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This blog post explores the meaning and usage of the Korean idiomatic phrase 애를 먹다 meaning in English and its cultural implications. Meaning of 애를 먹다 in English is a vivid expression that captures the experience of struggling, facing challenges, or dealing with tough situations. We’ll uncover its layers of meaning and provide practical examples to help you incorporate 애를 먹다 naturally into your Korean conversations.
애를 먹다 Meaning in English
At its core, 애를 먹다 means “to have a hard time” or “to struggle with something.”
However, when combined, it doesn’t mean “to eat effort” literally. Instead, it conveys a figurative meaning of experiencing difficulty, frustration, or stress.
In English, it can be interpreted as:
- “To go through a tough time.”
- “To have a hard time.”
- “To deal with trouble.”
This expression, 애를 먹다 meaning in English is widely used in everyday Korean conversations to describe situations where someone has had to overcome difficulties, often with a sense of exasperation or fatigue.
Example sentences with 애를 먹다 meaning in English
- (Struggling with technology)
- Korean: 컴퓨터가 자꾸 고장 나서 애를 먹었어요.
- English: I struggled because my computer kept breaking down.
- Breakdown: 컴퓨터 (computer) 가 (subject marker) 자꾸 (repeatedly) 고장 나서 (breaking down, reason) 애를 먹었어요 (had a hard time).
- (Dealing with a challenging child)
- Korean: 아이가 말을 안 들어서 애를 먹었어요.
- English: I had a hard time because my child didn’t listen to me.
- Breakdown: 아이 (child) 가 (subject marker) 말을 안 들어서 (didn’t listen, reason) 애를 먹었어요 (had a hard time).
- (Facing unexpected difficulties)
- Korean: 여행 중에 길을 잃어서 애를 먹었어요.
- English: I went through a tough time because I got lost during the trip.
- Breakdown: 여행 (trip) 중에 (during) 길 (road) 을 (object marker) 잃어서 (lost, reason) 애를 먹었어요 (had a hard time).
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Conclusion
Understanding 애를 먹다 meaning in English gives you a glimpse into Korean culture’s emphasis on resilience and effort in the face of challenges. Its vivid imagery and versatile usage make it a powerful tool for expressing struggles in daily life.
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