Korean word

겁나다

Pronunciation

Romanizationkeomnada

Meaning

  • adjectivebe scared

Example

높은 곳을 보면 겁나요.no peun ko seul po myeon keom na yo

I get scared when I look at high places.

Illustration for 겁나다 (be scared)

More examples

혼자 어두운 방에 있으면 겁나는 일이 많다.hon ja eo du un pang e i sseu myeon keom na neun i ri man ta

When I am alone in a dark room, many things scare me.

Core concept

Fear suddenly rises inside a person and shows in the body or facial expression.

Common phrases

  • 겁나는 표정keom na neun pyo jeong

    frightened expression

  • 겁나는 꿈keom na neun kkum

    scary dream

  • 겁나는 경험keom na neun kyeong heom

    scary experience

Similar words

무섭다museoptta: A dangerous person, thing, or situation can cause strong fear.
두렵다turyeoptta: An uncertain outcome can bring fear and worry about what may happen.
소름끼치다soreumkkichida: Something eerie makes the skin prickle and brings on goosebumps.

Definition in Korean

무서움이나 두려움이 갑자기 마음에 일어나 몸이나 표정에 나타나는 상태를 이르는 말로, 보통 '겁이 나다' 형태로 쓰인다.mu seo u mi na tu ryeo u mi kap jja gi ma eu me i reo na mo mi na pyo jeong e na ta na neun sang tae reul i reu neun mal lo po tong keo bi na da hyeong tae ro sseu in da

Word origin

겁 (geom, "fear") + 나다 (nada, "come out") expresses fear that suddenly comes up in someone.

Usage tips

  • This describes the person who feels fear, while scary describes the thing that causes it.

Opposites

Related words

  • 겁keopfearnoun
  • 겁먹다keommeokttabe scaredverb
  • 겁쟁이keopjjaengicowardnoun

Word lists with this word