Korean word

외면하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationoemyeonhada

Meaning

  • verbignore

Example

그는 문제를 외면했다.keu neun mun je reul oe myeon haet tta

He ignored the problem.

Illustration for 외면하다 (ignore)

More examples

그녀는 시선을 외면하며 질문에 답하지 않았다.keu nyeo neun si seo neul oe myeon ha myeo chil mu ne ta pa ji a nat tta

She looked away and did not answer the question.

Core concept

Deliberately turning away from a person or issue and giving it no attention or response.

Common phrases

  • 사람을 외면하다sa ra meul oe myeon ha da

    ignore someone

  • 시선을 외면하다si seo neul oe myeon ha da

    avert one's gaze

  • 요청을 외면하다yo cheong eul oe myeon ha da

    ignore a request

Similar words

무시하다musihada: Deliberately give no attention or response to another person's words, actions, or presence.
못 본 척하다mot pon cheokada: Knowingly pretend not to see someone or something that is plainly visible.
피하다pihada: Change course or behavior to avoid an unwanted person, situation, place, or encounter.

Definition in Korean

누군가나 어떤 사안에 대해 눈길을 주지 않고 반응하지 않는 행동을 가리킨다.nu gun ga na eo tteon sa a ne tae hae nun gi reul chu ji an ko pa neung ha ji an neun haeng dong eul ka ri kin da

Word origin

The verb combines 외면 (oemyeon, "turning away") and 하다 (hada, "to do"), developing from turning one's face away to refusing to face or respond.

Usage tips

  • When used for a social problem, it can suggest refusing to face an uncomfortable responsibility, not merely staying away from a place.

Other meanings

  • turn away fromverb
  • turn one's back onverb
  • avoidverb

Opposites

  • 대면하다taemyeonhadafaceverb
  • 응대하다eungdaehadarespond toverb

Related words

  • 외면당하다oemyeondanghadabe ignoredverb
  • 외면oemyeonturning awaynoun

Word lists with this word