간지럽히다
ganjireophida
The English verb "tickle" is translated into Korean as 간지럽히다 (ganjireophida).
간지럽히다 is used to describe the active motion of touching someone or something in a way that causes a tingling sensation.
Meaning: to touch in a manner that causes tingling sensation (verb)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the action and the sensation. Use 간지럽히다 to express the action "to tickle (someone)", but use the adjective 간지럽다 to say "to be ticklish" or "I am ticklish". Additionally, when you want to describe a third person's reaction to being tickled, you often use the form 간지러워하다 to express that they are acting as if they are ticklish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 간지럽히다 describes the act of tickling, whereas the adjective 간지럽다 is used to describe the sensation of being ticklish.
How do you pronounce it?
ganjireophida
Did you know?
- The word 간지럽다 is often used to describe the itchy sensation of a wool sweater or a bug bite, which English speakers typically distinguish from being tickled.
- In Korean, the word for 'to be ticklish', 간지럽다, can also be used metaphorically to mean that something is 'sweet and cringeworthy', such as a cheesy romance in a movie.
- In Korean, the word 간지럽다 is used not only for physical tickling but also to describe the 'tingly' feeling of nervousness or embarrassment when someone praises you.
Examples in context
- 너무 못 참겠어! 간지럽히지 마!I can't stand it anymore! Don't tickle me!
- 영화를 보면서 친구를 가끔씩 간지럽히는 걸 좋아해.I enjoy occasionally tickling my friends while watching movies.
