korean-dictionary-jeong-feature

K-Dictionary Vol.4: 정「情」—也許是韓國最難形容的詞

Jeong is a very hard word to describe. There is no English equivalent. It’s like putting ‘speechless’ and ‘beyond words’ in words. However, in Korea, jeong culture has been in so deeply rooted in people’s lives that it is almost impossible to talk about Koreans excluding that.

「情」(정)在韓國是個非常難形容的詞,沒一個英文詞語可以解釋,簡直可以說是「無言以對」。但「情」這種文化深植韓國人生活當中,更是話題間不可缺少的一部分。

The closest translation of jeong would be attachment and human affection. Situations like these fall under the category of a jeong-ful action.

真的要找個詞來形容的話,「依戀」和「人類情感」會較為貼切,任何情況只要與這相關都可以歸類為「情」。

Having to leave a place, people or object in which they have been deeply attached to. Koreans would use the word jeong to describe how they’ve become attached. For example, someone who has lived in a city and has to move somewhere else would describe that they’re feeling jeong towards the city, regardless of how good or bad the city’s impression was. Mixed feelings arouse, but mostly situations like this, the attachment – jeong – would sadden people a lot.

當要離開一個他們深愛或認為很重要的地方、一個人或是物件時,韓國人便會用「情」這個字去表達,例如當一個人要搬往其他地方,不論那個地方是好是壞,都會對那個地方有「情」的感覺,當中能延伸不同的情感,但這種情況大多都是會引伸令人傷心的事情。

In markets, especially traditional markets where haggling is common, sellers would give into customers asking for lower prices and hand out additional products. This would be called a jeong-ful action. For example, an apple seller who sells out five apples for a fixed price would be willing to be some jeong-ful if he or she gives out an additional apple for free on top of the five apples that the customer bought. Situations like these are happening less due to the domination of big conglomerates, but visit a traditional market and ask for additions – pretty sure the sellers would give out some more.

而在市場上,尤其是較為傳統的市場,討價還價是常見的事情,顧客會要求更低的價格,而賣家也通常會讓步,還會額外給予他們一些東西,而這類行為也會稱「情」,例如假若顧客願意以定價購買5個蘋果,果販也會願意送贈多一個給他們,不過這種情況甚少發生在現代市場,因為都受到大型企業支配,但在傳統市場你還是可以試試,小編也肯定他們會給你更多。

Lotte’s choco pie, easily seen around markets in the world, used an advertising strategy to add jeong to their products, even by launching a special line of products as ‘choco pie jeong’ and airing commercials that featured jeong-ful moments, such as teenagers helping old and weak elderly with their sweet potato street stand.

還有就是樂天的巧克力批,全世界也非常容易找到,他們利用市場策略為產品加入「情」的元素,更甚的是公司特意為此推出新的產品線並命名為「巧克力批情」,在廣告中加入了不少「情」的場口,例如年青人幫助在街頭賣甜薯的老人家。

Would you say your country has the jeong culture? If it is, let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear how it’s like in other countries.

你的地方又有沒有這種「情」的文化呢?快留言告訴我們吧!

TEXT: JISU J
CHINESE TRANSLATION: CHRIS Y
GRAPHICS: TONY W / HOKK FABRICA


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