Korean Conversation · Level 310
15 words
Korean word
흠집
Pronunciation
Romanizationheumjip
Meaning
- nounscratch
Example
핸드폰 화면에 흠집이 났어요.haen deu pon hwa myeo ne heum ji bi na sseo yo
There is a scratch on my phone screen.
More examples
차 문에 작은 흠집이 남아 있어요.cha mu ne cha geun heum ji bi na ma i sseo yo
A small scratch remains on the car door.
Core concept
A small visible mark that mars an otherwise smooth surface.
Common phrases
흠집을 내다heum ji beul nae da
leave a scratch
흠집이 남다heum ji bi nam tta
a scratch remains
Similar words
기스kiseu: A narrow line scratched into the surface of an item such as a screen or table.
자국chaguk: A visible trace left behind by contact, pressure, or a spilled substance.
Definition in Korean
물건의 표면에 남는 작고 눈에 띄는 상처나 자국을 뜻하며, 비유적으로 결점이나 흠을 이르는 경우도 있는 명사mul geo nui pyo myeo ne nam neun chak kko nu ne tti neun sang cheo na cha gu geul tteu ta myeo pi yu jeo geu ro kyeol jeo mi na heu meul i reu neun kyeong u do in neun myeong sa
Word origin
The formation of this noun is uncertain, but remembering its basic image of a small mark helps connect its physical and figurative uses.
Usage tips
- Korean also uses this word for a minor weakness in a person or plan, so the surrounding context shows whether the meaning is physical or figurative.