Korean word

틈

Pronunciation

Romanizationteum

Meaning

  • noungap

Example

문에 틈이 있어요.mu ne teu mi i sseo yo

There is a gap in the door.

Illustration for 틈 (gap)

More examples

일과 사이에 틈이 나면 책을 읽어요.il gwa sa i e teu mi na myeon chae geul il geo yo

When I have a break between tasks, I read a book.

Core concept

An open space or break between things, or a brief opening in time or opportunity.

Common phrases

  • 틈을 타다teu meul ta da

    take advantage of an opening

  • 틈이 벌어지다teu mi peo reo ji da

    a gap opens up

  • 틈을 메우다teu meul me u da

    fill a gap

Similar words

기회kihoe: A helpful opportunity arises when circumstances are right for starting or trying something.
빈틈pinteum: A small break in protection or watchfulness allows someone to get through.
틈새teumsae: A narrow space between things can refer to a specialized area within a market.
여유yeoyu: Having time or calm to spare allows careful action and thought.

Definition in Korean

두 물체 사이에 생긴 비어 있는 자리나 갈라진 틈, 또는 짧은 시간적 여유나 기회의 간격을 이르는 말tu mul che sa i e saeng gin pi eo in neun cha ri na kal la jin teum tto neun jjal beun si gan jeok yeo yu na ki hoe ui kan gyeo geul i reu neun mal

Word origin

틈 (teum, "a gap or opening") is a native Korean word whose physical sense of a gap extended naturally to mean a short break or opening in time.

Usage tips

  • English often separates gap, free time, and opportunity, but 틈 (teum, "a gap or opening") can connect all three ideas through the image of space that becomes available.

Other meanings

  • splitnoun
  • free timenoun

Opposites

  • 밀폐milpyeairtight sealingnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word