Nuance Dictionary / Sounds & Sensations

살살 sal-sal

Applying just the right amount of gentle, non-abrasive pressure to the body.

What does 살살 mean?

살살 (sal-sal) means: Applying just the right amount of gentle, non-abrasive pressure to the body.

🔒 The full native nuance note and audio for this card are locked. Unlock it with a token on the Nuance Dictionary — your first unlock every day is free.

Unlock on the Dictionary →

How it's actually used

  • 아이고, 거기 아파요. 조금만 살살 해줘요.
    a-i-go, geo-gi a-pa-yo. jo-geum-man sal-sal hae-jwo-yo.
    Ouch, that hurts right there. Please do it a little bit gentler.
    💡 The classic massage-table cry; combining it with '조금만' softens the complaint into a friendly request.
  • 머리 감겨줄 때 살살 감겨주는게 기술이야.
    meo-ri gam-gyeo-jwol ttae sal-sal gam-gyeo-ju-neun-ge gi-sul-i-ya.
    The real skill in washing someone's hair is keeping your touch nice and gentle.
    💡 Reveals that '살살' often describes an expert's calibrated touch rather than sheer weakness.
  • 등 시원하게 살살 좀 긁어봐.
    deung si-won-ha-ge sal-sal jom geul-geo-bwa.
    Scratch my back gently so it actually hits the spot.
    💡 Shows how '살살' achieves precision; too hard would scratch the skin, too soft would do nothing.

Related words in Sounds & Sensations

슥슥 seuk-seuk시끌시끌 si-kkeul-si-kkeul싱싱 sing-sing싱글벙글 singgeul-beonggeul속속 sok-sok

← Back to the full Nuance Dictionary