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.'
![](https://images.verbling.com/convert/w_600/https%3A%2F%2Fverbling-user-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06930208628916213479%2Fd455d1da-3458-4200-a1d9-e46718d4fb16%2Frlacltrnr.png)
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.
![](https://images.verbling.com/convert/w_600/https%3A%2F%2Fverbling-user-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06930208628916213479%2F723da146-17e5-4af0-a4cb-1163b6e14627%2Fehdclal.jpg)
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.
2020년 7월 28일