Korean word

오리무중

Pronunciation

Romanizationorimujung

Meaning

  • nounin the dark

Example

사건의 진상은 오리무중이다.sa geo nui chin sang eun o ri mu jung i da

The truth of the case is unclear.

Illustration for 오리무중 (in the dark)

More examples

앞날이 오리무중이다.am na ri o ri mu jung i da

The future is unclear.

Core concept

A situation is so unclear that its clues and likely outcome cannot be seen.

Common phrases

  • 오리무중이다o ri mu jung i da

    be in the dark

  • 오리무중에 빠지다o ri mu jung e ppa ji da

    fall into uncertainty

  • 오리무중 상태o ri mu jung sang tae

    state of uncertainty

Similar words

안갯속angaetssok: A situation has no clear way forward, and its eventual course cannot be seen.
불확실성pulhwakssilseong: An uncertain condition leaves the result unsettled and prevents firm confidence.
미궁migung: An intricate matter hides its central truth and is difficult to solve.

Definition in Korean

어떤 일의 실마리나 상황을 전혀 알 수 없는 상태를 이르는 명사eo tteon i rui sil ma ri na sang hwang eul cheon hyeo al ssu eom neun sang tae reul i reu neun myeong sa

Word origin

The word comes from a Chinese idiom about being inside fog that stretches for five ri, which led to its sense of complete uncertainty.

Usage tips

  • It commonly appears in reports about investigations, decisions, or plans, so it is useful to recognize even when everyday English uses plainer wording.

Other meanings

  • mysterynoun

Opposites

  • 명확함myeonghwakamclaritynoun
  • 확실함hwakssilhamcertaintynoun

Word lists with this word