Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
기분 탓이다 gi-bun tat-si-da
Dismissing someone's legitimate observation, intuition, or suspicion as mere imagination or paranoia.
What does 기분 탓이다 mean?
기분 탓이다 (gi-bun tat-si-da) means: Dismissing someone's legitimate observation, intuition, or suspicion as mere imagination or paranoia.
Natives reach for this phrase the exact second they get caught red-handed doing something minor, awkward, or socially taboo—like staring too long, messing up an order, or changing the subject suspiciously. Instead of admitting fault and risking 체면 (face), they weaponize plausible deniability with a breezy grin, shifting the blame to your overactive imagination. Learners usually think it's a neutral psychological statement about moods, but in real life, it’s a cheeky, lightweight denial shield that practically dares you to challenge them further.
Other sides of 기분 탓이다
◆ Paranoia Check — In a culture heavily governed by 'nunchi' (the art of reading the room), you are often hyper-aware of subtle shifts in people's behavior. When you start wondering if your boss is subtly icing you out or if a friend’s tone was actually passive-aggressive, saying '기분 탓이다' is how you perform emotional self-regulation to avoid overthinking or acting on paranoia. Learners often mistake this for simple denial, but it’s actually a social survival mechanism; by labeling your suspicion as 'just a mood,' you protect your own peace and prevent yourself from making an awkward, potentially face-losing accusation based on nothing but a hunch.
🎙️ 기분 탓이다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [기분 타시다]로 소리나요 (연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 야, 고기 조금 타는 것 같은데? — 기분 탓이야, 안 탔어.
ya, gogi jogeum taneun geot gateunde? — gibun tasiya, an tasseo.
Hey, isn't the meat burning a little? — It's just your imagination, it's not burnt.
💡 The classic defense mechanism used over a grill when someone refuses to admit they left the pork belly on the fire too long. - 너 아까부터 저 사람 계속 쳐다보더라? — 기분 탓이거든? 안 봤어.
neo akkabuteo jeo saram gyesok chyeodabodeora? — gibun tasigeodeun? an bwasseo.
You've been staring at that person since earlier, haven't you? — In your dreams! I wasn't looking.
💡 Adding '-거든' at the end turns a defensive denial into a slightly pouty, indignant counter-attack. - 팀장님 오늘 분위기 좀 싸하지 않냐? — 기분 탓이겠죠, 빨리 일합시다.
timjangnim oneul bunwi-gi jom ssahaji anya? — gibun tasigetjyo, ppalli ilhapsida.
Doesn't the team leader's vibe feel a bit chilly today? — It must be your imagination, let's just work quickly.
💡 Using the polite '-죠' form here to a coworker is a subtle survival tactic to shut down dangerous office gossip before it starts.
Related words in Social Situations
기(氣)가 살다 Gi-ga salda기 싸움 Gi ssaum기가 차다 Giga chada기(氣)가 죽다 giga jukda고생하셨습니다 go-saeng-has-yeot-seum-ni-da