Korean word

어색하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationeosaekada

Meaning

  • adjectiveawkward

Example

처음 만났을 때는 어색했어요.cheo eum man na sseul ttae neun eo sae kae sseo yo

It was awkward when we first met.

Illustration for 어색하다 (awkward)

More examples

둘이 어색하게 웃으며 인사를 나눴어요.tu ri eo sae ka ge u seu myeo in sa reul na nwo sseo yo

The two exchanged greetings while smiling awkwardly.

Core concept

Words, gestures, or an atmosphere that do not flow naturally, leaving people unsure how to act.

Common phrases

  • 어색한 침묵eo sae kan chim muk

    awkward silence

  • 어색하게 웃다eo sae ka ge ut tta

    laugh awkwardly

  • 어색한 만남eo sae kan man nam

    awkward meeting

Similar words

서먹하다seomeokada: Feeling distant from someone and finding it hard to begin or continue a friendly conversation.
부자연스럽다pujayeonseureoptta: Not looking or sounding natural in speech, movement, or behavior.
낯설다natsseolda: Feeling unfamiliar and slightly strange in a new place or around a new person.
거북하다keobukada: Feeling uncomfortable because another person's words or actions make a natural response difficult.

Definition in Korean

사람의 말이나 몸짓, 상황의 분위기가 자연스럽지 않아 거리감이나 불편함을 느끼게 하는 형용사sa ra mui ma ri na mom jit sang hwang ui pu nwi gi ga cha yeon seu reop jji a na keo ri ga mi na pul pyeon ha meul neu kki ge ha neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

어색 (eosae, "a blocked or awkward state") is joined to 하다 (kada, "to do") to make an adjective for situations in which natural ease breaks down.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, this word is especially useful for describing a silence or meeting that suddenly feels hard to continue.

Other meanings

  • uncomfortableadjective
  • unnaturaladjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 어색함eosaekamawkwardnessnoun
  • 어색해하다eosaekaehadafeel awkwardverb

Word lists with this word