Onomatopoeia

Highlights from this collection

• 어슬렁어슬렁 (eo-seul-leong-eo-seul-leong) — Describes a heavy, unhurried, and slightly intimidating or lazy walk.
• 엉금엉금 (eong-geum-eong-geum) — The classic description of a slow, laborious crawl.
• 기웃기웃 (gi-ut-gi-ut) — Showing curiosity but hesitating to fully enter or engage.
• 힐끔힐끔 (hil-kkeum-hil-kkeum) — A secretive, darting look. You do this when you are self-conscious or suspect something.
• 꼬깃꼬깃 (kko-git-kko-git) — Often implies hiding something or keeping a precious but worn-out object (like crumpled allowance money).
• 꼬물꼬물 (kko-mul-kko-mul) — Evokes affection and cuteness. Often used to describe babies' fingers or toes.
• 폴짝폴짝 (pol-jjak-pol-jjak) — Full of energy, joy, and lightheartedness.
• 빼꼼 (ppae-kkom) — Very cute and cautious, like a cat peeking out from a box.
• 뽈뽈 (ppol-ppol) — Often used for small puppies or toddlers who seem to be busy doing nothing.
• 번지르르 (beon-ji-reu-reu) — A negative word for a smooth talker or a scam that looks too good on the surface.
• 듬직하다 (deum-jik-ha-da) — The ideal compliment for a dependable partner or leader. Physical broadness matching inner strength.
• 어리바리 (eo-ri-ba-ri) — The classic 'clueless rookie' vibe. Someone who is totally lost and making silly mistakes.
• 꾀죄죄하다 (kkoe-joe-joe-ha-da) — Describes someone who hasn't showered in days, wearing dirty clothes, evoking pity or disgust.
• 맹하다 (maeng-ha-da) — Describes a slightly foolish but sometimes endearing blankness.
• 멀끔하다 (meol-kkeum-ha-da) — Often implies the person looks unexpectedly sharp, handsome, or free of flaws.
• 삐쩍 (ppi-jjeok) — Usually followed by '마르다' (to be dry). It implies an alarming lack of weight.
• 토실토실 (to-sil-to-sil) — A very affectionate word for healthy, cute chubbiness. Never used as an insult.
• 똘똘하다 (ttol-ttol-ha-da) — A warm compliment for a clever kid who catches on very quickly.
• 얍삽하다 (yap-sap-ha-da) — Describes a cheap, cunning person who avoids hard work but takes all the credit.
• 아수라장 (a-su-ra-jang) — Not an onomatopoeia, but a widely used term for pure chaos, akin to hell on earth.
• 뱅글뱅글 (baeng-geul-baeng-geul) — Unlike 빙글빙글, this implies a loss of balance or feeling dizzy.
• 벌렁벌렁 (beol-leong-beol-leong) — The visible pumping of the heart or lungs when startled or exhausted.
• 빙글빙글 (bing-geul-bing-geul) — A smooth, continuous rotation. Can also describe a happy, lingering smile.
• 부랴부랴 (bu-rya-bu-rya) — The panicked haste of trying to fix a mistake or make it on time.

+ 210 more in this collection — browse the gallery above.