What does 얼굴 mean?
얼굴 (eol-gul) means: Face.
Speakers use this to refer to the front part of the head or the overall facial features and appearance. It appears frequently in daily routines involving washing, applying skincare products, or shielding against the elements. It also combines with descriptive terms for shape and appearance, such as round, handsome, or rough.
Other sides of 얼굴
◆ social_status_pride — Speakers use this to refer to the reputation, standing, or face one holds among acquaintances or within a community. It frequently appears in contexts involving maintaining, losing, or establishing public standing and social regard. It combines with verbs and expressions concerned with gaining recognition or preserving personal standing.
Can often feel tied to interpersonal accountability and the weight of public perception in group settings.
◆ relationship_avoidance — Speakers use this word when talking about the act of showing one's face or encountering someone else, particularly in situations involving reluctance or avoidance. It often appears in constructions describing the inability or unwillingness to look someone in the eye or appear before them after a past incident or conflict. It pairs with verbs of covering, hiding, or moving out of sight.
When used in contexts of avoidance, it can carry a heavy sense of personal embarrassment, guilt, or the desire to escape social accountability after a conflict.
Can often feel tied to interpersonal accountability and the weight of public perception in group settings.
◆ relationship_avoidance — Speakers use this word when talking about the act of showing one's face or encountering someone else, particularly in situations involving reluctance or avoidance. It often appears in constructions describing the inability or unwillingness to look someone in the eye or appear before them after a past incident or conflict. It pairs with verbs of covering, hiding, or moving out of sight.
When used in contexts of avoidance, it can carry a heavy sense of personal embarrassment, guilt, or the desire to escape social accountability after a conflict.
How it's actually used
- 얼굴을 씻다.
eol-gul-eul ssis-da.
To wash one's face.
💡 A routine hygiene action directed at the face. - 햇빛에 눈이 부셔 얼굴을 찡그리다.
haet-bit-e nun-i bu-syeo eol-gul-eul jjing-geu-ri-da.
To frown because the sunlight is dazzling.
💡 A physical reaction showing expression on the face. - 그녀는 얼굴에 로션을 발랐다.
geu-nyeo-neun eol-gul-e ro-syeon-eul bal-rat-da.
She applied lotion to her face.
💡 A common daily skincare action.