Korean word

갈팡질팡하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationkalpangjilpanghada

Meaning

  • verbbe confused

Example

선생님 질문에 학생들이 갈팡질팡했어요.seon saeng nim chil mu ne hak ssaeng deu ri kal pang jil pang hae sseo yo

The students were confused by the teacher's question.

Illustration for 갈팡질팡하다 (be confused)

More examples

길을 잃어서 우리는 한참 갈팡질팡했다.ki reul i reo seo u ri neun han cham kal pang jil pang haet tta

After getting lost, we were confused for quite a while.

Core concept

Thoughts and actions keep wavering as someone searches for a decision.

Common phrases

  • 갈팡질팡하게 행동하다kal pang jil pang ha ge haeng dong ha da

    act confusedly

  • 갈팡질팡해 보이다kal pang jil pang hae po i da

    appear confused

Similar words

당황하다tanghwanghada: To lose composure and struggle to respond when something unexpected happens.
망설이다mangseorida: To pause before acting or deciding without committing right away.
허둥지둥하다heodungjidunghada: To rush around in confusion with unsteady, careless movements.

Definition in Korean

어찌할 바를 몰라 갈피를 잡지 못하고 자꾸 머뭇거리며 행동이 흔들리는 상태를 가리킨다.eo jji hal ppa reul mol la kal pi reul chap jji mo ta go cha kku meo mut kkeo ri myeo haeng dong i heun deul li neun sang tae reul ka ri kin da

Word origin

Its paired, echoing sound patterns suggest back-and-forth instability, creating a memorable expression for unsettled behavior.

Usage tips

  • This word is useful when confusion appears as repeated hesitation rather than simply not understanding something.

Other meanings

  • be flusteredverb
  • hesitateverb

Opposites

  • 마음을 가다듬다maeumeul kadadeumttacompose oneselfverb

Related words

  • 갈팡질팡거리다kalpangjilpanggeoridaditherverb

Word lists with this word