Korean word

진퇴양난

Pronunciation

Romanizationchintoeyangnan

Meaning

  • noundilemma

Example

상황이 진퇴양난에 빠져 해결책이 보이지 않는다.sang hwang i chin toe yang na ne ppa jeo hae gyeol chae gi po i ji an neun da

The situation has become a dilemma, and no solution is in sight.

Illustration for 진퇴양난 (dilemma)

More examples

그는 선택의 기로에서 진퇴양난에 놓였다.keu neun seon tae gui ki ro e seo chin toe yang na ne no yeot tta

He found himself at a crossroads, facing a dilemma over what to choose.

Core concept

Being stuck because neither pressing ahead nor withdrawing offers a workable solution.

Common phrases

  • 진퇴양난에 놓이다chin toe yang na ne no i da

    be in a dilemma

  • 진퇴양난에서 벗어나다chin toe yang na ne seo peo seo na da

    escape from a dilemma

Similar words

곤란kollan: A problem or situation is hard to handle or solve.
딜레마tillema: A choice between two options feels impossible because either one may cause trouble.
궁지kungji: A situation leaves someone with no room to maneuver or escape.

Definition in Korean

나아가기도 물러서기도 모두 어려워 처리할 방법이 없는 곤란한 처지na a ga gi do mul leo seo gi do mo du eo ryeo wo cheo ri hal ppang beo bi eom neun kol lan han cheo ji

Word origin

The word comes from a classical Chinese expression meaning that both advance and retreat are difficult, which gives it its two-sided image.

Usage tips

  • Its formal tone suits news, writing, and serious discussions, while casual conversations often use simpler wording for the same kind of problem.

Other meanings

  • impassenoun
  • caught in the middlenoun

Word lists with this word