Korean Job Discussion Forums

dodgybarnet

Heya,

I'm editing an article on "hikikomori" - people who are recluses that never leave the house. You know - live in parent's basement only eating ramen and
only socialising through the Internet.

I know that this could also be used to describe many Dave's posters too! Laughing

Anyhow, the Japanese call this "hikikomori" but I'm possitive the Korean's have a word for it. I've Googled but failed.

Any ideas?

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

I plugged the Japanese word ひきこもり (hikikomori) into Naver, and only a long-winded description came up in the Japanese-Korean dictionary. The term was mentioned in a few blogs, though, and two terms came up: 은둔형 외톨이 and 주침야활 (晝寢夜活), the hanja on this second one mean "sleeps during the day, active at night). I have a hunch, though, that these are just translations used to discuss the Japanese concept and not words that are actually in common use.

This was a topic in one of my adult classes a while back. THe students all agreed that there were plenty of kids in Korea who could be described as hikikomori. The guy who got busted for spending 17 days straight in a PC bang without paying for it came up as an example. They didn't mention whether there was a Korean word for this or not, but I generally don't ask that kind of question in class.

I hope this helps.

doggyji · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:31 pm Post subject:

Yeah, the official Korean expression for hikikomori might be 은둔형 외톨이(lone hermit/recluse). 주침야활 describes their typical lifestyle. In everyday conversations, I think 폐인 is the most frequently spoken word for this type of people in general. Though it covers more people than just those who exactly fit in the definition of hikikomori. 폐인 usually refers to any person who's even lightly out of normal healthy lifestyle for a short time as well as some hardcore addicts who dwell in the darkness and never go out. 폐인 is often used in a light hearted way for name-calling.

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

dodgybarnet · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info guys - much appreciated. I'll hit my students with the translation and see what happens.

Cheers.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Now that that's been settled, who can tell us the Korean word for "bukkake"?

Hans Blix · Joined: 31 Mar 2005

while we're at it, what's the difference between an otaku and a hikikomori?

i've only been getting confused answers so far

doggyji · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:45 am Post subject:

mithridates · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:49 am Post subject:

There's also the verb 방콕(하다) you could use.

doggyji · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:55 am Post subject:

Hans Blix · Joined: 31 Mar 2005