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K-Dictionary Vol.05:你具備韓國社交生存技巧Noonchi(눈치) 嗎?

Although you might fantasize about working in Korea, surrounded by hot oppas and classy working ladies, after all, it all boils down to a noonchi(눈치) game, where you have to utilize your social skills at your best and learn how to take simple hints to act accordingly. All in all, noonchi is best translated to “reading between the lines.” Culturally unique to Korea, this whole noonchi culture is most prevalent at workplaces, but can apply to any interpersonal relationships. Here are some examples at different situations to help your understanding.

被韓國Oppa包圍,身邊的同事都是衣著優雅的女生──有否曾經幻想到韓國工作? 幻想總是美滿的,實際上韓國的工作環境很講求社交技巧,noonchi(눈치)可意譯為「弦外之音 」,專門用來形容那種八面玲瓏的社交技巧。在韓國的文化裡,noonchi普遍存在於工作環境,但亦同樣套用於普通的社交。以下這些情景和例子,能夠幫助你理解甚麼是noonchi。

At work

Photo via uplussme.com

Photo via uplussme.com

When you want to leave work on time but you have to keep an eye on other colleagues to see if they’re leaving or not, especially looking out on your direct team senior or manager to leave, since you want leave after they leave in order to give a good impression that you’re hardworking.

想準時放工,但又遲遲不走的心態就是noonchi之一。到了下班的時間,你會左望右望,看看身邊同事,尤其是上司,究竟離開了沒有。你會選擇等他們離開後自己才離開,以顯示自己辛勤的一面。

When you want to apply for your annual or maternity leave but you still want to uphold the reputation of a diligent worker, you might have to reschedule or forgo your leaves while skillfully using noonchi.

當你要申請年假或產假,但又與工作時間表相沖,你可能要不情願地重新編排假期,甚至放棄假期,以在同事面前保持勤勞的印象。

Among friends

Photo courtesy of Chum Churum Soju CF

Photo courtesy of Chum Churum Soju CF

When you want to go home early on a night out while all of your friends want you to stay out late, you might have to use some noonchi and leave at an appropriate time that your friends might be cool on, especially if someone older than you is there.

跟朋友外出的時候,當你想提早回家,但朋友(尤其是有長輩在場)又想你留下陪他們,你就要使用noonchi這種軟技巧,找一個適合但又不會令人掃興的黃金時刻離開。

When your friend tells others about your secret or weak points that you obviously don’t want others to know. Now, that friend lacks some serious noonchi.

當你的朋友向其他人透露了一些不可告人的秘密,又或者是你不願意讓人知道的弱點,明顯地,你的朋友缺乏了一點noonchi。

With family

Photo via google

Photo via google

When you want to go out late at night, but your parents might be trying to lock you in and ask you why you’re going out this late. In this case, use some noonchi and leave home without getting noticed by parents. Good luck!

當你想去夜蒲但知道父母有機會問長問短、不會批准你外出的時候,你就要用一點noonchi,偷偷出走。祝你好運呢!

Your parents might give you some eye stare, a.k.a., noonchi, if you belong in any of these situations: jobless, single, lack of ambition, gained weight, did poor on the exam, which all mean that you should do the opposite.

當你遇到以下這些情況:失業、單身、無理想、增磅、考試表現遜色等,父母就會給你一點眼色,亦即是noonchi,暗示你該做的不做。

In a relationship

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Guys, listen up. When your girlfriend says “that’s pretty,” it means she wants it. If you have some noonchi, it wouldn’t be that hard to figure out.

男生們,聽好了。當女朋友說「很漂亮啊!」的時候,意思是她很想要那東西。如果你自認有點noonchi的話,應該不難發現女朋友的弦外之音。

When you want to go out on a date, but your friend asks if she/he can join, a.k.a., thirdwheeling. That is what we call someone who doesn’t have noonchi. Just leave the couple in peace, please. It’s called date for a reason.

當你想和男生約會,但朋友又不識趣地嚷著要跟你一起去(即是做「電燈膽」),你的那位朋友就認真不夠noonchi了。讓二人好好相處吧,約會是兩個人的事呢。

 

Cover image courtesy of Misaeng

 

TEXT: JISU J
CHINESE TRANSLATION: FLORIELLE


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