Here's something to ponder...

When do you use that word? When should you use that word? Who does it apply to? Are only KOREANs ajushee's? Why do men appear offended sometimes?

First off, use that term as little as possible!

My theory from years of observation:
The word "ajushee" is closely defined in English as "mister".
It is a 'base rank' title for a male who is married, with children.
It applies to any male human; not just Koreans.

However, it is, in some way, a title that 'depreciates' a male. And, it most certainly does NOT mean "Sir". You call a man an ajushee if he looks 25-60 years old, but he has to appear or be a blue collar worker (custodians, guards, laborer, etc.). So, in a general sense...a man who appears to be in a lower social status. That is when you call a guy an Ajushee, and chances are he won't really care because he is so used to hearing it. But how do you actually know if the person is in a low social status? You can't really...that is why I say use it as little as possible.

Okay, this thread is getting too long... let me sum it up with some VERY useful tips. Live by these rules (trust me):

1. Call any man older than you by at least a decade or more: Sun-Saeng-Nim. It means teacher, doctor, professor.....closest to the term "Sir".
2. Call store/restaurant owners: Sajang-Nim....close to the term "General Manager" or "President (CEO)"
3. A stranger guy who appears around your age: Chuh-Gi-Yo.......like "excuse me". To a complete stranger, the "Hey, man!" approach does not work in this culture....they'll flat out give you the "Do I know you?!" look.
4. A (elder) guy you are acquainted with and really respect: Hyung-Nim (formal way of saying elder brother)
5. A (elder) guy you know well and respect: Hyung (older bro)
6. A guy who appears to be over 60 or someone's grandfather: Uh-Roo-Shin (forgot what it meant, but it's an honorable term)

I guarantee you'll put a few smiles on the faces of the "ajushee's" out there with these tips.

Well first i have never said that term you are saying?? I say (and this is in american spelling) "Ah-Da-Shee" for any Korean that is appears not to be an Elder. For Korean woman i say "Ah-ga-shee"

And for the WOMAN who are HOTTTT i say "in american spelling"

E-Pa-yo or E-pa-do ='s VERY BEAUTIFUL!!

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CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

A-HA! I see you are among the those who pronounce that word as Ah-Da-Shee. Yeah, I hear that all the time. The correct pronounciation is AH-Jeo-Shee.

The Korean woman term "Ah-Ga-Shee" you mentioned is the correct term to address a young, unmarried woman (and also married women take it as a compliment, too). But that is usually said by a man or woman old enough to be the girl's aunt or uncle.

Try adding "Ah-Ju" or "Neo-Mu" in front of "E-peo-yo" (pretty)...those two words in front mean "very" and "extremely". For "beautiful", try "Ah-Room-Da-Weo-Yo"...little more sophisticated and will impress the ladies.

Well, I am in no way a Korean translator, i get the words i say from my American/Korean born Crewmembers. That works for them?? And it makes my time here in Korea a little easier. And a little more fun!!

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CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

Listen to eddiev9. He is correct in all he said here!
Most foreigners incorrectly say "Ah-Da-Shee" for the word eddiev9 correctly Romanized for us, "Ajushee".
I welcome him and his expertise to our humble forum!
To Koreans, the proper words of respect are extremely important, and if we use their language, it is best to know well the guidelines eddiev9 has given here.
Obviously I will call him "Hyung Nim" for now! (Unless he admits to being over 75, at which time I will readily and respectfully revert to "Sun Saeng Nim".
I do not fault anyone for attempting to speak Korean! Please do. I think it is a wonderful way to improve one's relations here. Asking a native speaker the correct pronunciation is a sign that you really care, and will gain respect and friendship that will go a long way toward cementing relationships.

I am in no way implying the eddie is wrong. Just when you talk to another Korean and he say's, yes what you are saying is correct? What are you to do?

The Picture with me and the 6 woman, i was with 2 Korean born friends that worked at KAL and they taught me E-pa-do. I'm not saying eddie is correct or wrong, but with this situation???

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CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

To Me, Ajushee means, I am going to get driven around for 20 minutes on a 5 minute cab ride then hear " UHHHH I New Today, You show?" which is a blatant Lie cuz I have ridden in your cab about 5 times in the last week and you are trying to rip me off, Look Man, I'm not drunk @ 7:30 in the morning when I am going to work, so your scam to rip off the drunks isn't going to work during the day... in which afterwards i am going to hear "UHHHH No Changee" when I try to give you a $20 bill as payment cuz I just hit up the ATM at the Main Gate before I got in your Death trap cab that smells like shit, booze, puke, garlic and kimchee. but miraculously when I tell you " oh well, I guess this one's free." you pull a wad of bills out of your little black bag that is about as big around as a coffee can.. and do I get a 10 or 5 dollar bill from you in my change? NO! I get 18 ones!, and after that you have the audacity to think I am going to give you a tip?.... That is if you even stopped to pick me up in the first place, after I have called the dispatcher like 4 times for a cab from main gate. so to me Ajushee means scam artist and swindler, and AAFES stands for

A Ajushee
A Always
F Find
E Excuse
to
S Steal

1. (for hguardsman): Good story! And I know it is true. Been there, done that! At the end you almost spelled AAFEES, which is the cab you should have been riding in! Enjoyed it!

2. (for chucksnee): "Just when you talk to another Korean and he say's, yes what you are saying is correct? What are you to do? "
The subject of what a Korean means when he/she says "YES!" cannot possibly be covered thoroughly in this blurb. I will give you a rough idea...in the context of your question.
"YES!" means: (a) I understand you, and thats good enough.
(b) close enough for a foreigner.
(c) I like you, but I don't have the time or patience it takes to train
your Western tongue the nuances of Korean pronunciation.
(d) I was taught to pronounce it that way, and I can't be wrong.
(e) I can't write it in English well enough to get you to pronounce it
properly, and rather than be embarrassed, I'll say "Yes!"
(f) I am your friend, and to prevent embarrasssment to EITHER OF US,
I'll just say "YES!"
Saying "YES" is the easy way out for ANY Korean in ANY situation that could lead to the embarrassment of either party, and is resorted to frequently every day. It is a way of saving FACE for all parties. "Face" is so important in Oriental Societies that it can end in suicide. Something that deserves more explanation than you want from me at this time. How to pronounce properly, avoid embarrassment and gain admiration of all your friends? Learn to read Hangul. Most can do it in two weeks!

This is an excellent post! Eddie you are a great addition to this forum.

I was corrected by my Korean friend that Ah-Da-Shee is incorrect and it is closer to Ah-Ja-Shee. In some cases, I think Koreans dislike when Americans use the phrase. I remember a Stars and Stripes article a few months back talking about this very subject!

I think Koreans dislike Americans using the word for several reasons. First, this is the only word some Americans know and they use it exclusively for taxi drivers. This is especially true for TDY folks. Second, drunk Americans scream it out like it is going out of style. "Ah Da Shee! I need to go to the front gate." By screaming it out and saying it wrong, the Korean taxi drivers must cringe.

This is a good subject and I appreciate the great explanations!

Mike

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It's nice to see my "Ajushee" thread got some cool responses and reactions. When I find the time, I'm going to post the ultimate, forbidden word that women hate/fear most: "AH-JUM-MAH!"