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(으)ㄹ락 말락

 
1.

Close to happening

About to, almost, this close to
Expresses that an action is about to happen or really close to occurring with no indication of it actually happening or not.
Example
  • 비가 올락 말락 하는 날씨가 제일 싫거든요.
    I hate it when it seems like it will rain.
  • 남편이 설득될락 말락 해서 조금 기다려줘.
    My husband is this close to being persuaded so just wait a bit more.
  • 요즘은 눈이 너무 올랑 말랑 하네요.
    It seems like it will snow any minute now.
Related to

Usage

The clause after -을락 말락 is mostly just the verb 하다, however in some situations you can see another clause or the verb being simply omitted.

Spacing

Though not approved as standard, some may write the grammar point unspaced as -을락말락 and even put 하다 directly after it without space as well.

Alternative forms

Sometimes, some speakers may mistakenly pronounce or write this grammar point as -을랑 말랑 (with or without space) as seen in example 3.


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