Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
눈이 부시다 nuni busida
Physically blinding to look at, like raw sunlight bouncing off fresh snow or high-noon chrome.
What does 눈이 부시다 mean?
눈이 부시다 (nuni busida) means: Physically blinding to look at, like raw sunlight bouncing off fresh snow or high-noon chrome.
Speakers use this expression when bright light causes temporary visual discomfort or makes it difficult to keep the eyes open. It is commonly used in outdoor settings on extremely sunny days or when facing sudden glare. The combination typically involves the noun 눈 (eye) as the subject paired with 부시다.
Depending on the physical context, this can convey an immediate, involuntary bodily reaction to harsh light rather than a purely aesthetic impression.
Depending on the physical context, this can convey an immediate, involuntary bodily reaction to harsh light rather than a purely aesthetic impression.
Other sides of 눈이 부시다
◆ Breathtaking Visual Perfection — Speakers use this expression when describing a person's exceptional appearance or a landscape that is overwhelmingly gorgeous. It functions as a descriptive predicate for sights that temporarily stun the viewer with their brilliance. It appears in both casual and polite speech depending on the setting and the speaker's relationship with the listener.
Among younger speakers and in popular media, this can carry a heightened, almost hyperbolic romantic intensity, describing someone whose appearance stops time.
◆ Overwhelming Awe of Success — Speakers use this figurative expression when someone's exceptional success, rapid rise, or striking prosperity makes comparison feel daunting or blinding. It turns up in discussions about career milestones, immense wealth, or enviable life trajectories. It is frequently applied to a person's future prospects or dazzling accomplishments.
Among speakers describing another person's extraordinary success, this can feel like an expression of awe mixed with a slight sense of personal inadequacy or intimidation by comparison.
Among younger speakers and in popular media, this can carry a heightened, almost hyperbolic romantic intensity, describing someone whose appearance stops time.
◆ Overwhelming Awe of Success — Speakers use this figurative expression when someone's exceptional success, rapid rise, or striking prosperity makes comparison feel daunting or blinding. It turns up in discussions about career milestones, immense wealth, or enviable life trajectories. It is frequently applied to a person's future prospects or dazzling accomplishments.
Among speakers describing another person's extraordinary success, this can feel like an expression of awe mixed with a slight sense of personal inadequacy or intimidation by comparison.
🎙️ 눈이 부시다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [누니 부시다]로 소리나요 (연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 햇살이 너무 강해서 눈이 부시다.
haes-sal-i neo-mu gang-hae-seo nun-i bu-si-da.
The sunlight is so strong that it dazzles the eyes.
💡 Describing intense sunlight outdoors. - 하얀 눈에 빛이 반사되어 눈이 부시다.
ha-yan nun-e bit-i ban-sa-doe-eo nun-i bu-si-da.
The light reflects off the white snow, making it dazzling to the eyes.
💡 Describing glare from snow. - 아침 햇살이 창문을 통해 들어와 눈이 부시다.
a-chim haes-sal-i chang-mun-eul tong-hae deure-wa nun-i bu-si-da.
The morning sunlight comes through the window and dazzles my eyes.
💡 Describing morning light indoors.
Related words in Social Situations
옥신 ok-sin오르지 못할 나무는 쳐다도 보지 마라 Oreuji mothal namuneun chyeodado boji mara파김치가 되다 Pa-gimchiga doeda폭풍 pok-pung뻔하다 ppeon-ha-da