Dating & Relationships

Courting, coupling, and the language of love

소개

영국인들의 연애 방식은 어색하기로 유명하죠——그리고 그 어휘가 딱 그걸 반영해요. 전통적인 "courting(구애)"부터 현대의 "ghosting(잠수타기)"까지, 사랑의 언어는 우리가 어떻게 연애를 추구하고, 확보하고, 때로는 망치는지를 보여줘요.

연애 어휘는 앱과 변화하는 사회 규범과 함께 빠르게 진화했어요. "breadcrumbing(빵 부스러기 뿌리기=관심 있는 척만 하기)", "situationship(정의 안 된 애매한 관계)", "catching feelings(감정이 생기기)" 같은 표현은 이전 세대에는 단어가 없었던 관계의 역학을 묘사해요——그런 개념 자체가 없었으니까요.

이 챕터에서는 처음 끌림부터 쓰라린 이별까지, 전통적인 구애부터 현대의 훅업 문화까지, 연애 어휘의 전체 흐름을 다뤄요. 적극적으로 데이트 중이든 연애 대화를 이해하고 싶을 뿐이든, 이것들이 꼭 알아야 할 필수 용어예요.

테마

이 챕터의 모든 영어 슬랭 (79)

• Fancy Be attracted to, have romantic interest in (British).
• Pull Successfully attract someone romantically; kiss or hook up with (British).
• Fit Attractive, good-looking (British slang).
• Peng Attractive, beautiful, high quality (British youth slang).
• Snog Kiss passionately, make out (British).
• Cop off Hook up with, successfully attract someone (British).
• Graft Work hard to attract someone romantically (British dating slang).
• Mug off Disrespect, make a fool of, reject (British dating slang).
• Pied Rejected, turned down romantically (British slang).
• Bare fancy Really attracted to, like a lot (British youth slang).
• Well into Really interested in, attracted to (British slang).
• Chirpse Flirt with, chat up (British urban slang).
• Link up Meet up, especially for romantic purposes (British youth slang).
• Grafting Actively pursuing someone romantically with effort (British dating slang).
• Going steady In an exclusive relationship, dating seriously (traditional).
• Seeing someone In the early stages of dating, not yet official (British).
• Official In a committed, acknowledged relationship (modern dating).
• Exclusive Dating only each other, not seeing other people (modern dating).
• On-again off-again Relationship that repeatedly breaks up and reconciles.
• Taken Already in a relationship, not available (modern dating).
• Coupled up In a relationship, paired romantically (British).
• Missus Wife or girlfriend (British informal).
• Bird Girlfriend, woman (British informal).
• Fella Boyfriend, man, guy (British informal).
• Partner Significant other, gender-neutral term for romantic partner.
• Ghosting Cutting off all communication without explanation (modern dating).
• Breadcrumbing Sending occasional flirty messages without real intention (modern dating).
• Talking to In early communication stage before dating (modern dating).
• Benching Keeping someone as backup option without commitment (modern dating).
• Catfishing Using fake identity/photos online to deceive (online dating).
• DTF Down to f*ck, interested in casual sex (dating app acronym).
• Sliding into DMs Sending private message to initiate romantic contact (social media dating).
• Ick Sudden feeling of disgust or turn-off toward romantic interest.
• My type on paper Theoretically attractive but no chemistry (Love Island term).
• Dumped Ended relationship, broken up with (informal).
• Binned off Rejected, broken up with (British slang).
• Knocked back Rejected, turned down (British/Australian).
• Sacked off Rejected, abandoned, cancelled (British slang).
• Let down gently Reject kindly without being harsh (dating).
• Zombieing Returning after ghosting someone, coming back from the dead (modern dating).
• Slow fade Gradually reducing contact to end relationship without confrontation.
• It's not you, it's me Classic breakup line deflecting responsibility (cliché).
• Friendzoned Rejected romantically but offered friendship instead.
• Darling Beloved, dear one (term of endearment).
• Babe Romantic partner, attractive person (affectionate/admiring).
• Hun Honey, affectionate term (often female use).
• Beau Boyfriend, male admirer (slightly old-fashioned).
• Babes Affectionate term, often between female friends (British).
• Gorgeous Beautiful, attractive (also term of address).
• My dear Term of endearment, often older to younger (traditional).
• Lovey Darling, affectionate term (British).
• head over heels completely in love
• love at first sight instant romantic attraction
• puppy love youthful romantic infatuation
• on the rocks relationship in trouble
• get cold feet become nervous about commitment
• pop the question propose marriage
• tie the knot get married
• old flame former romantic partner
• carry a torch for love someone unrequitedly
• match made in heaven perfect romantic pairing
• wear your heart on your sleeve openly show emotions
• playing hard to get pretending to be uninterested
• swept off your feet overwhelmed by romantic attention
• lovey-dovey excessively affectionate
• besotted foolishly infatuated
• lovebirds affectionate couple
• better half spouse or partner
• other half romantic partner
• significant other romantic partner
• split up end a relationship
• on a break temporarily separated
• rebound relationship started after breakup
• it's complicated relationship status is unclear
• the one ideal romantic partner
• keeper partner worth keeping
• out of your league too attractive or successful for you
• friend zone categorised as friend not romantic prospect
• love triangle three people in romantic conflict