-랍시고
Claiming to Be, Under the Pretense of
-랍시고 is used to sarcastically describe an action done under the pretense of being a certain role or status, implying the result was poor or inappropriate.
How It Works
-랍시고 is a contraction of the phrase '-라고 하시고'. Let's break it down:
- -(이)라고 하다: The indirect quotation form for nouns, meaning 'to say that it is (a noun)'. See -라고 (with 이다).
- -시-: The honorific marker, used here sarcastically.
- -고: The connective particle meaning 'and then'.
So, '의사라고 하시고' literally means 'saying he is a doctor, and then...'. This structure is contracted to '의사랍시고' and carries a strong sense of sarcasm or disapproval.
Usage Rules:
1. Attach -랍시고 to nouns ending in a vowel (e.g., 의사 + 랍시고 → 의사랍시고).
2. Attach -이랍시고 to nouns ending in a consonant (e.g., 선물 + 이랍시고 → 선물이랍시고).
3. The clause that follows -랍시고 almost always describes a negative, disappointing, or ridiculous outcome.
4. It is most often used to criticize a third person, but can also be used in a self-deprecating way to criticize one's own actions.
For example, if someone claims to be a 'chef' (요리사) but makes terrible food, you could say: "요리사랍시고 만든 음식이 이게 뭐야?" (Claiming to be a chef, what is this food you made?). The pattern highlights the mismatch between the claimed status and the actual result.
Examples (4)
- 전문가랍시고 와서는 아무것도 해결하지 못했다.
He came claiming to be an expert, but couldn't solve anything.
Word by Word: Claiming to be an expert and came, couldn't solve anything.
The person's claimed status ('expert') is contrasted with their actual incompetence (couldn't solve anything).
- 이게 선물이랍시고 준 건데, 포장도 안 되어 있었다.
This is what they gave me, claiming it's a gift, but it wasn't even wrapped.
Word by Word: This, claiming to be a gift, is what they gave, but it wasn't even packaged.
The speaker is criticizing the 'gift' because it doesn't meet the basic expectations of a gift (like being wrapped).
- 내가 선배랍시고 충고를 했는데 오히려 사이만 어색해졌다.
I gave advice, claiming to be the senior colleague, but it just made our relationship awkward.
Word by Word: I, claiming to be a senior, gave advice but rather only the relationship became awkward.
This is a self-deprecating use. The speaker criticizes their own action, which was done under the pretense of their senior status but had a negative outcome.
- 애들 교육이랍시고 하는 게 고작 소리 지르는 것뿐이다.
The only thing they do, under the pretense of 'educating the kids', is just yelling.
Word by Word: Claiming to be kids' education, the thing they do is only yelling.
The speaker is criticizing the parents' method, implying that yelling is not a proper form of 'education'.
Common Mistakes
Using -랍시고 for positive or neutral outcomes.
Not Quite그는 요리사랍시고 아주 맛있는 파스타를 만들어 주었다.Better그는 요리사랍시고 만든 파스타가 너무 짰다.-랍시고 has an inherently negative and sarcastic nuance. It cannot be used when the action meets or exceeds expectations. The incorrect sentence is unnatural because the outcome ('made very delicious pasta') is positive. The correct sentence works because the outcome ('the pasta was too salty') is negative, fitting the critical tone of the pattern.
Learn This First
To express false pretense 'claiming to be', you need verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -는답시고Claiming to, Pretending to
This is the verb/adjective equivalent of -랍시고. While -랍시고 attaches to nouns (e.g., 의사랍시고 - claiming to be a doctor), -는답시고 attaches to verb stems (e.g., 돕는답시고 - claiming to be helping) to express the same sarcastic criticism of an action.
- -(이)라고Say That (With 이다)
-랍시고 is a contraction of '-라고 하시고'. Understanding the indirect quotation pattern -라고 하다 helps clarify the origin and meaning of -랍시고, which is 'saying that one is [Noun], and then...'.
- -ㄴ/는 척하다Pretend to
Both patterns involve pretense, but -는 척하다 means 'to pretend to do an action' (e.g., 자는 척하다 - to pretend to be sleeping). In contrast, -랍시고 is about claiming a status or role (a noun) to justify an action that turns out poorly.
- -답다Like, Befitting
-답다 means 'to be like' or 'befitting of' a noun (e.g., 학생답다 - to be like a student). It's the opposite of -랍시고 in nuance. -답다 expresses that someone's actions are appropriate for their role, while -랍시고 expresses that their actions are inappropriate for their claimed role.