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Can’t Handle Alcohol? Koreans Call You 알쓰 or 술찌—It Depends on Your Age

💎 What you'll learn in this post

📌 Heads up before you read

 

Overnight Sensation Words Expressions for people who can't drink alcohol well

 
korean words in english

⚡ Frequency of use in general

★★★★☆

알쓰[al-sseu]
korean words in english

Lightweight, One-shot wonder

People who can't drink alcohol well


[al-sseu] is short for 알코올 쓰레기[al-ko-ol sseu-re-gi], which directly translates to 'alcohol garbage'. 😭😅


알코올[al-ko-ol]: Alcohol

✅ 쓰레기[sseu-re-gi]: Garbage, Trash, Waste


This playful term comes from the 2nd-generation K-pop girl group Girls' Generation. Member Taeyeon, who isn’t great at drinking, was jokingly nicknamed [al-sseu] by the other members. After being introduced on a variety show, it quickly gained popularity and is now commonly used in everyday conversations! 🎉

 

나래식 (Naresik)

Episode 10


⬇ Watch Taeyeon call herself [al-sseu] in this video ⬇

(English subtitles available)



술찌[sul-jji]
korean words in english

Lightweight, One-shot wonder

People who can't drink alcohol well


[Sul-jji] is short for 술 찌질이[sul jji-ji-ri]. Remember how 찌질이 (jji-ji-ri) is also used for people who can’t handle spicy food? If you don’t, check out the Related Posts below! 😊


 [sul]: Alcohol

✅ 찌질이[jji-ji-ri]: Loser, Weak


[Sul-jji] is a combination of [sul] (alcohol) and [jji-ji-ri], referring to someone who can’t handle alcohol well.

 

🎁 Essential insights into Korean culture


How [al-sseu] and [sul-jji] Usage Varies by Age Group

Based on Naver Trends,

Korea's largest portal site


🔞 Alcohol is for adults, so this data is based on adult searches 🔞


The red graph below represents 술찌[sul-jji], and the green graph represents 알쓰[al-sseu].


  • 20s to early 30s (↓)

    [sul-jji] is used more often.

korean words in english

  • Mid 30s (↓)

    The usage of [sul-jji] and [al-sseu] is about the same.

korean words in english

  • 40s and above (↓)

    [al-sseu] is used more.

korean words in english

💋

Try using the term that fits your age group!!

💋

 

💬 Real Korean Expressions in Conversation

korean words in english

👩🏻: But Narae Unnie, I've never been to Narae Bar!

언니 근데 나, 나래바에 한 번도 안 가봤어!


👧🏻: You said you wouldn't go!

네가 안 간다고 그랬잖아!


👩🏻: When did I say that! I don't really qualify to enter anyway.

내가 언제! 내가 사실 출입할 수 있는 조건이 되지는 못해~

Because I am a [al-sseu]~

왜나하면 알쓰잖아~


🧑🏻: But lots of [al-sseu]s go there!

근데 거기 알쓰 꽤 많이 와!

 

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