Nuance Dictionary / Personality Traits
소심하다 so-sim-ha-da
Timid, faint-hearted, and holding grudges over tiny things
What does 소심하다 mean?
소심하다 (so-sim-ha-da) means: Timid, faint-hearted, and holding grudges over tiny things.
Literally 'small-hearted'. A '소심한' person might spend three days worrying about a minor joke they made, or secretly hold a grudge for a year because you forgot their birthday. They lack boldness.
Other sides of 소심하다
◆ romantic self-deprecation — Speakers use this word to describe someone who lacks courage, is overly cautious, or hesitates to take bold action. It combines with nouns like 마음, 사람, 성격, and 아이, and appears in contexts where someone avoids standing out or hesitates to make a refusal. It also pairs with adverbial modification indicating excess, such as 지나치게 소심하다.
Among speakers in casual dating or social contexts, describing oneself or another person as 소심하다 can sometimes function as a playful or self-deprecating way to soften hesitation, apologize for not making the first move, or mask genuine reluctance.
◆ childhood reprimand — Speakers reach for this when describing children who lack boldness or show excessive caution in new situations. It pairs with 소심한 아이 in standard descriptions of youthful behavior. Example sentences show it applied directly to people recalling how timid they were since childhood.
When used by adults regarding childhood behavior, it can carry the weight of a gentle reprimand or a retrospective regret for having missed opportunities through fear.
Among speakers in casual dating or social contexts, describing oneself or another person as 소심하다 can sometimes function as a playful or self-deprecating way to soften hesitation, apologize for not making the first move, or mask genuine reluctance.
◆ childhood reprimand — Speakers reach for this when describing children who lack boldness or show excessive caution in new situations. It pairs with 소심한 아이 in standard descriptions of youthful behavior. Example sentences show it applied directly to people recalling how timid they were since childhood.
When used by adults regarding childhood behavior, it can carry the weight of a gentle reprimand or a retrospective regret for having missed opportunities through fear.
How it's actually used
- 내가 농담으로 한 말 때문에 그 애가 하루 종일 소심하게 삐져 있었다.
naega nongdam-uro han mal ttaemune geu aega haru jongil sosimhage ppijyeo isseotda.
Because of a joke I made, that kid sulked timidly all day long.
💡 Describes someone easily hurt or holding a grudge over a small remark. - 나는 원래 좀 소심해서 사람들 앞에만 서면 목소리가 떨려.
naneun wonrae jom sosimhaeseo saramdeul apeman seomyeon moksoriga tteollyeo.
I'm naturally a bit timid, so my voice trembles whenever I stand in front of people.
💡 Used when admitting one's shyness or cautious nature. - 너 그렇게 소심해서 어디 사회생활 제대로 하겠어?
Neo geureoke sosimhaeseo eodi sahoe-saenghwal tdaedero hagesseo?
If you're that timid, how on earth are you going to manage in society?
💡 Often used teasingly or critically toward someone overly worried about small details.
Related words in Personality Traits
야무지다 ya-mu-ji-da허술하다 heo-sul-ha-da덤벙대다 deom-beong-dae-da꼼꼼하다 kkom-kkom-ha-da털털하다 teol-teol-ha-da