Korean word

살짝

Pronunciation

Romanizationsaljjak

Meaning

  • adverba little

Example

그거를 살짝 만져봐도 돼?keu geo reul sal jjak man jeo bwa do twae

Can I touch it just a little?

Illustration for 살짝 (a little)

More examples

문을 살짝 닫아 줘.mu neul sal jjak ta da chwo

Please close the door gently.

Core concept

A small, light action done briefly, often so subtly that others barely notice.

Common phrases

  • 살짝 만지다sal jjak man ji da

    touch gently

  • 살짝 들여다보다sal jjak teu ryeo da bo da

    peek secretly

  • 살짝 웃다sal jjak ut tta

    smile faintly

Similar words

조금chogeum: A small amount or degree used to make an expression sound mild.
슬쩍seuljjeok: A quick, discreet action done to avoid attracting attention.
살며시salmyeosi: A quiet, gentle movement made with little force.

Definition in Korean

행동이나 감각이 살짝 나타남을 나타내는 부사로, 양보다 동작의 가벼움과 순간성·은밀함을 강조한다.haeng dong i na kam ga gi sal jjak na ta na meul na ta nae neun pu sa ro yang bo da tong ja gui ka byeo um gwa sun gan seong eun mil ha meul kang jo han da

Word origin

The exact history is uncertain, but the word is considered a native Korean mimetic adverb for a small, light, fleeting action.

Usage tips

  • English often uses a little to describe quantity, while this adverb focuses on how lightly or briefly an action happens.

Other meanings

  • gentlyadverb
  • secretlyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 살짝살짝saljjakssaljjakgentlyadverb

Word lists with this word