Nuance Dictionary / Pressure & Weight
흠칫 heum-chit
Startling briefly and suddenly in surprise, fear, or realization
What does 흠칫 mean?
흠칫 (heum-chit) means: Startling briefly and suddenly in surprise, fear, or realization.
A sharp, split-second physical reaction to something shocking or scary.
🎙️ 흠칫은 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [흠칟]로 소리나요 (받침규칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 뒤에서 갑자기 소리가 나서 흠칫 놀랐다.
Dwieseo gapjagi soriga naseo heumchit nollatda.
I was startled for a second when a sudden noise came from behind.
💡 Describes a sudden, brief startle reaction. - 내 이름을 부르는 소리에 나도 모르게 흠칫했다.
Nae ireumeul bureuneun sorie nado moreuge heumchitaetda.
I flinched momentarily without realizing it when I heard my name called.
💡 Often paired with verbs like 놀라다 or 하다. - 뒤에서 갑자기 소리가 나서 흠칫 놀랐어.
dwieseo gapjagi soriga naseo heumchit nollasseo.
I was startled for a moment when a sudden noise came from behind.
💡 Used when reacting instantly to an unexpected stimulus.
Related words in Pressure & Weight
움찔 um-jjil묵묵히 mung-mu-khi꾹꾹 kkuk-kkuk꽉꽉 kkwak-kkwak빽빽(하다) ppaek-ppaek-ha-da