Korean word

주눅들다

Pronunciation

Romanizationchunuktteulda

Meaning

  • verbfeel intimidated

Example

처음 만난 사람들 앞에서 주눅들었어요.cheo eum man nan sa ram deul a pe seo chu nuk tteu reo sseo yo

I felt intimidated in front of people I had just met.

Illustration for 주눅들다 (feel intimidated)

More examples

발표할 때마다 주눅들어요.pal pyo hal ttae ma da chu nuk tteu reo yo

I feel intimidated every time I give a presentation.

Core concept

A person shrinks inward under another person's pressure or authority, speaking and acting less boldly.

Common phrases

  • 남들 앞에서 주눅들다nam deul a pe seo chu nuk tteul da

    feel intimidated in front of others

  • 처음 만난 사람 앞에서 주눅들다cheo eum man nan sa ram a pe seo chu nuk tteul da

    feel intimidated in front of people I have just met

Similar words

기죽다kijuktta: Lose confidence and spirit when faced with another person's harsh words or forceful manner.
겁먹다keommeoktta: Become fearful and tense, with a stiff body or voice and little willingness to act.
위축되다wichukttoeda: Lose confidence and momentum under pressure, causing speech and actions to become subdued.
움츠러들다umcheureodeulda: Draw the body inward and become withdrawn when uneasy.

Definition in Korean

타인의 압력이나 권위 앞에서 위축되어 목소리나 행동이 작아지는 동사.ta i nui am nyeo gi na kwo nwi a pe seo wi chuk ttoe eo mok sso ri na haeng dong i cha ga ji neun tong sa

Word origin

The verb combines the native Korean noun 주눅 (junuk, "intimidation") with 들다 (tteulda, "to enter"), portraying intimidation as something that enters and makes a person shrink.

Usage tips

  • It often describes a temporary reaction to social pressure, even when no one openly threatens the person.

Other meanings

  • shrink backverb
  • lose one's nerveverb

Opposites

  • 당당해지다tangdanghaejidabecome self-assuredverb
  • 대담해지다taedamhaejidabecome boldverb

Related words

  • 주눅chunuktimiditynoun

Word lists with this word