Korean word

수줍음

Pronunciation

Romanizationsujubeum

Meaning

  • nounshyness

Example

처음 만났을 때 수줍음을 많이 탔어요.cheo eum man na sseul ttae su ju beu meul ma ni ta sseo yo

I was very shy when we first met.

Illustration for 수줍음 (shyness)

More examples

말할 때 수줍음 때문에 목소리가 떨렸어요.mal hal ttae su ju beum ttae mu ne mok sso ri ga tteol lyeo sseo yo

My voice trembled from shyness when I spoke.

Core concept

A person holds back because embarrassment or awkwardness shows in a stiff expression or lowered gaze.

Common phrases

  • 수줍음을 타다su ju beu meul ta da

    be shy

  • 수줍음이 가시다su ju beu mi ka si da

    shyness wears off

  • 수줍음을 극복하다su ju beu meul keuk ppo ka da

    overcome shyness

Similar words

쑥스러움ssuksseureoum: A self-conscious feeling that makes a person feel awkward and unsettled.
부끄러움pukkeureoum: A short-lived embarrassment that can cause a sudden blush.
소심함sosimham: A cautious nature that holds back because even minor matters seem worrying.

Definition in Korean

부끄러움이나 어색함으로 눈을 피하거나 표정이 굳는 등 표정·시선에서 드러나는 상태나 성향을 가리키는 명사.pu kkeu reo u mi na eo sae ka meu ro nu neul pi ha geo na pyo jeong i kun neun teung pyo jeong si seo ne seo teu reo na neun sang tae na seong hyang eul ka ri ki neun myeong sa

Word origin

This noun comes from the adjective stem for shy with the noun-forming ending -eum, turning a quality or feeling into a named state.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often treat shyness as a lasting personality trait, but this Korean noun can also describe a brief reaction in an awkward moment.

Opposites

Related words

  • 수줍다sujupttashyadjective
  • 수줍어하다sujubeohadabe shyverb
  • 수줍음쟁이sujubeumjaengishy personnoun

Word lists with this word