Korean word

숨차다

Pronunciation

Romanizationsumchada

Meaning

  • adjectiveout of breath

Example

버스를 놓쳐서 뛰어가느라 숨차서 잠깐 쉬었어.peo seu reul no cheo seo ttwi eo ga neu ra sum cha seo cham kkan swi eo sseo

I took a short rest because I was out of breath from running after I missed the bus.

Illustration for 숨차다 (out of breath)

More examples

짐을 옮기느라 숨차서 잠깐 앉았다.chi meul om gi neu ra sum cha seo cham kkan an jat tta

I sat down briefly because I was out of breath from moving a load.

Core concept

Breathing that cannot keep up after physical effort.

Common phrases

  • 계단을 올라가느라 숨차다kye da neul ol la ga neu ra sum cha da

    out of breath from going up the stairs

  • 짐을 옮기느라 숨차다chi meul om gi neu ra sum cha da

    out of breath from carrying things

  • 조깅을 오래 해서 숨차다cho ging eul o rae hae seo sum cha da

    out of breath after a long jog

Similar words

숨이 가쁘다sumi kappeuda: Having quick, shallow breathing and a tight feeling in the chest during exercise.

Definition in Korean

운동하거나 빨리 걸은 뒤에 숨이 가빠져 숨 쉬기가 힘들게 되는 상태.un dong ha geo na ppal li keo reun twi e su mi ka ppa jeo sum swi gi ga him deul ge toe neun sang tae

Word origin

숨차다 (sumchada, "out of breath") combines 숨 (sum, "breath") with 차다 (chada, "be full"), creating the image of breath filling up and making breathing difficult.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, this word naturally explains why someone pauses after running, climbing, or hurrying somewhere.

Opposites

  • 가뿐하다kappunhadaat easeadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word