Korean word

둔하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationtunhada

Meaning

  • adjectiveslow to catch on

Example

그는 농담에 둔해요.keu neun nong da me tun hae yo

He is slow to get jokes.

Illustration for 둔하다 (slow to catch on)

More examples

가끔 머리가 둔하다고 느낀다.ka kkeum meo ri ga tun ha da go neu kkin da

Sometimes I feel slow to catch on.

Core concept

Blunt mental or sensory awareness that does not quickly pick up subtle cues.

Common phrases

  • 눈치가 둔하다nun chi ga tun ha da

    slow to pick up on social cues

  • 머리가 둔하다meo ri ga tun ha da

    slow to catch on

Similar words

느리다neurida: Moving, speaking, or working at a low speed and taking extra time.
둔감하다tungamhada: Not easily sensing physical stimuli or noticing shifts in feelings.
무딘mudin: Having dull senses that miss fine differences or mild stimulation.
멍하다meonghada: Having a foggy, blank mind and reacting slowly to what is happening.

Definition in Korean

감각이나 이해력이 예리하지 못해 작은 변화나 농담에 반응이 둔하다.kam ga gi na i hae ryeo gi ye ri ha ji mo tae cha geun pyeon hwa na nong da me pa neung i tun ha da

Word origin

The word comes from a Sino-Korean root meaning blunt or dull, joined with 하다 (hada, "to do") to form a quality word.

Usage tips

  • English slow can suggest movement, but this word often describes how quickly someone notices meaning, humor, or a small change.

Opposites

  • 예민하다yeminhadasensitiveadjective

Related words

  • 둔감tungaminsensitivitynoun
  • 둔해지다tunhaejidabecome less sensitiveverb

Word lists with this word