Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
귀가 솔깃하다 Gwi-ga solgithada
To have your ears prick up and your skepticism dissolve the moment an irresistible offer or spicy piece of gossip hits.
What does 귀가 솔깃하다 mean?
귀가 솔깃하다 (Gwi-ga solgithada) means: To have your ears prick up and your skepticism dissolve the moment an irresistible offer or spicy piece of gossip hits.
Natives use this when they were originally indifferent or firm, but a specific detail suddenly makes them lean in. It isn't just 'being interested'; it’s the physical sensation of your guard dropping because something sounds too good (or too juicy) to ignore. Learners often confuse it with simple 'curiosity,' but this is specifically about the moment your decision-making process gets hijacked by temptation.
Other sides of 귀가 솔깃하다
◆ The Sales Pitch Trap — When you say this, you are effectively self-reporting that you are being 'sold' on an idea, even if you know it’s a trap. It’s not just about being interested; it’s about the specific sensation of your ears perking up as a smooth talker starts making sense. Learners often use it to mean 'I’m interested,' but natives use it with a hint of irony or self-awareness—like, 'I know this is a scam, but I’m actually listening.'
🎙️ 귀가 솔깃하다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [귀가 솔기타다]로 소리나요 (격음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 이번 주말에 공짜로 제주도 보내준다는 말에 귀가 솔깃했어.
I-beon ju-mal-e gong-jja-ro Je-ju-do bo-nae-jun-da-neun mal-e gwi-ga sol-git-hae-sseo.
When they said they'd send me to Jeju for free this weekend, my ears really pricked up.
💡 Shows how the term functions as the turning point in a negotiation or decision. - 솔직히 그 제안 들으니까 귀가 솔깃하긴 한데, 좀 고민되네.
Sol-jik-hi geu je-an deu-reu-ni-kka gwi-ga sol-git-ha-gin han-de, jom go-min-doe-ne.
Honestly, hearing that offer makes me interested, but I'm still a bit torn.
💡 Demonstrates the internal conflict between logical doubt and sudden temptation. - 어머, 그 소문 진짜야? 갑자기 귀가 솔깃해지는데?
Eo-meo, geu so-mun jin-jja-ya? Gap-ja-gi gwi-ga sol-git-hae-ji-neun-de?
Wait, is that rumor true? Now you've really got my attention.
💡 Captures the gossip-hungry side of the phrase where curiosity turns into active engagement.
Related words in Social Situations
귀를 기울이다 Gwi-reul giulida귀가 얇다 gwiga yalda한방 han-bang한눈을 팔다 hannuneul palda호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다 Horangido je mal hamyeon onda