Nuance Dictionary / Absurdity & Shock
아찔하다 a-jjil-ha-da
Dizzying, or the heart-stopping feeling of narrowly avoiding a disaster
What does 아찔하다 mean?
아찔하다 (a-jjil-ha-da) means: Dizzying, or the heart-stopping feeling of narrowly avoiding a disaster.
You know the feeling when you lean back in your chair, tip too far, and almost fall backward, but catch yourself at the last millisecond? That exact jolt of adrenaline and sudden dizziness is '아찔하다'.
How it's actually used
- 운전하다가 갑자기 사람이 튀어나와서 정말 아찔했다.
unjeonhadaga gapjagi sarami twieonawaseo jeongmal ajjjilhaetda.
A pedestrian suddenly jumped out while I was driving, and it was truly heart-stopping.
💡 Used for sudden near-misses or terrifying moments. - 아래를 내려다보는데 너무 높아서 아찔했다.
araereul naeryeodaboneunde neomu nopaseo ajjjilhaetda.
I looked down and it was so high I felt dizzy.
💡 Can also describe physical dizziness from heights. - 지하철 문이 닫히기 직전에 겨우 탔는데 생각할수록 아찔하네.
jihacheol muni dathigi jikjeone gyeou tanneunde saenggalkalsurok ajjilhane.
I barely made it on before the subway doors closed, and thinking about it now makes my heart drop.
💡 Used for a dizzying, heart-stopping moment of near-disaster.