Nuance Dictionary / Appearance & Demeanor

번지르르 beon-ji-reu-reu

Slick, glossy, and highly polished on the outside, but usually lacking substance or honesty on the inside

What does 번지르르 mean?

번지르르 (beon-ji-reu-reu) means: Slick, glossy, and highly polished on the outside, but usually lacking substance or honesty on the inside.

A negative word for a smooth talker or a scam that looks too good on the surface.

How it's actually used

  • 말만 번지르르하게 하고 행동은 하나도 안 하네.
    malman beonjireurakhage hago haeng-doneun hana do anna ne.
    He's all talk and doesn't take any action at all.
    💡 Used to criticize someone whose words sound smooth but lack substance.
  • 겉만 번지르르하지 속은 다 썩었어.
    geotman beonjireurakhaji sogeun da sseogeosseo.
    It looks slick on the outside, but it's completely rotten on the inside.
    💡 Often used to describe a deceptive product, deal, or person.
  • 말만 번지르르하게 하고 막상 책임을 지려고 하질 않네.
    malman beonjireuruhage hago maksang chaegimeul jiryeogo hajil anne.
    He’s all talk with a slick tongue, but when push comes to shove, he won't take responsibility.
    💡 Carries a negative connotation for people whose words look good on the surface but lack true substance.

Related words in Appearance & Demeanor

꾀죄죄하다 kkoe-joe-joe-ha-da토실토실 to-sil-to-sil삐쩍 ppi-jjeok듬직하다 deum-jik-ha-da얍삽하다 yap-sap-ha-da

← Back to the full Nuance Dictionary