Nuance Dictionary / Sensory Paradox
시큰하다 si-keun-ha-da
A stinging tingle in the nose or joints, or a heart welling up with emotion
What does 시큰하다 mean?
시큰하다 (si-keun-ha-da) means: A stinging tingle in the nose or joints, or a heart welling up with emotion.
Physically it's the twinge in your knees before rain, or the sting in your nose right before you cry. Koreans also say '코끝이 시큰하다' (the tip of my nose stings) to describe the exact physical sensation of being about to tear up.
How it's actually used
- 비 오려고 그러는지 무릎이 시큰시큰하다.
bi oryego geureoneunji mureupi sikeunsikeunhada.
My knees are aching a bit, probably because it's going to rain.
💡 Used for a dull, aching tingle in the joints before weather changes. - 슬픈 영화를 봤더니 코끝이 시큰해지더라.
seulpeun yeonghwareul boatdeoni kokeuti sikeunhaejideora.
I watched a sad movie and my nose started tingling right before crying.
💡 Used when the nose stings from holding back tears. - 갑자기 찬 바람이 불더니 무릎이 시큰하네.
gapjagi chan baram-i buldeoni mureup-i sikeun-hane.
A cold wind suddenly started blowing and my knees are aching a bit.
💡 Often used for joints reacting to weather changes.
Related words in Sensory Paradox
화하다 hwa-ha-da알딸딸하다 al-ttal-ttal-ha-da쨍하다 jjaeng-ha-da시원하다 si-won-ha-da쓰라리다 sseu-ra-ri-da