Korean word

어려워하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationeoryeowohada

Meaning

  • verbfeel intimidated by

Example

처음 만나는 사람을 어려워해요.cheo eum man na neun sa ra meul eo ryeo wo hae yo

I feel intimidated by people I meet for the first time.

Illustration for 어려워하다 (feel intimidated by)

More examples

많은 사람 앞에서 어려워해요.ma neun sa ram a pe seo eo ryeo wo hae yo

I feel intimidated in front of many people.

Core concept

A person draws back from something because it feels difficult, unfamiliar, or intimidating.

Common phrases

  • 많은 사람 앞에서 어려워하다ma neun sa ram a pe seo eo ryeo wo ha da

    feel intimidated in front of many people

  • 질문을 어려워하다chil mu neul eo ryeo wo ha da

    feel intimidated by questions

Similar words

수줍어하다sujubeohada: Act shy because embarrassment makes speaking or acting openly difficult.
낯을 가리다nacheul karida: Act reserved and distant around unfamiliar people.
어색해하다eosaekaehada: Feel awkward when words or movements do not come naturally.
주저하다chujeohada: Hold back before making a decision or starting an action.

Definition in Korean

어떤 사람이나 사물·상황을 대할 때 불편함이나 겁을 느껴 위축되거나 피하려는 마음을 나타내는 동사.eo tteon sa ra mi na sa mul sang hwang eul tae hal ttae pul pyeon ha mi na keo beul neu kkyeo wi chuk ttoe geo na pi ha ryeo neun ma eu meul na ta nae neun tong sa

Word origin

The adjective meaning difficult becomes a verb through -eo-hada, marking difficulty as a person's felt response rather than an objective description alone.

Usage tips

  • This verb is especially useful when describing discomfort around unfamiliar people or situations, not only trouble completing a task.

Other meanings

  • find difficultverb

Opposites

  • 편해지다pyeonhaejidabecome comfortableverb

Related words

Word lists with this word