Nuance Dictionary / Absurdity & Shock
당황하다 dang-hwang-ha-da
To be deeply flustered, panicked, and thrown off balance
What does 당황하다 mean?
당황하다 (dang-hwang-ha-da) means: To be deeply flustered, panicked, and thrown off balance.
Unlike 'surprised' (놀라다), this involves a loss of control. If you are presenting to the CEO and your laptop suddenly catches fire, you are '당황하다'. Your brain stops working and you panic.
How it's actually used
- 갑자기 질문을 받아서 너무 당황했어요.
gapjagi jilmureun badaseo neomu danghwanghaesseoyo.
I was so flustered because I was asked a question out of nowhere.
💡 Use this when you are caught off guard and don't know what to do. - 갑작스러운 질문을 받아 순간적으로 당황했다.
gapjakseureoun jilmureul bad-a sunganjeoreuro danghwanghaetda.
I was momentarily flustered when I received the sudden question.
💡 Great for describing the flustered state when caught off guard. - 갑자기 발표 자료가 화면에서 날아가 버려서 진짜 당황했다.
gapjagi balpyo jaryoga hwamungeseo naraga beoryoseo jinjja danghwanghaetda.
I totally panicked when my presentation slides suddenly disappeared from the screen.
💡 Used when caught completely off guard and losing your composure.