Nuance Dictionary / Sounds & Sensations
도란도란 do-ran-do-ran
The cozy, low-voiced murmur of close ones sharing deep life updates over a midnight table.
What does 도란도란 mean?
도란도란 (do-ran-do-ran) means: The cozy, low-voiced murmur of close ones sharing deep life updates over a midnight table.
Speakers use this to describe the quiet, intimate atmosphere of people talking in low voices as the day winds down. It appears in situations where family members or close companions gather together late at night, sharing life updates or conversations until sleep takes over. It frequently combines with verbs of conversing and gathering, such as 대화를 나누다, 이야기를 나누다, and 모여 이야기하다.
can evoke a deep sense of warmth, domestic safety, and unhurried intimacy, contrasting sharply with the noise and rushing pace of daytime life.
can evoke a deep sense of warmth, domestic safety, and unhurried intimacy, contrasting sharply with the noise and rushing pace of daytime life.
Other sides of 도란도란
◆ Strolling on a Drove Path — Speakers reach for this word to describe the gentle murmur of conversation outdoors, often while walking in a park or moving together at a relaxed pace. It pairs with verbs of talking and moving, such as walking in a park or sharing stories while outdoors. The sound of the words matches the unhurried cadence of footsteps and quiet talk in an open space.
This can evoke a sense of unhurried peace and companionship, painting the scene as quiet and sheltered from the rush of daily life.
◆ Low-Stakes Workplace Whispers — Speakers use this word to describe a soft, low-voiced conversation among a few people in a warm or friendly setting. It often appears when people gather in a living room, sit around a campfire, or chat quietly before falling asleep. The word typically combines with verbs of talking and gathering, such as 대화를 나누다, 이야기를 나누다, and 모여 이야기하다.
In a workplace setting, this can evoke a playful picture of coworkers murmuring together about weekend plans or personal matters while ostensibly keeping focused on their assigned tasks.
This can evoke a sense of unhurried peace and companionship, painting the scene as quiet and sheltered from the rush of daily life.
◆ Low-Stakes Workplace Whispers — Speakers use this word to describe a soft, low-voiced conversation among a few people in a warm or friendly setting. It often appears when people gather in a living room, sit around a campfire, or chat quietly before falling asleep. The word typically combines with verbs of talking and gathering, such as 대화를 나누다, 이야기를 나누다, and 모여 이야기하다.
In a workplace setting, this can evoke a playful picture of coworkers murmuring together about weekend plans or personal matters while ostensibly keeping focused on their assigned tasks.
How it's actually used
- 두 자매는 밤에 도란도란 대화를 나누다가 잠이 들었다.
du ja-mae-neun bam-e do-ran-do-ran dae-hwa-reul na-nu-da-ga jam-i deureot-da.
The two sisters fell asleep while chatting quietly together at night.
💡 Shows close family members talking late into the night before sleeping. - 아버지가 퇴근하시면 온 가족은 거실에 모여 도란도란 이야기를 나누었다.
a-beo-ji-ga toe-geun-ha-si-myeon on ga-jok-eun geo-sil-e mo-yeo do-ran-do-ran i-yagi-reul na-nu-eot-da.
When father came home from work, the whole family would gather in the living room and chat affectionately together.
💡 Shows an entire family gathered together for evening conversation. - 네, 친구들과 모닥불 피워 놓고 도란도란 이야기하느라 시간 가는 줄도 몰랐어요.
ne, chin-gu-deul-gwa mo-dak-bul pi-wo noh-go do-ran-do-ran i-yagi-ha-neu-ra si-gan ga-neun jul-do mollat-seoyo.
Yes, I lost track of time while sitting around the campfire chatting quietly with my friends.
💡 Shows friends talking warmly in a quiet, secluded setting.
Related words in Sounds & Sensations
동동 dong-dong동글동글 dong-geul-dong-geul둥실둥실 dung-sil-dung-sil뒤죽박죽 dwi-juk-bak-juk뒤뚱뒤뚱 dwi-ttung-dwi-ttung