Korean Job Discussion Forums

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Just started my second year here and I'm on a new mission. I must rid every Korean student of the words "so-so" !

Where the heck did they pick this up from! I don't think I've ever heard more than 2 native speakers respond to "How are you?" or "did you have a good time?" with "so-so".

Please help me in my crusade. We must teach them "ok", "not bad", "alright" anything but "so-so"!!

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

It's a noble crusade. Let me add two more to the jihad:

"Did you have a good lunch?"
"OK!"

"Imfinethankyouandyou"

On the other hand · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue

I've heard lots of westerners say so-so to indicate "not really good and not really bad". Okay, Koreans seem to have picked it up with a vengeance, but what the hell. Their usage of it is usually correct. How can we be so selective about which items Koreans should use?

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

Korea Newfie · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Newfoundland and Labrador

After close to three years hee, my girlfriend's been scolding me lately for saying "so-so." The horrible part about this is that for the life of me, I can't remember not having said it before I came. She assures me I didn't, but it seems natural to me after all this time!

Them: "Hey, how was the movie?"
Me: "So-so.."

Shocked

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I've been on the "So-So is not a good answer" crusade for 3 years.

Lazy students use it the same way they use "computer games".

peppermint · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:32 pm Post subject:

When a new group of students use phrases like "Nothing special", "so-so" or the other usual suspects, I tend to tell them that native speakers don't use those phrases very often.

I write a big list of possible alternatives on the board, and then tell them that if I hear either of those two phrases again, I'll stab myself with the board marker out of boredom.

Later when a student uses those phrases, I'll make a bit of a scene and pretend to stab myself. I usually only have to do it once.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I've got a word to add to the list
Same-same

I can't stand that either. never said that before I came here but it is creeping into the vocab.

lawyertood · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject:

What is your take, then, on "See you again?"

Can't recall ever hearing that at home but it must be in the books they learn English from here.

peppermint · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:04 pm Post subject:

I've been hearing people say "Have a good time!" instead of goodbye recently too. I can only attribute it to bad writing in recent KT ads.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Yeah, I've heard a lot of Have a Good Time lately as well.

Something that my mom would say to me but hey, at least the pronunciation is good. Smile

On the other hand · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue

On the other hand · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

katydid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...

Yeah someone should clarify when you can say Have a good time to someone leaving you. "Where are you going?" "To the store?" "Have a good time!" just sounds odd.