Monday, January 09, 2006

Language: 18... not so sweet after all

Alright, life supposedly starts at 18. So goes sayings like "Sweet 18"...

In Korea, I'd be careful saying the number 18 though. "18" is pronounced as Shib-pal (십팔). Guess what... the term "BITCH" (or to a certain extent "F**K"), is pronounced as Ssi-pal (씨팔).

"18" and "Bitch" sound identical!


Oh crap ~ How DO YOU tell someone it's 18th December...

Old ajumma: "What's the date today?"
Me: "Sib-pal (18)..."
*SCHLAAAAAAAAAP!

Then ~ You need 18 apples at the fruit stall...

Cute chick: "How many apples you need?" *Wink
Me: "Sib-pal (18)..."
*WHAAAAAAAAAAMM!


Just for laughs and giggles, check out this page on Korean slangs. Click 'HERE'.

Note though, that there are 2 numbering systems in the Korean language. Depending on the application, you would use pronounce "18" as Yeol-yeodeolb (열 여덟) instead of Sibpal (십팔). But that discussion will be for a later day/post.

18 isn't so sweet in Korea eh? *Evil grin

8 Comments:

At January 09, 2006 8:38 PM, Blogger A world that i've seen said...

hahaha...amused me...:)

 
At January 09, 2006 10:50 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whoa... Strange but true huh? But I really wonder does someone really mistaken you saying the word wrongly :p I would love to see you saying shib pal in the 2nd scenario... kakaka....

 
At January 10, 2006 8:01 AM, Blogger Kurios1978 said...

jo: Glad you had a laugh

m@ri: Please la... I haven't gotten a slap from flirting yet! :P

 
At January 10, 2006 10:46 AM, Blogger Felix :O) said...

hahaha!

 
At January 10, 2006 10:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Funny stuff...

For added effect, call someone an "18 baby". About the worst you can do!

 
At January 11, 2006 1:24 PM, Blogger Kurios1978 said...

felix: Funny eh?

louyau: Nah, not everyone can do English here. Even if they do, many are too shy to admit that they can...

g: I bet they wouldn't be too impressed. :P What in the world are you checking out blogs, you're on vacation!

hteekay: Ha ha.

 
At January 13, 2006 4:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

A joke for you all who understand Cantonese, my friend who speak little cantonese tried to order "Char Koay Teow" in KL and ended saying "Chao Kuo Tiu" in direct translation from Mandarin...

 
At February 11, 2006 10:28 AM, Blogger Max said...

I'm Rick James, 씨팔!

 

Post a Comment

<< Home