Nuance Dictionary / Personality Traits
덤벙대다 deom-beong-dae-da
Clumsy, careless, and constantly making silly mistakes
What does 덤벙대다 mean?
덤벙대다 (deom-beong-dae-da) means: Clumsy, careless, and constantly making silly mistakes.
The direct opposite of '꼼꼼하다'. This is the person who leaves their phone in the taxi, wears their shirt inside out, and constantly trips over flat ground. Often seen as somewhat endearing but frustrating.
Other sides of 덤벙대다
◆ workplace — Speakers use this to describe someone acting hastily and making careless mistakes on tasks, particularly in professional or everyday settings where attention to detail matters. It frequently appears in combinations describing a general personality trait or mistakes made while rushing, such as pairing with terms for personality or making errors. A recorded dialogue shows colleagues discussing a manager's performance, where one speaker points out that rushing and carelessness undermine otherwise good qualities.
When used in a workplace context to describe a colleague or subordinate, this can carry mild exasperation or critical fondness, depending on whether the speaker is trying to correct a pattern of errors or simply commenting on a known personality trait.
◆ parental — Speakers use this to describe clumsy or hasty behavior, such as tripping over thresholds or rushing into things without paying attention. It appears in contexts involving children playing or running about carelessly, as well as adults who frequently forget important tasks due to a hurried, uncomposed nature. It pairs with descriptions of making mistakes or getting hurt from rushing, and combines with expressions for handling everyday actions or chores in a scattered way.
When used toward children or younger people, this can carry an affectionate fondness despite the exasperation, highlighting youthful carelessness rather than harsh criticism.
◆ dating — Speakers use this verb when describing someone who acts frivolously, becomes flustered, or hurries into things without being composed. It commonly appears in descriptions of a careless, excitable nature, as seen in the collocation 덤벙대는 성격. It also pairs with contexts where haste leads directly to minor accidents or errors, such as 덤벙대다가 다치다 or 덤벙대다가 실수하다. Speakers frequently apply it to everyday situations where a lack of careful attention causes someone to stumble or miss details.
While it describes a flaw, in close relationships this can read as endearing rather than harsh, highlighting a partner's approachable, human clumsiness over actual incompetence.
When used in a workplace context to describe a colleague or subordinate, this can carry mild exasperation or critical fondness, depending on whether the speaker is trying to correct a pattern of errors or simply commenting on a known personality trait.
◆ parental — Speakers use this to describe clumsy or hasty behavior, such as tripping over thresholds or rushing into things without paying attention. It appears in contexts involving children playing or running about carelessly, as well as adults who frequently forget important tasks due to a hurried, uncomposed nature. It pairs with descriptions of making mistakes or getting hurt from rushing, and combines with expressions for handling everyday actions or chores in a scattered way.
When used toward children or younger people, this can carry an affectionate fondness despite the exasperation, highlighting youthful carelessness rather than harsh criticism.
◆ dating — Speakers use this verb when describing someone who acts frivolously, becomes flustered, or hurries into things without being composed. It commonly appears in descriptions of a careless, excitable nature, as seen in the collocation 덤벙대는 성격. It also pairs with contexts where haste leads directly to minor accidents or errors, such as 덤벙대다가 다치다 or 덤벙대다가 실수하다. Speakers frequently apply it to everyday situations where a lack of careful attention causes someone to stumble or miss details.
While it describes a flaw, in close relationships this can read as endearing rather than harsh, highlighting a partner's approachable, human clumsiness over actual incompetence.
How it's actually used
- 지갑을 또 잃어버릴 뻔했어요. 내가 왜 이렇게 덤벙대는지 모르겠어요.
jigabeul tto ir-eobeoril ppeonhaesseoyo. naega wae ireoke deombeongdaeneunji moreugesseoyo.
I almost lost my wallet again. I don't know why I'm so clumsy.
💡 Used when lamenting one's own careless habits. - 급하게 나오느라 또 덤벙대서 중요한 서류를 집에 두고 왔어요.
geuphage naoneura tto deombeongdaeseo jungyohan seorureul jibe dugo wasseoyo.
I rushed out and was careless again, so I left the important documents at home.
💡 Describes making a silly mistake due to rushing. - 중요한 서류를 또 두고 오다니, 평소에 너무 덤벙대는 거 아니야?
Jung-yohan seoryureul tto dugo odani, pyeongsoe neomu deombeongdaeneun geo aniya?
Leaving the important documents behind again—aren't you just being too careless lately?
💡 Used to scold or gently tease someone prone to frequent absentminded mistakes.
Related words in Personality Traits
꼼꼼하다 kkom-kkom-ha-da털털하다 teol-teol-ha-da까칠하다 kka-chil-ha-da얌전하다 yam-jeon-ha-da대범하다 dae-beom-ha-da