고소하다

It's nutty or It serves them right?

Translation of "고소하다" and Its Nuances in English

The Korean word "고소하다" is challenging to translate directly into English because it carries several nuanced meanings depending on the context. Below, I'll explain the two primary meanings of "고소하다" and provide examples for each.

1. Taste-related Meaning of "고소하다":

• Definition: "고소하다" describes a nutty, savory, or slightly roasted flavor, often associated with foods like sesame oil, nuts, roasted grains, or seeds.

• Closest English Translation:

  • "Nutty" or "savory" are the closest English words that capture this flavor profile.

• Examples:

  1. "이 참기름은 정말 고소해요."
     (This sesame oil is really nutty.)

  2. "깨를 뿌리니 음식이 더 고소해졌어요."
     (The food became more nutty after sprinkling sesame seeds.)

  3. "갓 구운 땅콩은 고소한 맛이 일품이에요."
     (Freshly roasted peanuts have an excellent nutty flavor.)

  4. "이 쿠키는 고소한 맛이 가득해요."
     (These cookies are full of a nutty flavor.)

  5. "이 빵은 참 고소하네요."
     (This bread has a really nutty/savory flavor.)
     

2. Emotional or Situational Use of "고소하다":

• Definition: "고소하다" is also used to describe the feeling of satisfaction or schadenfreude when someone you dislike experiences something negative or gets what they deserve. It's akin to feeling that justice has been served, often with a hint of vindictive pleasure.

• Closest English Translation:

  • There is no exact single-word translation, but it can be closely described as "serves them right" or "schadenfreude," a German term often used in English to describe taking pleasure in someone else's misfortune.

• Examples:

  1. "그가 거짓말하다가 들통나서 정말 고소해."
     (I feel satisfied that he got caught lying; serves him right.)

  2. "자신을 괴롭히던 친구가 혼나는 걸 보니 고소한 기분이 들어요."
     (I feel a sense of satisfaction seeing the friend who bullied me get scolded.)

  3. "회사에서 문제를 일으키던 직원이 해고되었다니 고소하다."
     (It serves them right that the troublesome employee was fired.)

  4. "그 사람이 나에게 했던 일을 생각하면, 지금 당하는 걸 보니 고소하네."
     (When I think of what they did to me, it’s satisfying to see them suffer now.)

  5. "그 사람이 해고당했다니 정말 고소하다."
     (I feel a sense of satisfaction that they got fired; serves them right.)

Summary:

• Taste-related: "Nutty" or "savory" is the best translation for the flavor aspect of "고소하다."

• Emotion-related: "Serves them right" or "schadenfreude" captures the feeling when using "고소하다" in the context of someone’s misfortune.