Category Vocabulary

두각을 나타내다 (doo-ga-geul na-ta-nae-da) – stand out (from a crowd) This phrase can be used to describe how a subject/noun is distinct and stands out, like in the sense of ability or appearance. Examples: 어린 시절부터 그는 특히 수학과 과학에…

공백기 (gong-baek-gi) – (empty/absence) period of time This word is different from 시간 in that it has the connotation of “emptiness” and “absence” in it. It is not like “free time” but it’s more like a “lull period” of time…

먹혀들다 (meo-kyeo-deul-da) – to totally succeed; to be a huge hit/big success I’m not sure how to break up the words for this word to make sense, if anyone can, please let me know. Because 먹히다 means to be eaten…

보란 듯이 (bo-ran deu-si) – boastfully/proudly This phrase has the same meaning as “showing off” in English. 보란 듯이 is basically an adverb that can be used to express how someone is boasting or being very proud of something to…

거절당하다 (geo-jeol-dang-a-da) – refuse/reject This word can be used in almost any kind of situation to express a refusal or rejection from someone. You can use it to express a rejection towards employment, love confession or a request. Examples: 그 회사가…

온데간데 없다 (on-de-gan-de oeb-da) – disappeared from sight/vanished into thin air This phrase is an exaggeration of 없다 or 안 보이다. I’m not very sure how to explain this phrase but you can look at it this way: 온데 =…