Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase when someone is staring intensely, looking determined, or trying to look sharp in a photo.
- Means: To intentionally tense your eye muscles for an intense look.
- Used in: Photos, job interviews, or when you're angry/determined.
- Don't confuse: It's not about physical strength, but visual intensity.
Erklärung auf deinem Niveau:
Bedeutung
To look at something or someone with great focus or intensity.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of 'Gi' ({기|氣}) is central. Giving strength to the eyes is seen as a way to project your 'Gi' to others, whether to lead or to defend. Fans often praise idols for their 'eye-power' during performances, using this phrase to describe their charisma on stage. In hierarchical settings, 'giving strength to the eyes' while a boss is talking can be risky; it might be seen as 'nun-kkari' (slang for staring back defiantly). The phrase is heavily associated with 'Ulzzang' (best face) culture and the effort to look perfect in social media photos.
The 'Photo' Context
If a Korean friend tells you '눈에 {힘|力} 좀 줘,' they aren't being mean! They just want you to look more alert and 'alive' in the photo.
Don't Overdo It
If you put *too* much strength in your eyes, you might look like you're glaring, which can be perceived as aggressive in social situations.
The 'Photo' Context
If a Korean friend tells you '눈에 {힘|力} 좀 줘,' they aren't being mean! They just want you to look more alert and 'alive' in the photo.
Don't Overdo It
If you put *too* much strength in your eyes, you might look like you're glaring, which can be perceived as aggressive in social situations.
Makeup Slang
You can use this to compliment someone's eye makeup: '오늘 눈에 {힘|力} 좀 줬는데?' (You really went all out on your eyes today!)
Grammar Tip
Remember to use the particle '에' after '눈'. Using '을' is a very common mistake for beginners.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct particles and verb form.
사진이 잘 나오려면 눈___ 힘___ ______ (주다 - imperative).
The correct particles are '에' and '을', and the imperative '주세요' fits the context of a request/instruction.
Match the meaning of '눈에 힘을 주다' to the situation.
Situation: A girl is applying thick eyeliner before a party.
In the context of makeup, the phrase refers to making the eyes stand out.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to show determination?
Choose the best sentence:
Studying hard to do well on an exam is a classic context for showing determination.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 면접 때 너무 긴장해서 눈을 어디에 두어야 할지 모르겠어요. B: 긴장하지 말고 면접관의 눈을 ________________.
Looking at an interviewer with 'strength in the eyes' (confidence) is the standard advice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Intensity Levels
Aufgabensammlung
5 Aufgaben사진이 잘 나오려면 눈___ 힘___ ______ (주다 - imperative).
The correct particles are '에' and '을', and the imperative '주세요' fits the context of a request/instruction.
Situation: A girl is applying thick eyeliner before a party.
In the context of makeup, the phrase refers to making the eyes stand out.
Choose the best sentence:
Studying hard to do well on an exam is a classic context for showing determination.
A: 면접 때 너무 긴장해서 눈을 어디에 두어야 할지 모르겠어요. B: 긴장하지 말고 면접관의 눈을 ________________.
Looking at an interviewer with 'strength in the eyes' (confidence) is the standard advice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot inherently. It depends on the context. Using it to describe your own determination is positive. Telling someone else to do it can be an instruction (photo) or a challenge (argument).
Yes! It's very common to say '눈에 {힘|力}을 주다' when someone has applied dramatic or very pretty eye makeup.
'눈을 크게 뜨다' is just the physical size. '눈에 {힘|力}을 주다' involves the *intensity* and *intent* behind the look.
It's a bit too idiomatic for a formal email. Better to use '열정' (passion) or '의지' (will) in writing.
Yes, usually. You wouldn't say it for just one eye unless you are a pirate.
Yes, adding '빡' (ppak) like '눈에 {힘|力} 빡 줬다' makes it very casual and emphasizes the intensity.
You can say '눈에 {힘|力}을 빼다' (to take strength out of the eyes).
Constantly. Idols are often told to 'give strength to their eyes' to look more charismatic on camera.
Yes, if a dog looks very determined or angry, you could jokingly use it.
