Idioms : 김칫국 마시다
There is a common phrase '김칫국 마시다[gim-chi-kkuk-ma-si-da, -chid-/.' in Korea, which means 'counting one's chickens before they hatch.'. It can be used at something good news or circumstances. Originally it comes from the old saying, '떡 줄 사람을 생각도 안 하는데 김칫국부터 마신다.", means 'Someone doesn’t even think about giving you a rice cake, but you already have drunk Kimchi soup.'
An interesting fact is, when this saying was made, Kimchi soup was not red that we can easily imagine. It was more like 동치미(Dong-chi-mi, radish water kimchi), which helps digestion and prevent choking.
Nowadays, Koreans often omit the first chunk '떡 줄 사람은 생각도 않는데' and only use '김칫국부터 마신다' to describe the situation. Also, you can use it with modification.
🐸 면접 어땠어?
- how was the job interview?
😻 엄 잘 봤지! 내일 전화올 듯?
- My presentation was on point! They'll call me tomorrow for sure.
🐸 오~ 축하축하!!
- Wow! Congrats!
😻 회사갈 때 입을 옷 사야겠다.ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
- Now I should buy some clothes for the office. lol
🐸 김칫국 마시지 말고 일단 기다려 봐.
- Calm down. don't count your chicken so early.
July 28, 2020
