Korean word

민망하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationminmanghada

Meaning

  • adjectiveembarrassed

Example

약속 시간에 늦어서 친구들 앞에서 민망했다.yak ssok si ga ne neu seo seo chin gu deul a pe seo min mang haet tta

I felt embarrassed in front of my friends because I was late for our appointment.

Illustration for 민망하다 (embarrassed)

More examples

사진이 이상하게 찍혀서 SNS에 올라가자 민망했다.sa ji ni i sang ha ge jji kyeo seo SNS e ol la ga ja min mang haet tta

I felt embarrassed when the photo came out strange and was posted on social media.

Core concept

A small social mistake leaves a person feeling exposed, hot-faced, and uncomfortable.

Common phrases

  • 민망한 상황min mang han sang hwang

    embarrassing situation

  • 민망한 질문min mang han chil mun

    embarrassing question

  • 민망한 자리min mang han cha ri

    awkward situation

Similar words

창피하다changpihada: Feeling strongly ashamed when a mistake or personal flaw is seen by others.
부끄럽다pukkeureoptta: Feeling shy or embarrassed enough to look away or speak less.
쑥스럽다ssuksseureoptta: Feeling bashful and unable to act naturally when receiving praise or attention.
어색하다eosaekada: Feeling that a social setting or interaction is not natural or easy.

Definition in Korean

사람들 앞에서 실수하거나 어색해서 얼굴이 뜨거워지거나 불편한 기분이 드는 상태sa ram deul a pe seo sil su ha geo na eo sae kae seo eol gu ri tteu geo wo ji geo na pul pyeon han ki bu ni teu neun sang tae

Word origin

민망하다 (minmanghada, "to feel embarrassed") is formed from 민망 (minmang, "embarrassment") and 하다 (hada, "to form a descriptive word"), so the word describes having an embarrassed feeling.

Usage tips

  • The word usually fits an innocent social mishap, not a serious moral failure or deep regret.

Other meanings

  • awkwardadjective
  • ashamedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 민망스러움minmangseureoumembarrassmentnoun

Word lists with this word