one older female + younger male couple and I've never heard him call her 누나. On the other hand, a younger Korean male friend would call my girlfriend 누나, out of politeness.

[Underwaterbob]

Oppa, which is literally "older brother" and more like "big boy" when used by lover, doesn't have a feminine equivalent in the same way an English speaking woman calls her lover "big boy" or "big daddy" doesn't have an equivalent because not many women want to be called "big girl" or "big momma" in that context.

실레합니다 is more polite, while 잠시만요 is more common and only a little less polite (and can also mean "Just a minute" or "Just a second".)

[Gaber]

[harlowethrombey]

[tzechuk]

[samd]

I think 잠시만요 is more natural - most of the time that's what I hear between Koreans in a pushing through crowds situation.

As far as terms of endearment go, Koreans like to make up pet names for each other that no one has ever used before, to "make a new and special romantic feeling", so find some cute wordplay on their name or a private joke you guys have.

[kellettp]

[bobbyhanlon]

[blackjack]