What is the best kind of 바람 (wind?) when you are in a hurry?

ANSWER: 선바람

The pure-Korean word for "wind" is 바람, but in the case of 선바람, the 바람 has a different meaning, one that suggests "not wearing the appropriate clothing," usually because one is in too much of a hurry to change. Consider the following example from my Korean-English dictionary:

그는 맨발 바람으로 뛰어나갔다.

"He ran out into the street barefoot."

맨발 is the pure Korean word for "barefoot," and 맨발로 can translate as "in one's bare feet." The difference between 맨발로 and 맨발 바람으로 is that 맨발 바람으로 implies more urgency and inappropriateness than 맨발로. If a person runs outside barefoot because that is how he or she wants to go outside, then 맨발로 can be used, but if a person runs outside barefoot in order to escape a burning house, for example, then 맨발 바람으로 is better because it suggests urgency and inappropriateness.

My Korean-English dictionary defines 선바람 as "(one's) present attire" or "the outfit one has on," and it defines 선바람으로 as "just as one is." My Korean-Korean dictionary defines 선바람 as "차리고 나선 그대로의 차림새," which essentially translates as "the outfit one is currently wearing." I have read that the 선 in 선바람 is a prefix that means "untrained," "unskilled," "immature," or "clumsy," so 선바람 could literally translate as "clumsy attire," which suggests inappropriate attire.

So, if you call a friend and invite her to a party you are at, but your friend says she is not dressed for it, you can tell her, 그냥 선바람으로 나와," which can translate as "Just come as you are."

From Dong-A's Prime Korean-English Dictionary

From Dong-A's Prime Korean-English Dictionary

From Dong-A's Prime Korean-English Dictionary