Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Newbie]

Nearly every Korean I have ever known has always said "let's take a rest" or "I need to take a rest" (not putting them down, I'm just saying) Always sounds funny to me and I tell them it should be "let's take a break" or "let's rest", "I need to rest" etc.

It's happened so many times now that I'm starting to think that perhaps I may be wrong (first time for everything). Can "rest" be used as a noun like they are doing? If so, where does this come from? England, Canada, US????

[Lizara]

I'm from Canada. I've heard it before.

[crazykiwi]

I've noticed it too, but I do think it maybe could be in a weird type of way, correct?? Im just saying that rest and breaking are technically the same thing, so it should be used the same. I think they hust use it to cover all bases. I think its probably used because they know no other way to say it, like we do. I myself have said "lets take a rest" when walking up a mountain? or maybe i said " f this, i'm not moving anymore, why oh why did you drag me up here!!!". Anyway, just reply "ok, lets"

[Qinella]

If you look up ���, ���� ���鼭, or other similar constructions of ���� ���� on Google, you'll a few million hits. That leads me to believe this is a common phrase in Korean (thanks to Mithridates for teaching me that little trick). Anyway, this phrase would translate to "take a rest".

I've noticed that there are several common Korean words and/or phrases that usually translate properly, but often sound awkward, at least to me.

* Have you ever heard someone say, "I got it," when you're explaining something to them? I hear it all the time, but it's something I would never say. "Yeah, just turn right at the 7-11 and walk three blocks." "Oh, I got it!" Sounds weird, right? �˾Ҿ�

* How about describing a person as comfortable? I see that a lot, but it makes no sense in English. I like having friends who are comfortable... huh? ������

* One that irks me is "promise". If I make an appointment or schedule a date with you, I don't consider it a promise. A promise implies an extreme commitment to follow through, whereas an appointment can be cancelled. This one is misused a lot. Let's make a promise for Thursday. Um, no, let's plan to meet Thursday, instead. ���

* My favorite over-used word is "delicious". That's something I rarely used to describe food prior to moving to Korea, but I hear it used almost every time when a Korean person wants to say that something tastes good. The first time I heard it here, actually, I laughed out loud because it was so weird. Someone described some kind of wine to me as "DELICIOUS!" I was so surprised! ���ִ�


Over-reliance upon dictionaries, proliferation of bad English lessons, and limited usage of vocabulary within Korean parlance are probably to blame, but I'm just guessing, really.

To answer the OP question, no, I don't think I'd normally ever say "take a rest". The mountain climbing scenario offered by crazykiwi is conceivable, but even then I'm not sure I'd say "take a", or even "rest". I'd probably say, "Let's sit down," or, "Let's stop for a minute."

Q.

[HapKi]

Don't ask me, I've been here too long.
All I know is that I'm han-some, gentle, have good wear concept, and when my students see me, they're funny.

[Qinella]

[HapKi]

[Hyeon Een]

[SuperHero]

I got it is perfectly natural to me.

[laogaiguk]

[The Hierophant]

"Take a rest, as a friend, as an old Memoria. Memoria. Memoria."

[Ya-ta Boy]

[mindmetoo]

Sounds fine to a Canadian.

[manlyboy]

Take a palace tour sometime. Just about every second spot the guide shows you used to be used as a "resting place". Makes me wonder how Joseon rulers ever got anything done.

[Zoidberg]

I was frequently told that I should buy many beautiful wear.