Nuance Dictionary / Social Awkwardness
서먹하다 seo-meok-ha-da
Feeling socially awkward or distant with someone you know but aren't close to
What does 서먹하다 mean?
서먹하다 (seo-meok-ha-da) means: Feeling socially awkward or distant with someone you know but aren't close to.
You know them, but you don't *know* them. If you are left alone in a room with a coworker you only say 'hello' to, the air becomes heavy and neither of you knows what to say. That specific silence is '서먹하다'.
🎙️ 서먹하다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [서머카다]로 소리나요 (격음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 오랜만에 연락한 거라 조금 서먹할 줄 알았는데 똑같더라고.
oranmane yeonrakhan geora jogum seomeokal jul arannende ttokgatdeorago.
Since we hadn't talked in a while, I thought it would be a bit awkward, but it was just the same.
💡 Used for distance between acquaintances. - 팀이 바뀌고 나서 새 사수분과 아직은 좀 서먹서먹해.
timi bakkwigo naseo sae sasubungwa ajigeun jom seomeokseomeokhae.
After my team changed, things are still a bit distant and awkward with my new mentor.
💡 Repeated as '서먹서먹하다' for emphasis. - 팀장님하고 단둘이 엘리베이터를 탔는데 무슨 말을 해야 할지 몰라서 너무 서먹했다.
timjang-nim-hago danduri ellebeiteo-reul tat-neun-de museun mal-eul heya hal-ji mollaseo neomu seomeok-haet-da.
I ended up in the elevator all alone with my team leader and didn't know what to say, so it was super awkward.
💡 Describes the slight chill or distance between people who aren't close yet.