Korean word

얼핏

Pronunciation

Romanizationeolpit

Meaning

  • adverbbriefly

Example

그를 얼핏 본 적이 있어.keu reul eol pit pon cheo gi i sseo

I've seen him briefly.

Illustration for 얼핏 (briefly)

More examples

골목에서 얼핏 그의 얼굴이 보였다.kol mo ge seo eol pit keu ui eol gu ri po yeot tta

His face was briefly visible in the alley.

Core concept

Something appears for only a moment, like a passing image that cannot be studied closely.

Common phrases

  • 얼핏 보이다eol pit po i da

    be briefly visible

  • 얼핏 스치다eol pit seu chi da

    briefly pass by

  • 얼핏 떠오르다eol pit tteo o reu da

    briefly come to mind

Similar words

언뜻eontteut: A sight or idea briefly enters awareness and leaves an unclear impression.
힐끗hilkkeut: A quick look toward something lasts only a moment.

Definition in Korean

순간적으로 아주 짧게 어떤 모습이나 생각이 스쳐 지나감을 나타내는 부사sun gan jeo geu ro a ju jjal kke eo tteon mo seu bi na saeng ga gi seu cheo chi na ga meul na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

No secure etymology explains this word, so learning it as a single unit linked to a fleeting glimpse avoids a misleading breakdown.

Usage tips

  • It helps distinguish a detail caught in passing from something observed carefully and remembered clearly.

Other meanings

  • at a glanceadverb

Opposites

  • 명확히myeonghwakiclearlyadverb

Word lists with this word