큰일 [ Keunil ]
큰 is an adjective meaning ‘big‘, and 일, as a noun, means ‘job’, ‘task’ or ‘matter’.
ex)
철수가 이번에 큰일을 맡았습니다. (Cheolsu was given a big mission this time.)
A) 그녀가 금매달 땄어! (She won a gold medal!) B) 드디어 큰일을 해내는구나! (She finally became a huge success!)
However, 큰일 is usually used for ‘serious problems or troubles‘.
ex)
A) 나 또 시험치러 못갔어. (I missed the test again.) B) 큰일이네. (That’s serious.)
A) 그녀가 알아내면, 난 큰일이야. (If she finds it out, I will be in trouble.)
Also, if someone says ‘큰일’, it can be ‘number two’, referring that they have to use the bathroom. And 작은일 [ jageunil ] is for ‘number one’.
ex)
큰일 좀 보고 올게. (I have to do a ‘큰일.’ / I have to do ‘number two’.)
