Core Pattern Rule: Dismissing with -고 자시고
This pattern is used to dismiss the noun it's attached to as unimportant, irrelevant, or not worth considering at the moment. It strongly implies that something else is far more urgent or important.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It translates to phrases like "Forget about [Noun]...", "Never mind [Noun]...", or "[Noun] or whatever...".
When to use: Use it when you're feeling impatient, frustrated, or need to emphasize a priority. For example, if you're late, eating is not the priority. If you're freezing, style is not the priority.
Formation
This pattern attaches directly to nouns.
Nouns ending in a consonant + -이고 자시고:
밥 (rice/meal) → 밥이고 자시고
돈 (money) → 돈이고 자시고
Nouns ending in a vowel + -고 자시고:
사과 (apology) → 사과고 자시고
회의 (meeting) → 회의고 자시고
밥이고 자시고 늦었어. / 고민이고 자시고 그냥 해. / 가격이고 자시고 일단 시켜.
Native Nuance: Tone of Dismissal
This pattern is not a neutral statement of priority; it's packed with emotion and a dismissive tone.
Emotional Weight
-고 자시고 carries a strong sense of impatience, frustration, or urgency. It's a way of saying, "Who has time to even think about that right now?" It's direct and can sound blunt or even aggressive depending on the context and tone of voice.
사과고 자시고 필요 없어. (I don't need an apology or whatever.) - This sounds much stronger and more dismissive than simply saying an apology isn't necessary.
The Role of 자시고
The word 자시고 has no independent meaning. It's a rhyming, slightly playful-sounding word that pairs with -고 to create this specific idiomatic expression. Think of it like English rhyming phrases such as "hocus pocus" or dismissive tags like "...or whatever." Its function is purely to add emphasis and a dismissive flavor.
When to Avoid
Because of its strong, informal, and potentially confrontational tone, avoid using this pattern in formal settings, with superiors, or when you need to be diplomatic. It's best reserved for situations where directness is appropriate.