Korean word

초조

Pronunciation

Romanizationchojo

Meaning

  • adjectivenervous

Example

발표 때문에 초조해요.pal pyo ttae mu ne cho jo hae yo

I'm nervous because of the presentation.

Illustration for 초조 (nervous)

More examples

시험 결과를 기다리며 초조한 마음이었어요.si heom kyeol gwa reul ki da ri myeo cho jo han ma eu mi eo sseo yo

I felt nervous while waiting for the exam results.

Core concept

A mind pulled tight by uncertainty, unable to stay calm while waiting for an outcome.

Common phrases

  • 초조한 마음cho jo han ma eum

    nervous feeling

  • 초조한 상태cho jo han sang tae

    nervous state

Similar words

불안하다puranhada: Feeling anxious about an uncertain future or an unclear result.
조급하다chogeupada: Feeling impatient and wanting to act quickly instead of waiting.
긴장되다kinjangdoeda: Feeling nervous as attention and pressure make the body and mind tense.
걱정되다keokjjeongdoeda: Feeling worried because a possible problem keeps coming to mind.

Definition in Korean

불확실한 상황에서 결과를 기다리며 마음이 조급해지고 평정심을 잃는 상태를 말한다.pul hwak ssil han sang hwang e seo kyeol gwa reul ki da ri myeo ma eu mi cho geu pae ji go pyeong jeong si meul il leun sang tae reul mal han da

Word origin

The Sino-Korean formation combines ideas of scorching and dryness, which helps explain its image of a mind that cannot settle.

Usage tips

  • This adjective is especially useful when a person is waiting for news, permission, or a decision and cannot relax until the outcome is known.

Other meanings

  • impatientadjective
  • restlessadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 초조감chojogamnervousnessnoun

Word lists with this word