당황한
danghwanghan
The English word 'embarrassed' can be translated into Korean as 당황한 (danghwanghan).
당황한 is used to describe a person who is feeling a sense of shameful discomfort. If you want to describe a specific situation that is awkward or embarrassing rather than a person's internal state, you should use 당황스럽다 instead. For an informal way to say one is embarrassed, particularly among friends, you can use 부끄러워, which is an informal version of 부끄럽다.
Meaning: Having a feeling of shameful discomfort (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 당황한 describes being caught off guard or flustered, the word 창피하다 is used when the embarrassment stems specifically from feeling humiliated or losing face in front of others.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective form 당황한 is derived from the verb 당황하다, which means 'to be embarrassed' or 'to be flustered'.
How do you pronounce it?
danghwanghan
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, non-verbal cues such as blushing, avoiding eye contact or covering one's face are common ways to indicate that a person is feeling embarrassed.
Did you know?
- In many Korean social contexts, instead of saying 'I am embarrassed', people might use physical gestures like scratching the back of the head to signal 당황한 feelings.
- When someone is feeling the intense shame associated with 창피하다, they might use the term 체면을 잃다, which means 'to lose one's face' or 'to lose one's social standing'.
- The term 부끄러워 is often used to describe not just social embarrassment, but also a sense of moral guilt or a 'shameful' conscience.
Examples in context
- 저는 당황스럽습니다I am embarrassed.
- 너무 당황한 나머지 아무 말도 못 했어요.neomu danghwanghan namoji amudo mot haesseoyo.I was so embarrassed that I couldn't say anything.
- 그 질문을 듣고 정말 당황한 것 같아요.geu jilmunul deutgo jeongmal danghwanghan geot gatayo.I think he was really embarrassed after hearing that question.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyeon are talking about a mistake Dohyeon made at a party.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 아까 정말 당황한 것 같던데요.Dohyeon ssi, akka jeongmal danghwanghan geot gatdeondeyo.Dohyeon, you looked really embarrassed earlier.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요, 실수해서 너무 당황했어요.Majayo, silsuhaeseo neomu danghwanghaesseoyo.That's right, I was so embarrassed because I made a mistake.
- 민지 Min-ji괜찮아요, 다들 웃으며 넘겼어요.Gwaenchannayo, dadeul useumyeo neomgyeosseoyo.It's okay, everyone laughed it off.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨가 그렇게 말해주니 다행이네요.Minji ssiga geureoke malhaejuni dahaengineyo.I'm glad you said that, Minji.