Glaring is one of its meanings, but 'giving strength' can also be positive (determination), whereas glaring is usually negative.
Verwandte Redewendungen
눈을 부릅뜨다
similarTo open eyes wide
눈에 불을 켜다
similarTo be very eager/zealous
기싸움을 하다
builds onTo have a nerve war
눈을 피하다
contrastTo avoid eye contact
눈에 힘을 빼다
contrastTo relax one's gaze
Wo du es verwendest
Taking a Selfie
A: 야, 너 사진에서 눈이 너무 졸려 보여.
B: 그래? 그럼 눈에 {힘|力} 좀 주고 다시 찍을게.
Job Interview
Mentor: 면접관을 볼 때는 눈에 {힘|力}을 주고 자신 있게 대답하세요.
Student: 네, 알겠습니다. 눈빛으로 제 열정을 보여줄게요.
Argument with a Friend
A: 너 왜 나를 그렇게 눈에 {힘|力} 주고 쳐다봐?
B: 네가 먼저 잘못했잖아!
Sports Match
Coach: 마지막까지 눈에 {힘|力}을 주고 공을 끝까지 봐!
Player: 네! 절대 놓치지 않겠습니다.
Talking about Makeup
A: 오늘 어디 가? 눈에 {힘|力}을 많이 줬네?
B: 응, 오늘 소개팅이 있어서 아이라인을 좀 세게 그렸어.
Parent Scolding a Child
Mother: 엄마가 말할 때 눈에 {힘|力} 주고 똑바로 봐.
Child: 죄송해요, 엄마...
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of your eyes as muscles. To show 'power' ({힘|力}), you have to 'give' (주다) them a workout!
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a cartoon character whose eyes turn into flaming torches or glowing orbs when they get serious. That 'glow' is the {힘|力} they are giving to their eyes.
Rhyme
눈에 {힘|力}을 줘, 자신감을 보여줘! (Nun-e him-eul jwo, ja-sin-gam-eul bo-yeo-jwo! - Give strength to your eyes, show your confidence!)
Story
You are at a photo studio. The photographer says you look like a 'dead fish.' You decide to summon your inner tiger. You tense your face, focus your gaze, and 'give strength to your eyes.' The photo is perfect.
In Other Languages
In Japanese, 'Me-jikara o ireru' (目力を入れる) is almost identical. In English, we might say 'to have a piercing gaze' or 'to put steel in one's eyes.'
Word Web
Herausforderung
Next time you look in the mirror, try to 'give strength to your eyes' for 5 seconds. Notice how your facial expression changes from relaxed to determined.
Review this phrase whenever you see a K-drama character getting angry or a K-pop idol performing on stage.
Aussprache
Pronounced as 'nu-ne'.
The 'm' sound carries over to the 'eu' sound.
Standard 'j' sound.
Formalitätsspektrum
눈에 {힘|力}을 주시고 집중해 주시기 바랍니다. (Teacher to students)
눈에 {힘|力}을 주고 집중하세요. (Teacher to students)
눈에 {힘|力} 좀 주고 집중해 봐. (Teacher to students)
눈에 {힘|力} 빡 줘! (Teacher to students)
Derived from the physical observation that intense emotions (anger, focus, resolve) cause the muscles around the eyes to contract, making the gaze appear 'stronger.'
Wusstest du?
In Korean, 'strength' ({힘|力}) is used for many body parts to describe tension, but 'eyes' is the most common metaphorical use.
Kulturelle Hinweise
The concept of 'Gi' ({기|氣}) is central. Giving strength to the eyes is seen as a way to project your 'Gi' to others, whether to lead or to defend.
“In K-dramas, a 'reversal' scene often starts with the protagonist giving strength to their eyes.”
Fans often praise idols for their 'eye-power' during performances, using this phrase to describe their charisma on stage.
“우리 오빠 오늘 무대에서 눈에 {힘|力} 빡 줬다! (Our oppa really put strength in his eyes on stage today!)”
In hierarchical settings, 'giving strength to the eyes' while a boss is talking can be risky; it might be seen as 'nun-kkari' (slang for staring back defiantly).
