A2 Idiom Neutral

눈을 맞추다

nun-eul matchuda

Make eye contact

Bedeutung

To look directly into someone's eyes.

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Kultureller Hintergrund

In traditional Confucian culture, direct eye contact with elders was seen as 'challenging' or 'rude'. Modern Koreans, however, value eye contact in professional and romantic settings as a sign of sincerity ({진심|眞心}). Similar to Korea, Japan has a history of avoiding direct eye contact to show respect. They often look at the 'neck' or 'tie' instead of the eyes during formal conversations. Eye contact is often equated with honesty and confidence. A lack of eye contact might be interpreted as lying or being suspicious. Eye contact rules can be very gender-specific. Prolonged eye contact between opposite genders who are not related can be seen as inappropriate in conservative settings.

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The 3-Second Rule

When '눈을 맞추다' in Korea, holding it for about 3 seconds then looking slightly away is considered natural and polite.

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Don't Stare

There is a difference between '눈을 맞추다' (matching eyes) and '노려보다' (staring/glaring). Keep your expression soft.

Bedeutung

To look directly into someone's eyes.

💡

The 3-Second Rule

When '눈을 맞추다' in Korea, holding it for about 3 seconds then looking slightly away is considered natural and polite.

⚠️

Don't Stare

There is a difference between '눈을 맞추다' (matching eyes) and '노려보다' (staring/glaring). Keep your expression soft.

🎯

Use with a Smile

Matching eyes while smiling slightly is the 'gold standard' for friendly communication in Korea.

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Hierarchy Matters

If you are much younger, don't '눈을 맞추다' too intensely with a superior; a soft gaze is better.

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the blank with the correct form of '눈을 맞추다'.

아이와 대화할 때는 ( ) 것이 중요합니다.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 눈을 맞추는

The sentence requires the active form 'making eye contact' as a subject phrase.

Which sentence describes an ACCIDENTAL meeting of eyes?

Choose the correct sentence.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 지하철에서 낯선 사람과 눈이 마주쳤어요.

'눈이 마주치다' is used for accidental or passive eye contact.

Complete the dialogue naturally.

가: 왜 그렇게 땅만 보고 있어? 나: 부끄러워서 ( ).

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 눈을 맞출 수 없어

If someone is looking at the ground because they are shy, they 'cannot make eye contact'.

Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.

Situation: A teacher wants to make sure students are paying attention.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 학생들과 눈을 맞추며 설명한다.

Active eye contact is a teaching strategy to ensure engagement.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Active vs. Passive Eye Contact

눈을 맞추다 (Active)
Intentional 의도적
To connect 교감하기 위해
눈이 마주치다 (Passive)
Accidental 우연히
By chance 어쩌다가

Aufgabensammlung

4 Aufgaben
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '눈을 맞추다'. Fill Blank A2

아이와 대화할 때는 ( ) 것이 중요합니다.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 눈을 맞추는

The sentence requires the active form 'making eye contact' as a subject phrase.

Which sentence describes an ACCIDENTAL meeting of eyes? Choose B1

Choose the correct sentence.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 지하철에서 낯선 사람과 눈이 마주쳤어요.

'눈이 마주치다' is used for accidental or passive eye contact.

Complete the dialogue naturally. dialogue_completion A2

가: 왜 그렇게 땅만 보고 있어? 나: 부끄러워서 ( ).

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 눈을 맞출 수 없어

If someone is looking at the ground because they are shy, they 'cannot make eye contact'.

Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase. situation_matching B1

Situation: A teacher wants to make sure students are paying attention.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 학생들과 눈을 맞추며 설명한다.

Active eye contact is a teaching strategy to ensure engagement.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Häufig gestellte Fragen

14 Fragen

No, it's used in many contexts like teaching, job interviews, and sincere apologies. However, it is a very common trope in romantic songs.

'눈을 보다' simply means to look at the eyes. '눈을 맞추다' implies a mutual connection or an active effort to connect.

Yes! '강아지와 눈을 맞추다' is a very common expression for bonding with pets.

It's much more acceptable now than in the past, but it's still polite to avoid a 'staring contest'. A gentle gaze is best.

Use '눈이 마주쳤다'. For example: '길에서 전 남자친구와 눈이 마주쳤어.'

It can mean 'to adjust' or 'to make something fit', like '정답을 맞추다' (to get the right answer).

Yes, '눈맞춤' (nun-matchum) is the noun form, meaning 'eye contact'.

It's more of a spoken or descriptive idiom. In an email, you'd likely use '직접 뵙고 말씀 나누고 싶습니다' (I want to meet and talk in person).

This is a visual representation of '눈을 맞추다' to show the characters are falling in love or having a deep realization.

Yes, it sounds more sophisticated and is often used in novels and essays.

You can say '부끄러워서 눈을 못 맞추겠어요' (I'm too shy to make eye contact). Koreans will find this honest and cute.

Generally no, unless you do it aggressively, which would then be called '노려보다'.

In the military, looking a superior in the eye can still be seen as defiant, so '관등성명' (stating rank/name) is usually done while looking slightly ahead.

Not directly. For agreement, use '의견이 일치하다' or '뜻이 맞다'. '눈을 맞추다' is primarily physical/emotional contact.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔗

눈이 마주치다

similar

Eyes meet (accidentally)

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시선을 맞추다

synonym

To match one's gaze

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눈높이를 맞추다

builds on

To meet someone at their level

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눈을 피하다

contrast

To avoid eye contact

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눈을 붙이다

related

To take a short nap

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