Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
숨이 차다 Sum-i chada
To be completely out of breath and gasping for air due to heavy physical exertion.
What does 숨이 차다 mean?
숨이 차다 (Sum-i chada) means: To be completely out of breath and gasping for air due to heavy physical exertion.
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How it's actually used
- 계단을 너무 빨리 올라왔더니 숨이 차.
gyedan-eul neomu ppalli ollawatdeoni sum-i cha.
I climbed the stairs way too fast and now I'm out of breath.
💡 Reveals the instant, breathless reaction to vertical exertion like stairs. - 100미터 전력 질주를 했더니 숨이 차서 말을 못 하겠어.
baek-miteo jeonryeok jilju-reul haetdeoni sum-i cha-seo mal-eul mot hagesseo.
I sprinted 100 meters and now I'm too winded to speak.
💡 Captures the classic scenario where physical exertion temporarily steals your voice. - 숨이 차오를 때까지 달려서 그런지 다리가 후들거린다.
sum-i cha-oreul ttae-gaji dally-eoseo geureonji dari-ga hudeulgeorinda.
My legs are shaking, probably because I ran until I was completely gasping for air.
💡 Shows the variant '차오르다,' emphasizing the breath literally rising and choking you.
Related words in Social Situations
숨이 턱 막히다 sumi teok makhida티끌모아 ti-kkeul-mo-a퇴사 toe-sa애를 먹다 aereul meokda알다 alda