Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
눈독을 들이다 Nundog-eul deurida
To silently fixate on a desirable object or portion of food, mentally marking it as your own prize.
What does 눈독을 들이다 mean?
눈독을 들이다 (Nundog-eul deurida) means: To silently fixate on a desirable object or portion of food, mentally marking it as your own prize.
When you use this, you’re painting a picture of a 'predatory' yet socially restrained gaze. It captures that specific tension at a dinner table or a sample sale where you aren't grabbing the item yet, but your eyes are practically glued to it, warning others to back off. Learners often confuse this with simple 'wanting' (*원하다*), but *눈독을 들이다* is purely about the visual act of claiming territory before the physical grab.
Other sides of 눈독을 들이다
◆ Professional Ambition and Project Poaching — When used in the office, this isn't just about 'wanting' something; it’s about the calculated, silent hunger for a project or promotion that isn't technically yours yet. Natives use this to imply a mix of ambition and stealth—you are 'marking your territory' mentally while keeping a poker face. Learners often mistake this for simple desire, but in a professional setting, it carries a sharp, competitive edge that suggests you’re waiting for the right moment to strike.
🎙️ 눈독을 들이다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [눈도글 드리다]로 소리나요 (연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 마지막 남은 치킨 조각에 다들 눈독을 들이는 눈치네.
ma-ji-mak nam-eun chi-kin jo-gak-e da-deul nun-dog-eul deu-ri-neun nun-chi-ne.
I can tell everyone is eyeing that last piece of chicken.
💡 Highlights the social awareness of knowing everyone else is mentally staking a claim. - 저 가방 계속 눈독 들이고 있었는데 오늘 드디어 세일하네!
jeo ga-bang gye-sok nun-dog deu-ri-go is-seot-neun-de o-neul deu-di-eo se-il-ha-ne!
I've been eyeing that bag for so long, and it's finally on sale today!
💡 Shows the long-term, patient obsession with a coveted item. - 남의 떡에 눈독 들이지 말고 네 거나 잘해.
nam-ui tteog-e nun-dog deu-ri-ji mal-go ne geo-na jal-hae.
Stop eyeing what belongs to others and focus on your own stuff.
💡 A common idiomatic warning used when someone is being greedy about someone else's success or item.
Related words in Social Situations
눈이 부시다 nuni busida누워서 침 뱉기 Nuwoseo chim baetgi옥신 ok-sin오르지 못할 나무는 쳐다도 보지 마라 Oreuji mothal namuneun chyeodado boji mara파김치가 되다 Pa-gimchiga doeda