Korean word

꺼리다

Pronunciation

Romanizationkkeorida

Meaning

  • verbbe reluctant

Example

그는 다른 사람과 악수하는 것을 꺼렸다.keu neun ta reun sa ram gwa ak ssu ha neun keo seul kkeo ryeot tta

He was reluctant to shake hands with other people.

Illustration for 꺼리다 (be reluctant)

More examples

아이는 낯선 사람에게 말을 걸는 것을 꺼려했다.a i neun nat sseon sa ra me ge ma reul keol leun keo seul kkeo ryeo haet tta

The child was reluctant to talk to a stranger.

Core concept

Holding back from contact or an action because it feels uncomfortable.

Common phrases

  • 말하기를 꺼리다mal ha gi reul kkeo ri da

    be reluctant to speak

  • 사람 만나기를 꺼리다sa ram man na gi reul kkeo ri da

    be reluctant to meet people

  • 질문을 꺼리다chil mu neul kkeo ri da

    be reluctant to ask questions

Similar words

싫어하다sireohada: A clear negative feeling toward a person, thing, or action that makes it unwelcome.
피하다pihada: Deliberately staying away from an unwanted person, situation, place, or route.
망설이다mangseorida: A pause before acting while a decision is still unsettled.
거부하다keobuhada: A firm refusal to accept a request, offer, proposal, or set of terms.

Definition in Korean

불쾌감이나 불편함 때문에 사람이나 행동을 피하려는 태도나 상태를 가리키는 동사이다.pul kwae ga mi na pul pyeon ham ttae mu ne sa ra mi na haeng dong eul pi ha ryeo neun tae do na sang tae reul ka ri ki neun tong sa i da

Word origin

꺼리다 (kkeorida, "be reluctant") is a native Korean verb whose stem conveys reluctance toward an uncomfortable action or situation.

Usage tips

  • It usually signals inner discomfort or reluctance rather than a firm refusal, so it often sounds softer than saying no outright.

Other meanings

  • avoidverb
  • hesitateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 꺼림칙하다kkeorimchikadauneasyadjective
  • 꺼려하다kkeoryeohadabe reluctantverb

Word lists with this word