Korean word

깜짝

Pronunciation

Romanizationkkamjjak

Meaning

  • adverbstartled

Example

나는 깜짝 놀랐어.na neun kkam jjak nol la sseo

I was startled.

Illustration for 깜짝 (startled)

More examples

밤에 갑자기 불이 켜져서 모두가 깜짝 놀랐다.pa me kap jja gi pu ri kyeo jeo seo mo du ga kkam jjak nol lat tta

Everyone was startled when the lights suddenly came on at night.

Core concept

A brief burst of surprise when something unexpected happens.

Common phrases

  • 깜짝 놀라다kkam jjak nol la da

    be startled

  • 깜짝 놀라게 하다kkam jjak nol la ge ha da

    startle

Similar words

갑자기kapjjagi: An action or event happens suddenly, without warning.
갑작스럽게kapjjaksseureopkke: A change takes place abruptly rather than developing little by little.
문득mundeuk: A new thought suddenly comes to mind for no clear reason.

Definition in Korean

예상치 못한 일에 순간적으로 놀라는 상태나 그 반응을 가리키는 부사.ye sang chi mo tan i re sun gan jeo geu ro nol la neun sang tae na keu pa neung eul ka ri ki neun pu sa

Word origin

This native Korean expressive word was shaped to suggest the brief burst of surprise caused by something unexpected.

Usage tips

  • English often separates an unexpected event from the startled feeling it causes, while this word can highlight the quick surprise in casual speech.

Other meanings

  • with a startadverb
  • unexpectedlyadverb

Opposites

  • 태연하게taeyeonhagecalmlyadverb
  • 무덤덤하게mudeomdeomhageindifferentlyadverb

Related words

  • 깜짝놀람kkamjjangnollamstartlenoun
  • 깜짝파티kkamjjakpatisurprise partynoun

Word lists with this word