Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language
눈치를 보다 nun-chi-reul bo-da
Scanning the room and reading subtle emotional cues to survive a hierarchical social space without causing friction.
What does 눈치를 보다 mean?
눈치를 보다 (nun-chi-reul bo-da) means: Scanning the room and reading subtle emotional cues to survive a hierarchical social space without causing friction.
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How it's actually used
- 상사 눈치 보느라 회식 때 마시는 둥 마시는 둥 했어요.
sang-sa nun-chi bo-neu-ra hoe-sik ttae ma-si-neun-dung ma-si-neun-dung haet-seo-yo.
I spent the whole work dinner walking on eggshells around the boss, barely tasting my drinks.
💡 Reveals how 눈치를 보다 dictates physical behavior and comfort levels in professional settings. - 눈치 보지 말고 하고 싶은 대로 해.
nun-chi bo-ji mal-go ha-go si-peun dae-ro hae.
Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and just do what you want.
💡 Shows the liberating flip side—urging someone to turn off their internal social radar. - 눈치 보면서 질문 타이밍을 재고 있어요.
nun-chi bo-myeon-seo jil-mun tai-ming-eul jae-go is-seo-yo.
I'm reading the room to figure out the right moment to ask a question.
💡 Demonstrates the high-stakes calculation required before even speaking up in a group.
Related words in Culture & Language
손민수 son-min-su숨듣명 sum-deuk-myeong탈덕 tal-deok탕후루 tang-hu-ru트민남 teu-min-nam