Korean word

눅눅하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationnungnukada

Meaning

  • adjectivedamp

Example

장마철에는 방이 눅눅해요.chang ma cheo re neun pang i nung nu kae yo

During the rainy season, the room is damp.

Illustration for 눅눅하다 (damp)

More examples

빨래가 안 마르면 옷이 눅눅해져요.ppal lae ga an ma reu myeon o si nung nu kae jeo yo

If the laundry does not dry, the clothes become damp.

Core concept

Moisture has settled into a room or object, leaving it clammy and unpleasant rather than dry.

Common phrases

  • 빵이 눅눅하다ppang i nung nu ka da

    damp bread

  • 옷이 눅눅하다o si nung nu ka da

    damp clothes

  • 우산이 눅눅하다u sa ni nung nu ka da

    damp umbrella

Similar words

축축하다chukchukada: Wet to the touch because it contains a large amount of water.
습하다seupada: Moisture fills the air or surroundings, making them feel heavy and uncomfortable.
촉촉하다chokchokada: Moist in a gentle way that feels smooth, fresh, and comfortable.
꿉꿉하다kkupkkupada: Moist and unpleasant because of a stale or musty odor.

Definition in Korean

옷이나 신발, 음식 등이 습기를 머금어 축축하고 불쾌한 상태를 나타내는 형용사다.o si na sin bal eum sik teung i seup kki reul meo geu meo chuk chu ka go pul kwae han sang tae reul na ta nae neun hyeong yong sa da

Word origin

This is a native Korean formation with a repeated base that suggests lingering moisture and an adjectival ending.

Usage tips

  • Unlike humid, which usually describes air or weather, this word often describes a room or object that feels unpleasantly moisture-laden.

Other meanings

  • humidadjective
  • wetadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 눅눅함nungnukamdampnessnoun
  • 눅눅해지다nungnukaejidabecome dampverb

Word lists with this word