Korean word

부끄러움

Pronunciation

Romanizationpukkeureoum

Meaning

  • nounembarrassment

Example

시험에서 틀려서 부끄러움을 느꼈다.si heo me seo teul lyeo seo pu kkeu reo u meul neu kkyeot tta

I felt embarrassed because I got an answer wrong on the test.

Illustration for 부끄러움 (embarrassment)

More examples

첫 데이트에서 부끄러움을 이기지 못했다.cheot te i teu e seo pu kkeu reo u meul i gi ji mo taet tta

I couldn't overcome my embarrassment on my first date.

Core concept

A self-conscious feeling that makes someone uncomfortable under other people's attention and less willing to step forward.

Common phrases

  • 부끄러움을 느끼다pu kkeu reo u meul neu kki da

    feel embarrassment

  • 부끄러움을 참다pu kkeu reo u meul cham tta

    suppress embarrassment

  • 부끄러움을 이기다pu kkeu reo u meul i gi da

    overcome embarrassment

Similar words

창피함changpiham: An embarrassed feeling after a public mistake or being seen in an embarrassing situation.
쑥스러움ssuksseureoum: A shy, bashful feeling that makes open words or actions feel difficult.
민망함minmangham: An uneasy feeling when attention makes a situation socially awkward.
수치심suchisim: A painful sense of shame about behavior or circumstances judged dishonorable.

Definition in Korean

타인의 시선 때문에 마음이 불편하고 나서기를 꺼리는 감정 상태ta i nui si seon ttae mu ne ma eu mi pul pyeon ha go na seo gi reul kkeo ri neun kam jeong sang tae

Word origin

The noun is formed from the adjective stem for feeling embarrassed and the nominalizing suffix 움 (um, "nominalizing suffix"), which turns the feeling into a noun.

Usage tips

  • English shame often suggests guilt or wrongdoing, while this Korean noun commonly covers the milder discomfort of being noticed or making a small mistake.

Other meanings

  • bashfulnessnoun
  • shynessnoun
  • shamenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word