쉿
swit[ʃʰɥit̚]
The English phrase "sh" (self-harm) is translated into Korean as 쉿 (swit).
The term 쉿 is used as a noun to refer to self-harm.
Meaning: self-harm (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
swit
Did you know?
- If you use 쉿 to mean self-harm in a normal conversation, most Koreans will simply think you are telling them to be quiet.
- In Korean, the word 쉿 is also the standard onomatopoeia used to tell someone to 'shh' or be quiet. It is a phonetic representation of a silencing sound.
- While the gesture of a finger to the lips accompanies 쉿, doing so to a superior in Korea can be seen as an overly aggressive or improper gesture.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about mental health.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지야, 요즘 많이 힘드니?Minji-ya, yo-jeum mani him-deuni?Minji, are you having a hard time lately?
- 민지 Min-ji사실 쉿을 했어.sasil switeul haesseo.Actually, I self-harmed.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 걱정된다. 같이 병원에 가자.jeongmal geok-jeong-doenda. gati byeong-wone gaja.I'm really worried. Let's go to the clinic together.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워, 현우야.gomawo, Hyeon-u-ya.Thank you, Hyeon-u.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 쉿, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
