Nuance Dictionary / Social Awkwardness
뻘쭘하다 ppeol-jjum-ha-da
Feeling incredibly awkward, out of place, and foolish in a social situation
What does 뻘쭘하다 mean?
뻘쭘하다 (ppeol-jjum-ha-da) means: Feeling incredibly awkward, out of place, and foolish in a social situation.
Imagine waving enthusiastically at someone across the street, only to realize they were waving at the person behind you. Your hand freezes in the air. At that moment, you are absolutely '뻘쭘하다'.
How it's actually used
- 아무도 아는 사람이 없어서 혼자 구석에 서 있으니까 진짜 뻘쭘했어.
amudo aneun sarami eopseseo honja guseoge seo isseunikka jinjja ppeoljjumhaesseo.
There was nobody I knew, so standing alone in the corner felt super awkward.
💡 Very casual slang for feeling foolish and out of place. - 인사했는데 상대방이 못 보고 지나쳐서 완전 뻘쭘했잖아.
insahaetneunde sangdaebangi mot bogo jinachyeoseo wanjeon ppeoljjumhaetjana.
I said hello, but they didn't see me and walked past—talk about awkward!
💡 Used when your friendly gesture goes unacknowledged. - 약속 장소에 혼자 먼저 도착해서 벽보고 서 있는데 진짜 엄청 뻘쭘했다.
yaksok jangso-e honja meonjeo dochak-haeseo byeok-bogo seo inneun-de jinjja eomcheong ppoljjum-haet-da.
I arrived at the meeting spot all by myself first and stood there staring at the wall, and it felt so painfully awkward.
💡 Commonly used when you are standing alone or feeling out of place in a social vacuum.