I hope I'm not swearing...

[orbiter]

...but I came across "빌어먹을", and I'm confused about its multiple meanings and how it is used. 빌어먹다 actually means to beg & eat, as in "밥을 빌어먹다"? how did it become an expression of anger/frustration?

And just how "bad" is it?

I sure hope I didn't commit any forum "crime" by asking this.

[manyakumi]

I sure hope I didn't commit any forum "crime" by asking this.

lol. "별 걱정을 다..." ^^;

Basically, Yes.
It means 'beg and eat' and it works with '놈,녀석'
as like..

"빌어먹을 놈"
a guy who needs to beg to eat
= unblessed guy

You may consider it as "damn!" in English.
Sounds like "God damn you!"

Originally, "빌어먹다" means same as "동냥하다" or "구걸하다"
Hope this helps.




Sean.

[timandyou]

Thanks for bring the question up, orbiter...
Thanks for the quick response to the question, 김 감독님...
I do think that the explanation of Sean is very good to understand but (if Sean lets me) I'd like to add some of points.

1. The definition of 빌어먹다
Yes, it is a VERB meaning "to beg; as the result of begging, being able to eat"

2. The definition of 빌어먹을
Yes, this word came from 빌어먹다. However, 빌어먹을 is an ADVERB meaning "Gosh, Shit, Dame it"

3. The other usage of 빌어먹을 - as an ADJECTIVE
As Sean mentioned above, if it is used with nouns such as 놈, 녀석 (for examples, 빌어먹을 놈 or 빌어먹을 녀석), it is used as an adjective describing the following noun. When you say "빌어먹을 놈" or "빌어먹을 녀석", it indicates that you are extremely mad at the 놈 or 녀석.

4. The synonym of 빌어먹을 - 제기랄
Both words, 제기랄 and 빌어먹을, are slang terms so please be careful with those words when to use them.

5. Some example sentences of 빌어먹을
a. 나 돈을 잃어버렸어, 빌어먹을 (제기랄)... "I lost my wallet, shit..."
b. 길을 걷고 있는데 갑자기 누군가한테 맞았어, 빌어먹을(제기랄)... "I just got beaten by someone (without any reason) while walking along, dame it!"
c. 아, 빌어먹을!!! 누가 내 주스를 마신거야!? "Oh no, shit! who drank my juice!??"

Just keep in mind this please!
This 빌어먹을 (or 제기랄) is a slang term, it's okay to use it to yourself but never to others.
I hope my explanation helps you understand the word better,
cheers,
Tim

감독님, 정말 감사드려요~~^^

[orbiter]

Hi Tim & Sean

Thank you for the comprehensive answers, I understand now!

[timandyou]

"Great to hear that, Orbiter!"
그리고 저도 감사드려요, 김 감독님...
cheers,
Tim

ps. 한국욕이 조금 재밌는 표현이 많지요? 참, "방가방가"라는 영화 보셨어요, 감독님?