Nuance Dictionary / Pacing & Transition
덜컥 deol-keok
Suddenly taking on a heavy responsibility, making a big decision abruptly, or a heart dropping in sudden fear
What does 덜컥 mean?
덜컥 (deol-keok) means: Suddenly taking on a heavy responsibility, making a big decision abruptly, or a heart dropping in sudden fear.
The heavy, clanking feeling of something massive suddenly dropping onto your shoulders or in your chest.
How it's actually used
- 면접 결과를 기다리는데 갑자기 심장이 덜컥 내려앉는 것 같았어요.
myeon-jeop gyeol-gwa-reul gi-da-ri-neun-de gap-jagi sim-jang-i deol-keok nae-ryeo-an-neun geot gat-at-seo-yo.
Waiting for the interview results, it felt like my heart suddenly dropped in my chest.
💡 Captures a sudden wave of fear or anxiety dropping into your stomach. - 할인한다고 하길래 충동적으로 덜컥 큰 걸 사고 말았어요.
hal-in-han-da-go ha-gil-lae chung-dong-jeok-u-ro deol-keok keun geol sa-go mar-at-seo-yo.
They said it was on sale, so I impulsively went ahead and made a huge purchase.
💡 Used when you regretfully commit to a heavy responsibility or purchase too quickly. - 내일이 면접이라는 말을 듣는 순간 가슴이 덜컥 내려앉았다.
naeiri myeonjeobiraneun mareul deunneun sungan gaseumi deolkeo naeryeowanjatda.
The moment I heard the interview was tomorrow, my heart suddenly dropped.
💡 Describes a sudden jolt of anxiety or fear.
Related words in Pacing & Transition
야금야금 ya-geum-ya-geum시나브로 si-na-beu-ro쑥쑥 ssuk-ssuk뚝딱 ttuk-ttak꼬박꼬박 kko-bak-kko-bak