Nuance Dictionary / Sensory Paradox
쨍하다 jjaeng-ha-da
A sharp, piercing brightness or clarity — for light, cold, or a vivid feeling
What does 쨍하다 mean?
쨍하다 (jjaeng-ha-da) means: A sharp, piercing brightness or clarity — for light, cold, or a vivid feeling.
Used for a cloudless winter sky so bright it almost hurts to look at, or for a sharp, clear cold that stings your face. The paradox: something that should feel harsh (piercing light, biting cold) is often described this way with a note of admiration.
How it's actually used
- 오늘 날씨가 쨍해서 빨래가 엄청 잘 마르겠다.
oneul nalssiga jjaenghaeseo ppallaega eomcheong jal mareulgedda.
The weather is so blindingly bright today, the laundry is going to dry really well.
💡 Used for a very bright, clear day. - 바깥이 너무 쨍해서 선글라스 없이는 못 나가겠어.
bakcati neomu jjaenghaeseo seongeullaseu eopsineun mot nagagesseo.
It's so piercingly bright outside that I can't go out without sunglasses.
💡 Describes intense sunlight that hurts the eyes. - 오늘 날씨가 쨍해서 빨래가 아주 잘 마르겠어.
oneul nalssi-ga jjaenghae-seo ppallae-ga aju jal mareu-gesseo.
The weather is so blindingly bright today that the laundry will dry super well.
💡 Used for intense, clear sunlight or biting cold.
Related words in Sensory Paradox
시원하다 si-won-ha-da쓰라리다 sseu-ra-ri-da후끈하다 hu-kkeun-ha-da시큰하다 si-keun-ha-da화하다 hwa-ha-da