오글거리다
ogeulgeorida
The English phrase "cringe" (referring to secondhand embarrassment) is expressed in Korean as 오글거리다 (ogeulgeorida).
오글거리다 is used to describe the feeling of secondhand embarrassment caused by someone acting overly sentimental, cheesy or awkward.
Meaning: secondhand embarrassment (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 오글거리다 literally describes the sensation of something shrinking, curling or contracting, like skin or fabric.
Which one should you use?
In internet slang, the verb is often shortened to the noun-like form 오글 to express a sudden sense of cringe.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal, conversational form of the verb is 오글거려.
How do you pronounce it?
ogeulgeorida
Did you know?
- The phrase is often applied to 손발이 오글거리다, which literally means 'one's hands and feet are curling up' from the embarrassment.
- In Korean internet culture, the syllable 오글 can be repeated as 오글오글 to intensify the feeling of secondhand embarrassment.
- The term 오글거리다 is frequently used in the 'cringe-watching' of old diaries or childhood letters, where the past self's sincerity now feels embarrassing.
Examples in context
- 너무 오글거려!It's so cringey!
