A2 Idiom Neutral

마음을 졸이다.

Maeumeul jorida.

To be on pins and needles.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this when you're nervously waiting for something important, like exam results or a late-night phone call.

  • Means: To be extremely anxious or nervous while waiting for an outcome.
  • Used in: Waiting for news, watching a close sports game, or worrying about someone.
  • Don't confuse: Do not confuse with '조리다' (to braise food in sauce).
⏳ + 😰 = {마음|心}을 졸이다

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means you are very worried. You are waiting for something. You feel nervous in your heart. It is like when you wait for a test grade. You say '마음을 졸여요'.
You use this idiom when you feel anxious about a result. It comes from the word for boiling water. Your heart feels small and tight because you are nervous. It is common when waiting for news or a phone call.
This idiom describes the state of being on edge or in suspense. It literally means to 'boil down' one's heart. It's used in situations where the outcome is uncertain and important, such as waiting for medical results or watching a tense movie scene.
This expression captures the psychological tension of anticipatory anxiety. By using the verb '졸이다' (to simmer/evaporate), it metaphorically suggests that the person's mental energy is being consumed by worry. It is frequently used in both literary contexts and daily conversation to express deep concern.
An idiomatic expression rooted in the culinary metaphor of reduction, '{마음|心}을 졸이다' signifies a state of acute nervous tension. It transcends simple worry, implying a visceral experience where the subject's internal peace is 'boiled away' by the heat of suspense. It is a staple of Korean emotive discourse, often used to highlight the intensity of interpersonal bonds.
This idiom functions as a psychosomatic metaphor, illustrating the Korean linguistic tendency to externalize internal emotional states through domestic imagery. The verb '졸이다'—distinct from its homophone '조리다'—denotes the concentration of a substance through heat, serving as a poignant cognitive model for the narrowing of focus and physical constriction associated with high-stakes uncertainty. It reflects a cultural preoccupation with the 'heart-space' as a site of intense, often sacrificial, emotional labor.

Significado

To feel anxious or nervous with suspense or worry.

🌍

Contexto cultural

The 'Education Fever' in Korea makes this phrase very common during the month of November, when the national exam (Suneung) takes place. You will see news headlines saying '전국 학부모들 {마음|心} 졸여' (Parents nationwide are anxious). In dramas, this phrase is often used when a character is hiding behind a wall or trying to avoid being caught. It builds empathy between the viewer and the character. In traditional Korean medicine (Hanbang), extreme anxiety is thought to 'dry up' the blood and essence. The idiom '{마음|心}을 졸이다' aligns with this view of emotions physically affecting body fluids. In the fast-paced Korean 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture, employees often '졸이다' their hearts over small mistakes, reflecting a high-accountability work environment.

💡

Use with '기다리다'

This phrase is almost always paired with '기다리다' (to wait). If you are waiting for something, use them together: '...기다리며 {마음|心}을 졸였다'.

⚠️

Spelling Check

Even native Koreans confuse '졸이다' and '조리다'. If you write it correctly, you'll look like a pro!

Significado

To feel anxious or nervous with suspense or worry.

💡

Use with '기다리다'

This phrase is almost always paired with '기다리다' (to wait). If you are waiting for something, use them together: '...기다리며 {마음|心}을 졸였다'.

⚠️

Spelling Check

Even native Koreans confuse '졸이다' and '조리다'. If you write it correctly, you'll look like a pro!

🎯

Shorten it

In texts, use '맘 졸였어' to sound more natural and less like a textbook.

💬

Parental Love

If a Korean parent says this to you, they are expressing how much they care about you, not just that they were annoyed.

Ponte a prueba

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

시험 결과를 기다리는 동안 너무 ________.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 마음을 졸였어요

The correct spelling for anxiety is '졸이다'.

Which situation is NOT appropriate for '{마음|心}을 졸이다'?

다음 중 '{마음|心}을 졸이다'를 쓰기에 어색한 상황은?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 어제 헤어진 연인 때문에 슬플 때

This idiom is for suspense/anxiety, not for post-event sadness.

Complete the dialogue.

가: 왜 그렇게 서성거려? 나: 우리 팀이 질까 봐 ________.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 마음을 졸이고 있어

'마음을 졸이다' fits the context of worrying about a game outcome.

🎉 Puntuación: /3

Ayudas visuales

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Mostly, yes. It describes anxiety. However, it can be 'positive' in the sense of 'good suspense' like watching a thrilling movie.

No, that's '무섭다'. Use this for worrying about an event or a person.

'걱정하다' is general worry. '{마음|心}을 졸이다' is more intense, physical, and usually involves suspense.

This is the perfect equivalent: '{마음|心}을 졸이고 있어요'.

Yes, but keep it formal: '결과를 {마음|心} 졸이며 기다리고 있습니다'.

Yes, it's a very common variation that feels a bit more physical.

The word '마음' is native Korean, but it corresponds to the Hanja '心' (심). '졸이다' is pure Korean.

Usually, it's for a specific event. For long-term worry, '애를 태우다' is better.

Yes, it shows you care about the project's outcome.

'마음이 놓이다' (to feel relieved).