“신입사원이 눈에 {힘|力}을 주고 상사를 쳐다보면 예의 없다고 생각할 수 있어요.”
The phrase is heavily associated with 'Ulzzang' (best face) culture and the effort to look perfect in social media photos.
“Selfie apps often have filters that 'give strength' to the eyes automatically.”
Gesprächseinstiege
사진 찍을 때 눈에 {힘|力}을 주는 편인가요?
면접에서 눈에 {힘|力}을 주는 것이 왜 중요할까요?
누군가 당신을 눈에 {힘|力}을 주고 쳐다본다면 어떻게 하겠어요?
Häufige Fehler
눈을 {힘|力}을 주다
눈에 {힘|力}을 주다
L1 Interference
눈에 {힘|力}을 하다
눈에 {힘|力}을 주다
L1 Interference
Using it to mean 'I have strong eyesight.'
시력이 좋다
L1 Interference
Using it for a romantic 'loving look.'
꿀이 떨어지다 (literally 'honey is falling')
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
目力を入れる (Me-jikara o ireru)
Japanese often uses the specific noun 'Me-jikara' (eye power), whereas Korean uses the general word for strength 'Him'.
To glare / To have a piercing gaze
English lacks a single idiom that covers both 'determination' and 'makeup effort'.
使劲瞪眼 (Shǐjìn dèngyǎn)
Chinese is more focused on the negative/angry aspect of staring.
Poner mirada fuerte
Spanish uses 'look' (mirada) rather than 'strength' (fuerza) as the object.
Faire les gros yeux
French is limited to the context of disapproval or surprise.
Jemanden scharf ansehen
German focuses on the 'sharpness' of the gaze.
حدّق بنظرة ثاقبة (Haddaqa bi-nazra thaqiba)
Arabic uses 'piercing' to describe the quality of the gaze.
Olhar com firmeza
Portuguese emphasizes 'firmness' rather than 'strength'.
Spotted in the Real World
“박새로이는 항상 눈에 {힘|力}을 주고 세상을 본다.”
Describing the protagonist Park Saeroyi's unwavering determination and strong gaze.
“눈에 {힘|力}을 줘, 당당하게!”
Lyrics encouraging confidence and self-expression.
“댄스 배틀 전에 눈에 {힘|力}부터 주더라고요.”
Describing the 'nerve war' before a dance battle.
“장군님께서 눈에 {힘|力}을 주시니 병사들이 떨었다.”
Describing Admiral Yi Sun-shin's commanding presence.
“#오늘 #메이크업 #눈에힘줌”
A caption for a photo with heavy eye makeup.
Leicht verwechselbar
Both involve 'eyes' and 'strength/highness.'
Remember that 'high eyes' means having high standards, while 'strength in eyes' is about the intensity of the look.
Learners might think 'giving strength' is just 'opening' eyes.
'눈을 뜨다' is just the act of waking up or opening eyes. '힘을 주다' is the *effort* added to the look.
Häufig gestellte Fragen (10)
Not inherently. It depends on the context. Using it to describe your own determination is positive. Telling someone else to do it can be an instruction (photo) or a challenge (argument).
usage contextsYes! It's very common to say '눈에 {힘|力}을 주다' when someone has applied dramatic or very pretty eye makeup.
practical tips'눈을 크게 뜨다' is just the physical size. '눈에 {힘|力}을 주다' involves the *intensity* and *intent* behind the look.
comparisonsIt's a bit too idiomatic for a formal email. Better to use '열정' (passion) or '의지' (will) in writing.
grammar mechanicsYes, usually. You wouldn't say it for just one eye unless you are a pirate.
basic understandingYes, adding '빡' (ppak) like '눈에 {힘|力} 빡 줬다' makes it very casual and emphasizes the intensity.
practical tipsYou can say '눈에 {힘|力}을 빼다' (to take strength out of the eyes).
usage contextsConstantly. Idols are often told to 'give strength to their eyes' to look more charismatic on camera.
cultural usageYes, if a dog looks very determined or angry, you could jokingly use it.
usage contextsGlaring is one of its meanings, but 'giving strength' can also be positive (determination), whereas glaring is usually negative.
comparisons
