Korean word

두리번거리다

Pronunciation

Romanizationturibeongeorida

Meaning

  • verblook around

Example

길에서 두리번거리는 사람이 이상했어.ki re seo tu ri beon geo ri neun sa ra mi i sang hae sseo

The person looking around on the street was strange.

Illustration for 두리번거리다 (look around)

More examples

지하철에서 주위를 두리번거리던 사람이 눈에 띄었어.chi ha cheo re seo chu wi reul tu ri beon geo ri deon sa ra mi nu ne tti eo sseo

The person looking around on the subway stood out.

Core concept

A person repeatedly turns their eyes in different directions to take in the surrounding area.

Common phrases

  • 주위를 두리번거리다chu wi reul tu ri beon geo ri da

    look around

  • 두리번거리며 걷다tu ri beon geo ri myeo keot tta

    walk while looking around

Similar words

둘러보다tulleoboda: To take in the overall view of a place by looking around it.
살펴보다salpyeoboda: To inspect something closely so that details and possible problems become clear.
흘긋보다heulgeutppoda: To give something a quick, passing glance.

Definition in Korean

주변을 여러 방향으로 자꾸 살피며 이리저리 눈을 돌리는 동사.chu byeo neul yeo reo pang hyang eu ro cha kku sal pi myeo i ri jeo ri nu neul tol li neun tong sa

Word origin

두리번 (duribeon, "a darting gaze") combines with 거리다 (georida, "repeated action") to describe a repeated, searching movement of the eyes.

Usage tips

  • Unlike a quick glance, this verb highlights repeated scanning, so it often helps describe someone who seems alert or unsure in a new place.

Opposites

Related words

  • 두리번거림turibeongeorimlooking aroundnoun

Word lists with this word