Nuance Dictionary / Sounds & Sensations
토닥토닥 todak-todak
A soft, rhythmic patting motion used to soothe a crying child, anchoring the word's base sensory feel of unconditional safety.
What does 토닥토닥 mean?
토닥토닥 (todak-todak) means: A soft, rhythmic patting motion used to soothe a crying child, anchoring the word's base sensory feel of unconditional safety.
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How it's actually used
- 울지 마, 토닥토닥 해줄게.
Ul-ji ma, todak-todak hae-jul-ge.
Don't cry, I'll pat your back.
💡 Reveals the direct invocation of physical comfort to instantly disarm emotional distress. - 엄마가 등을 토닥토닥 두드려 주셨다.
Eom-ma-ga deung-eul todak-todak du-deuryeo-jyeot-da.
Mom gently patted my back.
💡 Shows the classic sensory pairing of the word with a motherly back-patting gesture. - 힘들 때 누가 등을 토닥토닥 해 주면 눈물이 나.
Him-deul ttae nu-ga deung-eul todak-todak hae ju-myeon nun-muri na.
When I'm having a hard time, if someone pats my back, it makes me cry.
💡 Highlights how the word triggers an immediate release of repressed vulnerability.
Related words in Sounds & Sensations
울퉁불퉁 ultung-bultung반짝반짝 banjjak-banjjak보글보글 bo-geul-bo-geul쫄깃쫄깃 jjol-git-jjol-git몽글몽글 mong-geul-mong-geul