Nuance Dictionary / Time Pressure & 'Ppal-i Ppal-i'
타이밍(을 맞추다) ta-i-ming
Nailing the exact right timing; highly valued in Korean social dynamics
What does 타이밍(을 맞추다) mean?
타이밍(을 맞추다) (ta-i-ming) means: Nailing the exact right timing; highly valued in Korean social dynamics.
In Korea, stepping in, bowing out, or speaking up at the exact right 'timing' is a survival skill.
🎙️ 타이밍을 맞추다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [타이밍을 맏추다]로 소리나요 (받침규칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 상사 기분 좋을 때를 맞춰서 타이밍 기가 막히게 휴가 신청했지.
Sangsa gibun jo-eul ttaereul majchwoseo taiming giga mak-hige hyuga sincheonghaetji.
I nailed the timing and requested my vacation right when my boss was in a good mood.
💡 Shows social savvy and situational awareness. - 아이고, 질문하려고 했는데 타이밍을 놓쳐버렸네.
Aigo, jilmunharyago haetneunde taiming-eul nochyeobeoryeonne.
Ah, I was going to ask a question, but I missed the exact right moment.
💡 Used when missing a crucial window of opportunity. - 상사 기분이 안 좋을 때는 눈치껏 타이밍을 잘 맞춰야 혼나지 않는다.
sangsa gibuni an joeul ttaeneun nunchikkeot taimingeul jal majchwoya honnaji anneunda.
When the boss is in a bad mood, you have to read the room and nail the timing to avoid getting scolded.
💡 Emphasizes the social skill of sensing the right moment in Korean hierarchy.
Related words in Time Pressure & 'Ppal-i Ppal-i'
촉박하다 chok-bak-ha-da임박하다 im-bak-ha-da벼락치기(하다) byeo-rak-chi-gi닥치다 dak-chi-da여유롭다 yeo-yu-rop-da