Nuance Dictionary / Personality Traits
까칠하다 kka-chil-ha-da
Prickly, cranky, and abrasive in speech or attitude
What does 까칠하다 mean?
까칠하다 (kka-chil-ha-da) means: Prickly, cranky, and abrasive in speech or attitude.
Literally means 'rough to the touch' (like sandpaper or a stubbly beard). A '까칠한' person gets annoyed easily, speaks sharply, and is generally hard to approach. It is the signature personality of a K-Drama male lead.
How it's actually used
- 오늘 아침부터 왜 이렇게 까칠해? 무슨 일 있어?
Oneul achimbuteo wae ireoke kkachilhae? Museun il isseo?
Why are you so cranky since this morning? Is something wrong?
💡 Great for calling out a friend's sudden bad mood or sharp tone. - 그 팀장님은 성격이 너무 까칠해서 다들 눈치 봐.
Geu timjangnim-eun seong-gyeogi neomu kkachilhaeseo dadeul nunchi bwa.
That team leader has such a prickly personality that everyone walks on eggshells.
💡 Used to describe abrasive authority figures. - 오늘 아침부터 팀장님 성격이 좀 까칠해서 조심해야 돼요.
oneul achimbuteo timjangnim seonggyeogi jom kkachilhaeseo josimhaeya dwaeyo.
Team leader's personality has been a bit prickly since this morning, so we need to be careful.
💡 Used when describing someone's testy or sensitive mood for the day.
Related words in Personality Traits
얌전하다 yam-jeon-ha-da대범하다 dae-beom-ha-da소심하다 so-sim-ha-da야무지다 ya-mu-ji-da허술하다 heo-sul-ha-da