Bad Moods
1. 심술 부리다 (심술: 心術)
Hanja:
心 (심): heart, mind
術 (술): technique, method, art, trick
Explanation: 心術 (심술) literally means “mental technique” or “heart trick,” but in Korean usage, it evolved to mean malice, ill will, or spite — i.e., a "twisted" or "scheming" mindset. When you say someone is 심술을 부리다, you're saying they're acting out of spite or jealousy — showing negative, petty emotions through actions.
Example:
아이가 동생을 질투해서 심술을 부렸다. → “The child acted out of jealousy toward their younger sibling.”
2. 심기가 불편하다 (심기: 心氣)
Hanja:
心 (심): heart, mind
氣 (기): energy, mood, spirit
Explanation:
心氣 (심기) refers to one’s mental state or mood — literally "heart-energy" or "emotional atmosphere."
So 심기가 불편하다 literally means “the heart/spirit energy is uncomfortable”, figuratively describing someone who is irritated, annoyed, or upset — though it’s often used politely or euphemistically.
Example:
상사의 심기가 불편해 보여서 분위기가 안 좋았다. → “The boss seemed irritated, and the mood was tense.”
3. 성깔 있다 / 승깔 있다 (성깔: from 性)
Hanja:
性 (성): nature, character, temperament
Explanation:
성깔 is a colloquial or dialectal word derived from 성질 (性質), where:
性 (성) = character or temperament
質 (질) = quality or nature
성질 = temperament/nature → 성깔 is a more casual, punchy form, often used to describe a fiery, assertive, or strong-willed personality.
The variant 승깔 is a pronunciation difference in some regional dialects.
Example:
그 사람은 성깔이 있어서 말싸움하면 절대 안 져. → “That person has a fiery temper — they never lose an argument.”
