Nuance Dictionary / Pressure & Weight
움찔 um-jjil
Flinching or shrinking back momentarily from shock, pain, or guilt
What does 움찔 mean?
움찔 (um-jjil) means: Flinching or shrinking back momentarily from shock, pain, or guilt.
Similar to 흠칫, but emphasizes the shrinking or pulling back motion of the body.
How it's actually used
- 차가 갑자기 튀어나와서 나도 모르게 몸이 움찔했다.
Chaga gapjagi twieonawaseo nado moreuge momi umjillatda.
A car suddenly popped out, so my body flinched back on its own.
💡 Emphasizes a physical flinch or recoil from shock. - 엄마가 화난 표정으로 쳐다보길래 움찔했어요.
Eommaga hwanan pyojeongeuro chyeodabogillae umjilhaetseoyo.
I shrank back a bit because my mom was glaring at me with an angry face.
💡 Used when caught off guard or feeling guilty. - 엄마가 화를 내실 때마다 나도 모르게 움찔하게 된다.
eommaga hwaereul naesil ttaemada nado moreuge umjjilhage doenda.
Whenever my mom gets angry, I instinctively flinch without realizing it.
💡 Captures a physical shrinking or pulling back out of fear or guilt.
Related words in Pressure & Weight
묵묵히 mung-mu-khi꾹꾹 kkuk-kkuk꽉꽉 kkwak-kkwak빽빽(하다) ppaek-ppaek-ha-da헐렁헐렁 heol-leong-heol-leong