Nuance Dictionary / People & Relationships
센스 있다 Sense-it-da
The ability to intuitively grasp the 'unspoken' requirements of a situation, such as anticipating a superior's needs or navigating social dynamics without being explicitly told.
What does 센스 있다 mean?
센스 있다 (Sense-it-da) means: The ability to intuitively grasp the 'unspoken' requirements of a situation, such as anticipating a superior's needs or navigating social dynamics without being explicitly told.
When a Korean says someone has 'sense,' they aren't talking about common sense; they are praising an uncanny ability to read the room and execute a task before it's even assigned. It is the ultimate office compliment because it signals that you are 'nunchi-fast'—you don't just follow directions, you minimize friction for others. Learners often mistake this for mere competence, but it’s actually about emotional intelligence and proactive service.
Other sides of 센스 있다
◆ Romantic Intuition — In romance, this isn't about being 'smart'; it’s about being emotionally hyper-aware. When a Korean partner says you have 'sense,' they mean you noticed they were cold before they shivered, or you ordered their favorite drink without being prompted. Learners often mistake this for simple kindness, but it’s actually a test of observation—if you miss the 'read,' you’re seen as dense or uncaring, no matter how much you claim to love them.
◆ Social Quick-wittedness — In this context, being 'sense-it-da' isn't about being the loudest person; it’s about having the comedic timing to break tension or brighten a dull moment with a witty observation. Learners often mistake this for just being 'funny,' but for Koreans, it’s a form of high-level social intelligence that acknowledges the group's current vibe. It signals that you are someone who 'reads the room' and possesses the effortless cool to make everyone laugh exactly when they need it most.
◆ Social Quick-wittedness — In this context, being 'sense-it-da' isn't about being the loudest person; it’s about having the comedic timing to break tension or brighten a dull moment with a witty observation. Learners often mistake this for just being 'funny,' but for Koreans, it’s a form of high-level social intelligence that acknowledges the group's current vibe. It signals that you are someone who 'reads the room' and possesses the effortless cool to make everyone laugh exactly when they need it most.
🎙️ 센스 있다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [센스 읻따]로 소리나요 (경음화, 받침규칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 김 대리님은 진짜 센스 있다. 회의 때 내가 말하려고 했던 자료를 미리 준비해 주셨어.
Kim-dae-ri-nim-eun jin-jja sense-it-da. Hoe-ui-ttae nae-ga mal-ha-ryeo-go haet-deon ja-ryo-reul mi-ri jun-bi-hae ju-syeot-seo.
Assistant Manager Kim has such great sense. He had the documents I was about to mention ready before the meeting.
💡 Shows that 'sense' is recognized when you save someone else's time or effort. - 신입인데 눈치가 빠르고 센스 있어서 일 배우는 속도가 남달라.
Sin-ib-in-de nun-chi-ga ppa-reu-go sense-it-seo-seo il bae-u-neun sok-do-ga nam-dal-la.
Even though they're a rookie, their nunchi is fast and they have such sense that they learn the ropes incredibly quickly.
💡 Connects 'sense' to the ability to pick up on office culture, not just technical tasks. - 커피 사 올 때 다들 취향 맞춰서 사 온 거 봐, 완전 센스 있다!
Keo-pi sa ol ttae da-deul chwi-hyang mat-chwo-seo sa on geo bwa, wan-jeon sense-it-da!
Look at how they got everyone's coffee order exactly right—they've got such great sense!
💡 Demonstrates that 'sense' is often about small, thoughtful gestures that make the workplace flow better.
Related words in People & Relationships
식구 sik-gu속을 썩이다 Sogeul sseogida손발이 맞다 sonbari majda썸남 sseom-nam썸녀 sseom-nyeo