Nuance Dictionary / Sounds & Sensations
허우적 heo-u-jeok
Frantic, uncoordinated physical thrashing as if fighting off water, deep mud, or tangled sheets.
What does 허우적 mean?
허우적 (heo-u-jeok) means: Frantic, uncoordinated physical thrashing as if fighting off water, deep mud, or tangled sheets.
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How it's actually used
- 깊은 물에 빠졌는지 계속 허우적대더라고.
gi-peun mul-e ppa-jyeot-neun-ji gye-sok heo-u-jeok-dae-deor-a-go.
He must have fallen into deep water because he kept flailing around.
💡 Combines with '-대다' to highlight the repetitive, frantic nature of the limbs thrashing. - 이불 속에서 허우적대지 말고 빨리 일어나!
i-bul sog-e-seo heo-u-jeok-dae-ji mal-go ppal-li il-eo-na!
Stop thrashing around in the blankets and get up already!
💡 Shows how the word easily extends to everyday domestic struggles, like fighting heavy morning bedding. - 진흙탕에 발이 빠져서 허우적거릴 뿐이었다.
jin-heuk-tang-e bal-i ppa-jyeo-seo heo-u-jeok-geor-il ppun-i-eot-da.
My feet sank into the mud, and I was merely flailing helplessly.
💡 Paints a vivid picture of physical entrapment where every movement makes it worse.
Related words in Sounds & Sensations
흔들흔들 heun-deul-heun-deul훌훌 hul-hul지긋이 ji-geu-si지글지글 ji-geul-ji-geul쫄깃쫄깃 jjol-git-jjol-git