똑똑
ttok-ttok
The English phrase "knock knock" is translated into Korean as 똑똑 (ttok-ttok).
똑똑 is an onomatopoeia used to represent the sound of knocking on a door or a hard surface.
How do you pronounce it?
ttok-ttok
Did you know?
- While 똑똑 represents the sound of knocking, the word 똑똑하다 means 'to be smart'. This creates a playful pun in Korean where someone might describe a clever person as sounding like a knock on the door.
- In Korean culture, knocking 똑똑 on a door is often accompanied by a soft call of 계세요?, which asks 'Are you there?' It is considered more polite to use a verbal check than to rely on the knocking sound alone.
- The phrase 똑똑 belongs to a vast category of 'sound-symbolic' words in Korean that can describe abstract things like textures and feelings.
Examples in context
- 똑똑 똑똑!Knock knock!
- 누구세요?Who is it?
- 네, 들어오세요.Yes, come in.
- 똑똑, 누구 계세요?ttokttok, nugu gyeseyo?Knock knock, is anyone there?
- 문을 똑똑 두드렸어요.muneul ttokttok dudeuryeosseoyo.I knocked on the door.
- 똑똑 소리가 들려요.ttokttok soriga deullyeoyo.I hear a knock-knock sound.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is visiting Dohyun's room.
- 서연 Seo-yeon똑똑, 도현아 안에 있어?ttok ttok, Dohyuna ane isseo?Knock knock, Dohyun, are you inside?
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 들어와 서연아.eung, deureowa Seoyeona.Yes, come in Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon잠깐만 기다려, 지금 갈게.jamkkanman gidaryeo, jigeum galge.Wait a moment, I'm coming now.
- 도현 Do-hyeon천천히 와도 돼.cheoncheonhi wado dwae.You can take your time.
