Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Ajossi and Ajuma
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Adventurer



Joined: 28 Jan 2006
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:55 am    Post subject: Ajossi and Ajuma Reply with quote
What's it mean say if someone calls you a ajossi or ajuma. What does it translate to exactly? How would you feel, as a foreigner, if someone called you that?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
metalhead



Joined: 18 May 2010
Location: Toilet
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I take it your Korean studies are not going well then?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Adventurer



Joined: 28 Jan 2006
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
metalhead wrote:
I take it your Korean studies are not going well then?


I am taking the second installment tomorrow, as a matter-of-fact.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
metalhead



Joined: 18 May 2010
Location: Toilet
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ah okay, good luck with it and all. In Korea long-term then?

As for the OP, if a random stranger called me that to get my attention in the street or something, I would not take offense. If one of my students called me an ajeoshi, I would take it as a slight.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Adventurer



Joined: 28 Jan 2006
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
metalhead wrote:
Ah okay, good luck with it and all. In Korea long-term then?

As for the OP, if a random stranger called me that to get my attention in the street or something, I would not take offense. If one of my students called me an ajeoshi, I would take it as a slight.


This is a university student. I teach at a university and know the person just a little bit and said she can't call me that.

Call me teacher or my name, but calling me that in gest isn't my cup of tea. I hear you about some random person calling me that. I've got no problem with that. I don't know if I am here long-term. I've lived here before. I may renew. I am trying to learn as much as I can, so I can understand the place more, and I like languages. I think you can get a tonne more out of Korea if you get a lot of the lingo down, and that's what I am aiming to do. I've come a long way.

Last edited by Adventurer on Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:30 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
The Floating World



Joined: 01 Oct 2011
Location: Here
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
It all depends on context.

If you're a young man and a young girl is saying it in a mocking voice - its mocking and suggesting you're an old geezer.

If you are over 30 and they're younger than you and it's said in just a generally, addressing way - no big deal and is the same as they would say to a Korean man that age. Hell I've had Korean guys older than me call me it when they needed to get my attention. It's essentially the same as someone in the west calling you 'Mister.'
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
UknowsI



Joined: 16 Apr 2009
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
From my limited understanding, I would guess that she should call you teacher or professor if she is your student, but that it would otherwise not be rude to call you ajossi if you're 30 or above.

Lots of girls also use the word to annoy guys by making them feel old.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
PatrickGHBusan



Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Adjoshi will simple denote you as "older man" if its used by someone younger outside of a formal setting.

I school, it would be son saeng nim if you are the person's teacher.

Its not rude.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ontheway



Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Location: Somewhere under the rainbow...
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
PatrickGHBusan wrote:
Adjoshi will simple denote you as "older man" if its used by someone younger outside of a formal setting.

I school, it would be son saeng nim if you are the person's teacher.

Its not rude.



Right-oh. Good show, old man.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
shifty



Joined: 21 Jun 2004
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Adventurer wrote:
I've come a long way.


This means you're an adjoshie big time.

Don't stand on ceremony, just hold out palms and rake in the bucks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jvalmer



Joined: 06 Jun 2003
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Exact dictionary meaning is uncle & aunt. Colloquial meaning is Mr. and Mr. If you don't look like a university student or younger people will call you adjossi or adjumma.

One of your actual students shouldn't be calling you that, but isn't considered outright rude. You might be giving them the standard confusing statements foreigners give by saying call you by your name. When a Korean would say call them 'teacher' or 'professor'. So your students maybe confused.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
TheUrbanMyth



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
My students call me Mr. "Myth"

My colleagues also