Korean word

낯설다

Pronunciation

Romanizationnatsseolda

Meaning

  • adjectiveunfamiliar

Example

이 동네는 처음 와서 낯설어요.i tong ne neun cheo eum wa seo nat sseo reo yo

This neighborhood feels unfamiliar because it's my first time here.

Illustration for 낯설다 (unfamiliar)

More examples

새 직장 동료들이 아직 낯설어요.sae chik jjang tong nyo deu ri a jik nat sseo reo yo

The coworkers at my new workplace still feel unfamiliar.

Core concept

A new person or setting feels unfamiliar, leaving the mind slightly uneasy because it has not become familiar yet.

Common phrases

  • 처음이라 낯설어요cheo eu mi ra nat sseo reo yo

    unfamiliar because it is my first time

  • 분위기가 낯설어요pu nwi gi ga nat sseo reo yo

    an unfamiliar atmosphere

  • 사람들이 낯설어요sa ram deu ri nat sseo reo yo

    The people feel unfamiliar

Similar words

생소하다saengsohada: Being new and not well known because there has been little chance to encounter it.
어색하다eosaekada: Lacking natural ease in speech, movement, or a social situation and causing discomfort.
서먹하다seomeokada: Marked by a cool, reserved relationship in which people have not yet opened up to each other.

Definition in Korean

새로운 환경이나 사람·사물에 대해 아직 익숙하지 않아 마음이 불편하거나 어색하다고 느낄 때 쓰는 형용사.sae ro un hwan gyeong i na sa ram sa mu re tae hae a jik ik ssu ka ji a na ma eu mi pul pyeon ha geo na eo sae ka da go neu kkil ttae sseu neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The word combines a native Korean term for face or appearance with an older adjective meaning unfamiliar, linking an unfamiliar face to wider situations.

Usage tips

  • It describes a personal reaction, so a place can feel this way even when nothing is actually wrong with it.

Other meanings

  • strangeadjective
  • unaccustomedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 낯섦natsseomunfamiliaritynoun
  • 낯설어하다natsseoreohadafind unfamiliarverb

Word lists with this word