Nuance Dictionary / Emotions & Feelings
눈살을 찌푸리다 Nun-sal-eul jji-pu-ri-da
To visibly signal collective moral discomfort or social disapproval toward someone's inappropriate behavior.
What does 눈살을 찌푸리다 mean?
눈살을 찌푸리다 (Nun-sal-eul jji-pu-ri-da) means: To visibly signal collective moral discomfort or social disapproval toward someone's inappropriate behavior.
Speakers use this expression to describe the collective or individual reaction of observers who witness behavior they find socially unacceptable or rude. It appears in contexts discussing public etiquette, controversial actions, or poor manners, often signaling that a line of propriety has been crossed. The phrase typically functions as a descriptive report of bystanders' visible displeasure.
Depending on the context, this can feel like a heavy social sanction, framing the subject as having violated community standards rather than merely causing annoyance.
Depending on the context, this can feel like a heavy social sanction, framing the subject as having violated community standards rather than merely causing annoyance.
Other sides of 눈살을 찌푸리다
◆ Physical Discomfort — Speakers use this physical expression to describe the involuntary furrowing of the brow caused by harsh environmental conditions or bodily discomfort. The phrase centers on the physical reaction of the face reacting to an unpleasant physical stimulus. It appears in contexts describing literal sensory overload rather than emotional reactions.
When used in this purely physical sense, it can read as a direct, unmediated bodily response to discomfort rather than an expression of judgment.
◆ Internal Worry — Speakers rely on this expression to describe the physical reaction of the brow contracting when someone encounters a difficult problem or internal worry. It points directly to the visible micro-expression of a troubled mind deep in thought. It appears most frequently in descriptive narratives rather than direct address.
Depending on the context, this can read as a sympathetic portrayal of intense concentration or quiet suffering, focusing attention inward rather than onto others.
When used in this purely physical sense, it can read as a direct, unmediated bodily response to discomfort rather than an expression of judgment.
◆ Internal Worry — Speakers rely on this expression to describe the physical reaction of the brow contracting when someone encounters a difficult problem or internal worry. It points directly to the visible micro-expression of a troubled mind deep in thought. It appears most frequently in descriptive narratives rather than direct address.
Depending on the context, this can read as a sympathetic portrayal of intense concentration or quiet suffering, focusing attention inward rather than onto others.
🎙️ 눈살을 찌푸리다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [눈사를 찌푸리다]로 소리나요 (연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 공공장소에서의 무례한 행동에 사람들은 눈살을 찌푸렸다.
gong-gong-jang-so-e-seo-ui mu-rye-han haeng-dong-e sa-ram-deul-eun nun-sal-eul jji-pu-ryeot-da.
People knitted their brows in disapproval at the rude behavior in the public place.
💡 A description of bystanders reacting to poor public manners. - 그의 이기적인 태도를 보고 모두가 눈살을 찌푸렸다.
geu-ui i-gi-jeok-in tae-do-reul bo-go mo-du-ga nun-sal-eul jji-pu-ryeot-da.
Everyone knitted their brows upon seeing his selfish attitude.
💡 A reaction to unacceptable social behavior. - 무책임한 발언에 주변 사람들이 눈살을 찌푸렸다.
mu-chaek-im-han bal-eon-e ju-byeon sa-ram-deul-eun nun-sal-eul jji-pu-ryeot-da.
Those around knitted their brows at the irresponsible remark.
💡 A response to socially objectionable speech.
Related words in Emotions & Feelings
눈에 밟히다 Nune balpida눈물이 나다 nunmuri nada피도 눈물도 없다 pido nunmoldo eopda설마 seolma심심하다 sim-sim-ha-da