A2 Idiom محايد

눈총을 받다

nunchong-eul batda

Receive a glare/Criticism

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this when you've done something socially awkward or wrong and people are glaring at you with disapproval.

  • Means: To be the target of sharp, disapproving glares or public criticism.
  • Used in: Public transport, quiet offices, or family gatherings after a mistake.
  • Don't confuse: With '눈길을 끌다' which means to attract positive or neutral attention.
🤫 + 🔊 = 😠👀 (Loud noise in a library = receiving eye-guns)

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means people are looking at you because you did something bad or loud. '눈' is eye. '총' is like a gun. So, it is like 'eye-guns.' If you talk loudly in a library, people look at you with angry eyes. You 'receive' (받다) those eyes. It is a very common way to say people are unhappy with you.
In Korea, social rules are important. When you break a rule, like eating loudly or being late, people might not say anything, but they will glare at you. This is called '눈총을 받다.' It literally means 'to receive eye-guns.' It's an idiom used when you feel uncomfortable because others are judging you silently with their eyes.
This idiom describes the experience of being the target of collective disapproval. The word '총' (gun) emphasizes that the glares feel sharp and painful. It is commonly used in situations where someone's behavior is inconsiderate or goes against social norms. For example, if a student sleeps during a very important lecture, they might receive 'nunchong' from the professor and other students.
‘눈총을 받다’ is a quintessential Korean idiom reflecting the culture's emphasis on non-verbal communication. It signifies being subjected to stinging, critical glares from others. The metaphor of a 'gun' (총) suggests that a look can be as piercing as a bullet. It is often used in professional contexts to describe a colleague who is underperforming or in social contexts where someone is being culturally insensitive.
This expression encapsulates the sociolinguistic dynamics of 'social policing' in Korea. By using the passive verb '받다' (to receive), the speaker highlights the psychological pressure exerted by the collective gaze. It is an essential phrase for discussing social etiquette, public morality, and the concept of 'Chemyeon' (face). The intensity can be heightened with the adjective '따가운' (stinging), illustrating the visceral physical reaction to social ostracization.
The idiom '눈총을 받다' serves as a profound entry point into the study of Korean proxemics and high-context social regulation. It denotes the reception of hostile ocular projectiles, a metaphor that aligns with the historical concept of 'Gi' (energy) being projected through the eyes. Linguistically, it functions as a social corrective mechanism, where the 'eye-gun' acts as a deterrent against deviant behavior within a collectivist framework, maintaining the delicate balance of 'Gibun' (mood/feeling) through silent but potent condemnation.

المعنى

To be stared at disapprovingly or criticized by others.

🌍

خلفية ثقافية

In Korea, 'public etiquette' (공공예절) is strictly monitored by the public. Silence in subways and libraries is highly valued. 'Nunchong' acts as a silent social contract enforcer. The 'eye-gun' is a common tool in hierarchical office cultures. A subordinate who doesn't follow the 'atmosphere' of the team might receive silent glares from seniors instead of direct feedback. Historically, the eyes were seen as the window to one's 'Gi' (energy). A 'nunchong' was literally a 'shot of bad energy' intended to make the recipient feel ashamed. The term is now used for 'cyber-glares' or public shaming online. When a celebrity posts something controversial, they are said to be receiving the 'nunchong' of the netizens.

💡

Use '따가운' for emphasis

If you want to say the glares were really intense, add '따가운' (stinging) before '눈총'.

⚠️

Don't use for praise

Even if everyone is looking at you because you are beautiful, never use '눈총.' It is strictly for negative attention.

المعنى

To be stared at disapprovingly or criticized by others.

💡

Use '따가운' for emphasis

If you want to say the glares were really intense, add '따가운' (stinging) before '눈총'.

⚠️

Don't use for praise

Even if everyone is looking at you because you are beautiful, never use '눈총.' It is strictly for negative attention.

💬

Silence is the key

Remember that 'nunchong' is usually silent. If someone is shouting at you, use '혼나다' (to get scolded) instead.

اختبر نفسك

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.

지하철에서 크게 떠들다가 사람들의 ( ) 받았다.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 눈총을

When you make noise in a quiet place like a subway, you receive 'eye-guns' (disapproving glares).

Complete the dialogue naturally.

A: 어제 회식 때 왜 그렇게 일찍 갔어? B: 일이 좀 있어서... 근데 부장님한테 ( ).

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 눈총을 받았어

B is the one who left early and received the glare from the boss.

Which situation best fits the phrase '눈총을 받다'?

다음 중 '눈총을 받다'가 가장 잘 어울리는 상황은?

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 조용한 카페에서 큰 소리로 웃을 때

Laughing loudly in a quiet cafe is a social faux pas that attracts glares.

🎉 النتيجة: /3

وسائل تعلم بصرية

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, it is a metaphor. It describes a look that feels as sharp as a bullet.

Yes, you can say '부장님의 눈총을 받았다' if your boss glared at you for a mistake.

'시선' is a neutral word for 'gaze.' '눈총' is always a negative, critical glare.

