능글맞다 neung-geul-mat-da

A '능글맞은' person can effortlessly joke their way out of trouble or flirt without an ounce of embarrassment. They are completely immune to awkwardness, which makes them both charismatic and suspicious.

◆ office_politics — Speakers use this to describe someone who responds to pressure or awkward situations with an unflappable, smooth, and slightly sly attitude rather than genuine panic or embarrassment. It often accompanies a relaxed facial expression, a smile, or playful small talk used to brush off criticism. In everyday descriptions, it pairs with nouns like 사람 and 웃음, or with verbs denoting actions like 굴다, 대하다, and 말하다.

In an office setting, this can feel both irritating and impressive, capturing a colleague who manages to stay completely unbothered while avoiding blame.

◆ romantic_teasing — Speakers use this to describe someone who responds to serious or romantic situations with playful evasion, smooth dodging, and shameless smiles. It frequently pairs with expressions of facial appearance or smiling, such as a sly look or a cheeky grin. It also combines with verbs describing actions done in this manner, such as acting, talking, or treating someone.

In a dating context, this kind of cheeky deflection can disarm jealousy or soften a tense moment, making it difficult to stay angry because the humor forces a reluctant smile.

◆ older_generation — Speakers use this to describe someone who sidesteps questions or obligations with a slick, evasive smile or witty remark. It appears when someone refuses to take a serious situation seriously, instead dodging responsibility with an oily charm. It frequently combines with smiles and laughter, describing an expression that feels too smooth to trust.

When applied by middle-aged or older speakers to an older man, this can paint a picture of someone who has spent decades learning how to talk his way out of trouble without ever losing his grin.

🎙️ 능글맞다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [능글맏따]로 소리나요 (경음화, 받침규칙). 발음 연습하기 →