Nuance Dictionary / Anxiety & Uncertainty
조마조마하다 jo-ma-jo-ma-ha-da
Feeling incredibly nervous, anxious, and fearful about a pending outcome
What does 조마조마하다 mean?
조마조마하다 (jo-ma-jo-ma-ha-da) means: Feeling incredibly nervous, anxious, and fearful about a pending outcome.
You are watching a horror movie and the character slowly opens a closet door. Your heart is pounding. You feel '조마조마하다'. Also used when watching your favorite sports team defend a 1-point lead in the final minute.
Other sides of 조마조마하다
◆ result_waiting — Natives reach for this when they are physically unable to sit still while waiting for life-altering news, like a final job interview result or university entrance score. Unlike common 'nerves,' this carries a weight of *che-myeon* (face/reputation); the anxiety isn't just about the personal loss, but the potential embarrassment of failing to meet the expectations of parents or peers. Learners often mistake this for general 'worry,' but it’s specifically tied to the 'ticking clock' of a result release. If you say this to a superior, it signals a relatable, human vulnerability that can actually soften the rigid hierarchy, provided you are close enough to share your internal state.
◆ secret_carrying — Natives reach for this when they are physically holding their breath, waiting for a secret to either be discovered or safely buried. It’s deeply tied to the social pressure of '눈치' (nunchi)—that constant calibration of whether your current expression is betraying a hidden truth to a superior or a partner. Learners often mistake this for simple 'nervousness,' but in this context, it’s specifically about the high-stakes performance of acting 'normal' while your insides are screaming, often to protect the harmony of a relationship or maintain face in a rigid hierarchy.
◆ watching_clumsiness — When you use '조마조마하다' in this context, you aren't just feeling nervous; you are projecting a protective, almost parental '정' (affectionate attachment) onto the person's performance. It signals that you are mentally participating in their struggle, often because their clumsiness threatens the social harmony of the room. Learners often mistake this for simple 'worry,' but in Korea, it carries a heavy undercurrent of hierarchy: if you say this to a superior, it sounds condescending or arrogant, as if you’re judging their competence. Use it sparingly with those of higher rank, as it implies you are the one with the steady hands and they are the one in danger of losing '체면' (face).
◆ secret_carrying — Natives reach for this when they are physically holding their breath, waiting for a secret to either be discovered or safely buried. It’s deeply tied to the social pressure of '눈치' (nunchi)—that constant calibration of whether your current expression is betraying a hidden truth to a superior or a partner. Learners often mistake this for simple 'nervousness,' but in this context, it’s specifically about the high-stakes performance of acting 'normal' while your insides are screaming, often to protect the harmony of a relationship or maintain face in a rigid hierarchy.
◆ watching_clumsiness — When you use '조마조마하다' in this context, you aren't just feeling nervous; you are projecting a protective, almost parental '정' (affectionate attachment) onto the person's performance. It signals that you are mentally participating in their struggle, often because their clumsiness threatens the social harmony of the room. Learners often mistake this for simple 'worry,' but in Korea, it carries a heavy undercurrent of hierarchy: if you say this to a superior, it sounds condescending or arrogant, as if you’re judging their competence. Use it sparingly with those of higher rank, as it implies you are the one with the steady hands and they are the one in danger of losing '체면' (face).
How it's actually used
- 아슬아슬하게 승부 페널티킥을 보는 내내 너무 조마조마했다.
aseulaseulhage seongbu penealtikigeul boneun naenae neomu jomajomahaetda.
Watching the penalty shootout was so nerve-wracking the entire time.
💡 Great for sports, games, or high-stakes viewing. - 아이가 혼자 자전거를 처음 타는데 넘어질까 봐 조마조마해 죽는 줄 알았다.
aiga honja jajeongeoreul cheoeum taneunji neomeojilkka bwa jomajomahae jukneun jul aratda.
My kid was riding a bike alone for the first time, and I was so anxious they'd fall that I thought my heart would stop.
💡 Use '~을까 봐 조마조마하다' to fear a specific bad outcome. - 면접 결과를 기다리는 동안 마음이 너무 조마조마했다.
myeonjeop gygolwareul gidarineun dongan maeumi neomu jomajomahaetda.
While waiting for the interview results, my heart was pounding with nervousness.
💡 Use when nervously anticipating an impending outcome.
Related words in Anxiety & Uncertainty
아슬아슬하다 a-seul-a-seul-ha-da캄캄하다 kam-kam-ha-da뒤숭숭하다 dwi-sung-sung-ha-da찝찝하다 jjip-jjip-ha-da막막하다 mang-mak-ha-da