Korean word

소극적

Pronunciation

Romanizationsogeukjjeok

Meaning

  • adjectivepassive

Example

아이들은 변화에 소극적이다.a i deu reun pyeon hwa e so geuk jjeo gi da

The children are hesitant about change.

Illustration for 소극적 (passive)

More examples

면접에서 그는 소극적이었다.myeon jeo be seo keu neun so geuk jjeo gi eot tta

He was passive in the interview.

Core concept

Holding back instead of stepping forward in speech or action.

Common phrases

  • 소극적인 태도so geuk jjeo gin tae do

    passive attitude

  • 소극적인 반응so geuk jjeo gin pa neung

    passive reaction

  • 소극적인 행동so geuk jjeo gin haeng dong

    passive behavior

Similar words

수동적sudongjeok: Letting outside instructions or events guide actions instead of acting independently.
소심한sosimhan: Being timid and overcautious, with a tendency to hesitate before speaking or acting.
내성적naeseongjeok: Having a quiet, inward-looking personality that avoids much talk in groups.
수줍다sujuptta: Becoming quiet and awkward when receiving attention from other people.

Definition in Korean

앞으로 나서지 않고 말이나 행동을 자제하거나 미루는 성향이나 태도를 가리키는 형용사.a peu ro na seo ji an ko ma ri na haeng dong eul cha je ha geo na mi ru neun seong hyang i na tae do reul ka ri ki neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The Sino-Korean form 소극적 (sogeukjjeok, "lacking initiative") combines 소극 (sogeuk, "a passive stance") with the adjectival suffix 적 (jjeok, "having the quality of").

Usage tips

  • It can describe a usual personality or a temporary response, so context shows whether the person generally holds back or is hesitant in one situation.

Other meanings

  • reservedadjective
  • reluctantadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 소극성sogeuksseongpassivitynoun

Word lists with this word