Korean word

어쩐지

Pronunciation

Romanizationeojjeonji

Meaning

  • adverbfor some reason

Example

어쩐지 기분이 이상했어.eo jjeon ji ki bu ni i sang hae sseo

For some reason, I felt strange.

Illustration for 어쩐지 (for some reason)

More examples

이 말을 듣고 어쩐지 그랬구나.i ma reul teut kko eo jjeon ji keu raet kku na

After hearing this, it all made sense.

Core concept

A situation feels oddly understandable because the speaker senses a reason without knowing it for certain.

Common phrases

  • 어쩐지 그랬구나eo jjeon ji keu raet kku na

    so that's why

Similar words

왠지waenji: Describes a feeling or impression that arises without a clear reason.
왜인지waeinji: Shows that something seems to be true even though the reason is unknown.
아무래도amuraedo: Expresses a careful conclusion based on several signs while allowing some doubt.

Definition in Korean

어쩐지는 말하는 사람이 단서나 느낌을 바탕으로 직접적인 증거 없이도 '그럴 만하다'고 짐작할 때 쓰는 부사이다.eo jjeon ji neun mal ha neun sa ra mi tan seo na neu kki meul pa tang eu ro chik jjeop jjeo gin cheung geo eop ssi do keu reol man ha da ko chim ja kal ttae sseu neun pu sa i da

Word origin

Its form is linked to a shortened Korean expression asking what the reason is, and the question-like origin remains in its sense of tentative explanation.

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation, it can mark a sudden connection between a previous impression and a possible reason, which helps identify the speaker's attitude in listening passages.

Other meanings

  • no wonderadverb

Word lists with this word