I want to talk about this single-syllable Sino-Korean word: 기. It is quite difficult to translate this into a single English word, but if I had to explain it, 기 refers to mental or spiritual energy or inner vital force. Not about physical strength.
Here are a few common phrases with 기 that you’ll hear in K-dramas and real life.
- 왜 이렇게 기가 죽었어? 너 무슨 일 있어? (Why do you look so discouraged and down? Did something happen?)
- 애가 좀 뛸 수도 있지. 왜 우리 애 기 죽여요! (Kids can run around a bit! Why are you crushing my child’s spirit/confidence!)
Here, when 기 “dies” or someone “kills” the 기, it means someone’s confidence, spirit, or energy is suppressed, deflated, or prevented from shining outward.
- 아무리 기를 써도 너는 나한테 안 돼. (No matter how desperately hard you try, you’re no match for me.)
- 기를 쓰고 노력하면 안 되는 게 없습니다. (If you put every ounce of your energy and will into it, nothing is impossible.)
Now, 기 and the verb 쓰다 (to use) combined. 기를 쓰다 means putting all your energy, both physical and mental, into making something happen.
- 참나, 기가 차서 말이 안 나오네!
- 참나, 기가 막혀서 말이 안 나오네!
Literally, 차다 means “to be full” and 막히다 means “to be blocked.” To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how having your energy “full” or “blocked” evolved into these fixed phrases!
But in modern Korean, both 기가 차다 and 기가 막히다 express a mix of shock, disbelief, disapproval, and speechlessness.
I actually did a bit of research before filming, and it turns out that in Eastern philosophy, 기 is a profound philosophical term representing the fundamental vital energy that generates all things in the universe.