꾸벅꾸벅 졸다 (ggu-beok-ggu-beok jol-da) – doze off 꾸벅꾸벅 means “drowsily” and 졸다 means “to doze off”. But “dozing off drowsily” doesn’t make much sense in English so just understand the phrase as an exaggeration of “doze off”. Examples: 운전하면서 꾸벅꾸벅 졸지…
달래 주다 (dal-lae ju-da) – soothe/hush This phrase can be used for intangible things like fear, sadness or anger. Also, you can use this phrase for babies or people who are scared, sad or angry. Examples: 우리는 공포 영화를 보다가…
어느새 (eo-neu-sae) – before one knows it This word is useful to describe occurrences that happen without your knowledge or to describe something very sudden. You can also use this to express how something happened faster than expected, which is…
떼어내다 (dde-eo-nae-da) – tear off/rip off/separate This word is usually used to describe when something is physically “torn off/ripped off/separated from” something else. Examples: 어제 엄마는 우리 집 벽에 붙여 있는 포스터를 떼어냈어. Yesterday, Mom tore off the poster that…
들여다보다 (deu-ryeo-da-bo-da) – look into/peep into When used with a physical object like a door, keyhole, small opening of sorts, you can think of this word as “peep into” (literally). However, when used with an intangible object like someone’s mind,…
간직하다 (gan-ji-ka-da) – keep (and cherish)/treasure This word can be used for tangible things – physical objects – or intangible things – secrets, memories, etc. Examples: 우리 친구가 3년 전에 유학하러 미국으로 갔지만 그와 같이 찍었던 사진을 아직도 소중히 간직해.…
코 앞에 닥쳐도 (ko a-pe dak-cheo-do) – even as (something) is at one’s nose/even at the last minute/even at the eleventh hour This is a phrase taught to me by my teacher-cum-mentor. I feel that it’s a very useful phrase…
직성이 풀리다 (jik-seong-i pool-li-da) – to be satisfied While this phrase has the meaning “to be satisfied” or “to be gratified”, this phrase is usually used in negative situations. Examples: 우리 아빠는 뭐든지 자신이 직접 해야만 직성이 풀려. Only if…
집어 들다 (ji-beo deul-da) – take/pick up This phrase is usually used to describe physically taking/picking up something. Examples: 엄마와 아빠가 먹고 있을 때까지 우리는 음식을 젓가락으로 집어 들지 않아. We wouldn’t use our chopsticks to pick up any food,…
나란히 (na-ran-i) – (doing something) side by side This adverb is useful when describing any actions that are done by certain people while being side by side. 나란히 is usually used to describe physical situations but it can still be…