Yes, it is very common in news articles and essays to describe public disapproval.

Use the active form: '나는 그에게 눈총을 주었다.'

The word itself implies a collective or repeated action, so you don't need to pluralize it.

Because a sharp look 'pierces' the person, much like a bullet or a needle tip.

No, it is a standard idiom that has been used for a long time.

You can say '부모님의 눈총을 받았다.' It's very natural.

Usually, yes, but it can also mean general social criticism even if you don't see the eyes.

عبارات ذات صلة

🔗

눈총을 주다

contrast

To glare at someone disapprovingly.

🔗

눈총을 사다

similar

To earn/buy glares.

🔄

따가운 시선

synonym

A stinging gaze.

🔗

눈길을 끌다

contrast

To attract attention/eyes.

أين تستخدمها

📚

In a Library

A: 야, 여기서 전화 받으면 어떡해?

B: 미안, 급해서... 사람들 눈총을 너무 많이 받았어.

informal
💼

Office Overtime

부장: 김 대리, 벌써 퇴근하나?

김 대리: 네, 일이 끝나서요. (동료들의 눈총을 받으며 나간다)

neutral
🚌

Public Transport

승객 1: (크게 음악을 듣는 사람을 보며) 진짜 시끄럽네.

승객 2: 그러게요. 저 사람 눈총을 좀 받아야 정신 차릴 텐데.

informal
🍚

Family Dinner

엄마: 너 또 반찬 투정하니?

나: 아니에요... (할머니의 눈총을 받고 조용히 먹는다)

informal
🎬

Movie Theater

친구: 너 아까 핸드폰 불빛 때문에 눈총 엄청 받았어.

나: 몰랐어, 정말 미안해.

informal
🎤

Job Interview

지원자: (면접 중에 핸드폰이 울림)

면접관: (따가운 눈총을 보냄)

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Eye-Guns'. When you do something wrong, people's eyes turn into guns and shoot you with glares.

Visual Association

Imagine standing in a quiet library and your phone starts ringing a loud heavy metal song. Suddenly, everyone around you turns their heads, and their eyes literally turn into small laser pistols pointing at you.

Rhyme

눈총을 받으면, 마음이 아파요 (When you receive eye-guns, your heart hurts).

Story

Min-su was very hungry, so he started eating a smelly burger on the quiet bus. Suddenly, he felt a 'stinging' sensation on his neck. He looked up and saw five elderly people staring at him with sharp, angry eyes. He realized he was 'receiving eye-guns' (눈총을 받다) and quickly put the burger away.

Word Web

눈 (Eye)총 (Gun)받다 (Receive)따갑다 (Stinging)시선 (Gaze)비난 (Criticism)눈치 (Social sense)체면 (Face)

تحدٍّ

Go to a public place (or imagine one) and identify one behavior that would definitely cause someone to 'receive eye-guns' (눈총을 받다). Write a sentence about it in Korean.

In Other Languages

English moderate

To get the stink eye / To be under fire

English uses 'stink' (smell) while Korean uses 'gun' (projectile).

Japanese high

白い目で見られる (Shiroi me de mirareru)

Japanese focuses on the 'white' of the eye, Korean on the 'sharpness' of the gaze.

Chinese high

遭白眼 (Zāo báiyǎn)

Chinese uses 'encounter' (遭) while Korean uses 'receive' (받다).

Spanish moderate

Mirar con malos ojos

Spanish focuses on the quality of the eyes (bad), Korean on the weapon-like nature (gun).

French moderate

Voir d'un mauvais œil

French is more about the perspective of the observer, Korean is about the impact on the victim.

German high

Böse Blicke ernten

German uses 'harvesting' as a metaphor, Korean uses 'receiving a shot'.

Arabic partial

نظرة شزر (Nazrat shazar)

Arabic focuses on the angle and sharpness, Korean on the projectile metaphor.

Portuguese low

Olhar de rabo de olho

Portuguese focuses on the physical part of the eye used.

Easily Confused

눈총을 받다 مقابل 눈치를 채다

Both involve '눈' (eye) and social situations.

'눈치를 채다' means to 'notice' or 'get a hint,' while '눈총을 받다' is about being glared at.

눈총을 받다 مقابل 눈을 맞추다

Both involve eyes.

'눈을 맞추다' means to make eye contact (often romantic or friendly), while '눈총' is always negative.

الأسئلة الشائعة (10)

No, it is a metaphor. It describes a look that feels as sharp as a bullet.

Yes, you can say '부장님의 눈총을 받았다' if your boss glared at you for a mistake.

'시선' is a neutral word for 'gaze.' '눈총' is always a negative, critical glare.

Yes, it is very common in news articles and essays to describe public disapproval.

Use the active form: '나는 그에게 눈총을 주었다.'

The word itself implies a collective or repeated action, so you don't need to pluralize it.

Because a sharp look 'pierces' the person, much like a bullet or a needle tip.

No, it is a standard idiom that has been used for a long time.

You can say '부모님의 눈총을 받았다.' It's very natural.

Usually, yes, but it can also mean general social criticism even if you don't see the eyes.

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