Frases relacionadas

🔄

애를 태우다

synonym

To burn one's insides with worry

🔗

조바심을 내다

similar

To be fretful/impatient

🔗

안절부절못하다

similar

To be restless

🔗

마음이 놓이다

contrast

To feel relieved

🔗

가슴이 두근거리다

builds on

Heart is pounding

Dónde usarla

📝

Waiting for Exam Results

Student A: 성적표 나왔어?

Student B: 아니, 아직. {마음|心}을 졸이며 기다리고 있어.

Student A: 걱정 마, 잘 나올 거야.

neutral
⚽

Watching a Sports Match

Fan 1: 와, 이제 1분 남았어!

Fan 2: 진짜 {마음|心} 졸여서 못 보겠다.

Fan 1: 제발 한 골만 더!

informal
📞

A Late-Night Phone Call

Mother: 왜 이렇게 전화를 안 받아? {마음|心} 졸였잖아!

Son: 미안해요, 배터리가 나갔어요.

Mother: 다음부턴 미리 연락해.

neutral
💼

Job Interview Outcome

Applicant: 면접 결과가 언제쯤 나올까요?

HR Manager: 이번 주 금요일입니다.

Applicant: (혼잣말로) 금요일까지 {마음|心}을 졸여야겠네.

formal
💌

Dating/Texting

Friend A: 고백 답장 왔어?

Friend B: 아직 '1'이 안 사라져서 {마음|心} 졸이고 있어.

Friend A: 곧 오겠지, 힘내!

informal
🏥

Medical Results

Doctor: 검사 결과가 나왔습니다.

Patient: 선생님, {마음|心} 졸이며 기다렸어요. 괜찮은가요?

Doctor: 네, 다행히 정상입니다.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of your heart as a pot of soup. When you worry, you 'simmer' (졸이다) it until it gets tight and salty!

Visual Association

Imagine a small, red heart-shaped pot on a stove. The water is boiling away, and the heart is getting smaller and smaller as the 'Anxiety Flame' stays high.

Rhyme

결과를 기다리며 {마음|心}을 졸여, 불안한 내 {마음|心} 어찌할 줄 몰라.

Story

Min-su applied for his dream job. He sat by his phone for three days. He didn't eat or sleep. He felt like his heart was boiling in a pot. He was '마음을 졸이다' until the phone finally rang.

Word Web

불안 (Anxiety)걱정 (Worry)긴장 (Tension)기다림 (Waiting)초조 (Restlessness)두근두근 (Pounding heart)조바심 (Impatience)

Desafío

Try to describe the last time you watched a scary movie or a sports game using this phrase to a friend.

In Other Languages

English moderate

On pins and needles / To have one's heart in one's mouth

Korean focuses on the reduction/concentration of the heart, while English focuses on physical discomfort or displacement.

Spanish partial

Estar en un sinvivir

Spanish is more existential; Korean is more visceral/culinary.

French high

Avoir le cœur serré

French focuses on the pressure; Korean focuses on the 'boiling down' process.

German moderate

Auf glühenden Kohlen sitzen

German focuses on the external heat source (coals); Korean focuses on the internal boiling of the heart.

Japanese high

ハラハラする (Harahara suru)

Japanese is more about the 'fluttering' feeling; Korean is about the 'shrinking' feeling.

Arabic partial

على أعصابه (Ala a'sabihi)

Arabic uses 'nerves'; Korean uses 'heart/mind'.

Chinese high

提心吊胆 (Tí xīn diào dǎn)

Chinese includes the gallbladder; Korean focuses solely on the heart/mind.

Portuguese high

Com o coração na mão

Portuguese emphasizes vulnerability; Korean emphasizes the internal tension.

Easily Confused

마음을 졸이다. vs 생선을 조리다

The pronunciation is identical to '졸이다'.

Remember: '조리다' (with 'ㅗ') is for food. '졸이다' (with 'ㅛ' sound-alike but spelled with 'ㅗ' + 'ㅣ'... wait, actually both are spelled with 'ㅗ'. The difference is '조리다' vs '졸이다'). '졸이다' has the 'ㄹ' batchim.

마음을 졸이다. vs 마음을 먹다

Both involve '마음' and a 'consuming' verb (boiling vs eating).

'먹다' (to eat) means to make up your mind/decide. '졸이다' means to be anxious.

Preguntas frecuentes (10)

Mostly, yes. It describes anxiety. However, it can be 'positive' in the sense of 'good suspense' like watching a thrilling movie.

No, that's '무섭다'. Use this for worrying about an event or a person.

'걱정하다' is general worry. '{마음|心}을 졸이다' is more intense, physical, and usually involves suspense.

This is the perfect equivalent: '{마음|心}을 졸이고 있어요'.

Yes, but keep it formal: '결과를 {마음|心} 졸이며 기다리고 있습니다'.

Yes, it's a very common variation that feels a bit more physical.

The word '마음' is native Korean, but it corresponds to the Hanja '心' (심). '졸이다' is pure Korean.

Usually, it's for a specific event. For long-term worry, '애를 태우다' is better.

Yes, it shows you care about the project's outcome.

'마음이 놓이다' (to feel relieved).

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