Nuance Dictionary / Sensory Paradox
시원하다 si-won-ha-da
Refreshing or relieving — applied to temperature, taste, or resolving a physical/mental knot
What does 시원하다 mean?
시원하다 (si-won-ha-da) means: Refreshing or relieving — applied to temperature, taste, or resolving a physical/mental knot.
The greatest paradox in the Korean language. It literally means 'cool' or 'refreshing', but Koreans will drink boiling hot, spicy soup and loudly exclaim '아 시원하다!' (Ah, refreshing!). It refers to the internal sensation of relief and clearing out the stomach, a knot in the muscles, or even a stressful problem. If you finally get a massage or crack a tough problem, that is also '시원하다'.
How it's actually used
- 크, 뜨거운 국물 마시니까 진짜 시원하다.
Keu, tteugeoun gukmul masinikka jinjja siwonhada.
Ah, drinking this hot soup is so satisfyingly refreshing.
💡 Classic Korean expression used when eating something hot and spicy. - 숙제 다 끝냈더니 마음이 너무 시원하다.
Sukje da kkeutnaessdeoni ma-eumi neomu siwonhada.
Now that I'm done with my homework, I feel so relieved.
💡 Used when mental weight or stress is lifted. - 속이 다 뻥 뚫리네, 진짜 시원하다!
sogi da ppeong ttulline ne, jinjja siwonhada!
That clears my mind right up, feels so refreshing!
💡 Often exclaimed after solving a frustrating problem or eating something hot.
Related words in Sensory Paradox
쓰라리다 sseu-ra-ri-da후끈하다 hu-kkeun-ha-da시큰하다 si-keun-ha-da화하다 hwa-ha-da알딸딸하다 al-ttal-ttal-ha-da