쌤통

Korean

Etymology

Compare 심(心)통 (simtong, “disgruntled state of mind”).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ˈs͈ɛ(ː)mtʰo̞ŋ] ~ [ˈs͈e̞(ː)mtʰo̞ŋ]
• Phonetic hangul: [쌤(ː)통/쎔(ː)통]
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	ssaemtong
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	ssaemtong
McCune–Reischauer?	ssaemt'ong
Yale Romanization?	ssāymthong

Noun

쌤통 • (ssaemtong)

1. (idiomatic, of an unpleasant event) something that happens to someone who is thought to deserve it; something that serves someone right

   솔직히 쌤통이다. ― Soljikhi ssaemtong-ida. ― Honestly, he had it coming.