Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
적당히 jeokdanghi
Doing just enough to get by without wasting energy or overexerting oneself.
What does 적당히 mean?
적당히 (jeokdanghi) means: Doing just enough to get by without wasting energy or overexerting oneself.
Speakers use this to describe expending just enough effort to handle a task, get through a period of time, or satisfy a requirement without going overboard. It appears in contexts where someone paces themselves, does the bare minimum to pass the time, or avoids full exertion. It commonly pairs with verbs like 때우다 to describe passing the time or getting through a shift or period of work with minimal effort.
Depending on the context, this can carry a casual tone of working smarter rather than harder, or alternatively suggest coasting and putting in less than optimal effort.
Depending on the context, this can carry a casual tone of working smarter rather than harder, or alternatively suggest coasting and putting in less than optimal effort.
Other sides of 적당히
◆ The Social Brake — Speakers use this as an imperative instruction when telling someone not to overdo an activity or behavior. It commonly appears in advice or warnings regarding consumption or stamina, such as drinking alcohol or passing the time. A parent telling an adult child not to drink too much reaches for this exact phrasing in conversation.
When spoken directly as a command to curb behavior, it can carry a firm, paternalistic tone that assumes the speaker has the right to set limits for the listener.
◆ The Moderate Middle — Speakers use this to specify a precise degree or amount that meets a requirement without excess or deficiency. It frequently pairs with verbs of consuming, measuring, and adjusting, such as drinking, eating, putting in ingredients, and exercising. In conversations, a parent advises a child about drinking alcohol using the polite imperative form 마셔라.
Depending on the context, aiming for the moderate middle can sound measured and practical, or it can lean toward doing just enough to get by without overexerting.
When spoken directly as a command to curb behavior, it can carry a firm, paternalistic tone that assumes the speaker has the right to set limits for the listener.
◆ The Moderate Middle — Speakers use this to specify a precise degree or amount that meets a requirement without excess or deficiency. It frequently pairs with verbs of consuming, measuring, and adjusting, such as drinking, eating, putting in ingredients, and exercising. In conversations, a parent advises a child about drinking alcohol using the polite imperative form 마셔라.
Depending on the context, aiming for the moderate middle can sound measured and practical, or it can lean toward doing just enough to get by without overexerting.
🎙️ 적당히는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [적땅히]로 소리나요 (경음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 내가 내일 회사에서 오전만 적당히 때우고 갈 테니까 열두 시에 만나자.
naega naeil hoesaseo ojeonman jeokdanghi ttaeugo gal tenikka yeoldu sie mannaja.
I'll just casually kill time at the office through the morning tomorrow and head over, so let's meet at 12.
💡 A speaker suggesting getting through a morning shift with minimal effort. - 박 과장은 부하의 작은 실수는 적당히 눈감아 주었다.
bak gwajangeun bu-Haui jageun silsuneun jeokdanghi nungam-a ju-eotda.
Manager Park conveniently overlooked the subordinate's minor mistake.
💡 Describing a supervisor letting a minor issue slide without making a fuss. - 지각한 민준이는 선생님께 배가 아프다며 거짓말로 적당히 둘러댔다.
jigakhan minjunineun seonsaengnimkke baega apeudamyeo geojinmalloro jeokdanghi dulleodaetda.
Minjun, who was late, gave a vaguely plausible excuse to the teacher about having a stomachache.
💡 Describing someone covering up a misstep with a convenient, plausible falsehood.
Related words in Social Situations
정신차려 jeong-sin-cha-ryeo정신을 차리다 jeongsineul charida정신이 없다 jeongsini eopda직진 jik-jin진지하다 Jin-ji-ha-da