Korean word

호기심

Pronunciation

Romanizationhogisim

Meaning

  • nouncuriosity

Example

나는 호기심이 생기면 직접 찾아본다.na neun ho gi si mi saeng gi myeon chik jjeop cha ja bon da

When I get curious, I look it up myself.

Illustration for 호기심 (curiosity)

More examples

그의 말은 항상 내 호기심을 자극한다.keu ui ma reun hang sang nae ho gi si meul cha geu kan da

His words always arouse my curiosity.

Core concept

A mental pull toward something unfamiliar that makes a person want to find out more.

Common phrases

  • 호기심이 생기다ho gi si mi saeng gi da

    grow curious

  • 호기심이 많다ho gi si mi man ta

    be intensely curious

  • 호기심을 자극하다ho gi si meul cha geu ka da

    stimulate curiosity

Similar words

궁금증kunggeumjeung: A question or feeling that arises when something is not yet known.
관심kwansim: Attention and care directed toward a person, subject, or issue.
흥미heungmi: A feeling of being drawn to something because it seems enjoyable or interesting.

Definition in Korean

알고자 하는 욕구나 궁금함을 뜻하는 명사로, 특히 새로운 정보나 현상에 대해 즉각적으로 주의를 끄는 감정이다.al go ja ha neun yok kku na kung geum ha meul tteu ta neun myeong sa ro teu ki sae ro un cheong bo na hyeon sang e tae hae cheuk kkak jjeo geu ro chu ui reul kkeu neun kam jeong i da

Word origin

Formed from Sino-Korean elements meaning fondness, unusualness, and mind, this word describes the desire to learn about something unfamiliar.

Usage tips

  • When it concerns another person's private life, 호기심 (hogisim, "curiosity") can suggest prying, so the surrounding context matters.

Other meanings

  • interestnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 호기심쟁이hogisimjaengiinquisitive personnoun
  • 호기심어린hogisimeorincuriousadjective

Word lists with this word