훌쩍훌쩍 en 30 segundos
- A repetitive sniffling sound.
- Used for colds or crying.
- Often paired with '하다' or '-거리다'.
- A common Korean onomatopoeia.
The Korean word 훌쩍훌쩍 (huljjeok-huljjeok) is a fascinating example of Korean onomatopoeia (의성어) and mimetic words (의태어). At its core, it represents the sound and the physical action of repeated sniffling. This can occur in two primary contexts: when someone has a runny nose due to a cold or allergies, or when someone is crying softly and trying to catch their breath or clear their nasal passages. Unlike the English word 'sniffle,' which is primarily a verb, 훌쩍훌쩍 functions as an adverbial sound-symbolic word that vividly paints a picture of the scene. In Korean linguistics, the choice of vowels is crucial. The 'ㅜ' (u) sound in '훌' and '쩍' is considered a 'dark' vowel, which often conveys a sense of heaviness, dampness, or sadness. If the word used 'ㅗ' (o) instead, like '홀짝홀짝,' it would describe the sound of sipping a drink, showing how sensitive Korean word-formation is to vowel harmony and nuance.
- Physical Sensation
- The sound of air being pulled sharply through a congested nose.
- Emotional Resonance
- Often associated with the aftermath of a deep cry or a lingering sadness where one cannot stop sniffling.
When you hear this word, imagine a child who has just finished crying over a scraped knee, or an office worker during allergy season trying to stay quiet while their nose runs. It is an evocative word that immediately tells the listener about the physical state of the person being described. It is highly productive, meaning it can be combined with verbs like '하다' (to do) to become '훌쩍훌쩍하다' (to sniffle) or used to modify verbs like '울다' (to cry), as in '훌쩍훌쩍 울다' (to cry sniffling).
감기에 걸려서 하루 종일 훌쩍훌쩍거리고 있어요. (I caught a cold, so I've been sniffling all day long.)
Beyond just the sound, 훌쩍훌쩍 captures a specific rhythm. The repetition implies a recurring action. It’s not just one sniff (which would be just '훌쩍'), but a series of them. This rhythmic quality is a hallmark of Korean mimetic language, where doubling a word emphasizes duration and repetition. This word is ubiquitous in daily life, from weather reports discussing the flu season to emotional scenes in K-dramas where a character is trying to hide their tears. Understanding this word helps learners grasp the emotional landscape of Korean communication, where sounds often speak louder than formal adjectives.
Historically, Korean has developed thousands of these sound-symbolic words. They are not considered 'slang' but are a legitimate and sophisticated part of the lexicon used in literature, news, and everyday speech. For an English speaker, learning 훌쩍훌쩍 provides a shortcut to describing a complex physical state without needing a long, clinical explanation. It adds a layer of 'feeling' to your Korean that makes you sound much more native and empathetic.
Using 훌쩍훌쩍 correctly requires understanding its role as an adverbial sound-symbol. It most commonly appears before the verb '하다' (to do) or '울다' (to cry). However, it can also be used with the suffix '-거리다', which emphasizes the repetitive and somewhat annoying or persistent nature of the action. For example, '훌쩍훌쩍거리지 마세요' (Please stop sniffling) sounds more like you are addressing a continuous, repetitive habit than just a single instance.
- With '하다' (To do)
- 훌쩍훌쩍해요 (I am sniffling). This is the most standard, neutral way to use the word.
- With '울다' (To cry)
- 훌쩍훌쩍 울고 있어요 (I am crying and sniffling). This specifies the reason for the sound is emotional.
One key grammatical point is that as an onomatopoeic word, it doesn't take particles like '을/를' because it isn't an object; it is the *manner* of the action. You would say '훌쩍훌쩍 소리가 나요' (The sound of sniffling is coming out) if you want to focus on the sound itself. In informal settings, people might just say the word twice and point to their nose to indicate they need a tissue. It is also used metaphorically sometimes to describe a very light, recurring sound in machinery or environment, though its primary use remains biological.
영화가 너무 슬퍼서 관객들이 여기저기서 훌쩍훌쩍거렸어요. (The movie was so sad that audience members everywhere were sniffling.)
In terms of sentence placement, it usually comes right before the verb it modifies. For example, '코가 막혀서 훌쩍훌쩍 소리를 내요' (My nose is blocked, so I make a sniffling sound). Notice how '소리를 내다' (to make a sound) is used here. For learners at the A2 level, focusing on the combination '훌쩍훌쩍해요' is the safest and most common way to communicate that you have a cold or are feeling tearful.
When writing, especially in creative writing or journals, 훌쩍훌쩍 can be used to set a mood. It creates an atmosphere of vulnerability or illness. In webtoons (Korean digital comics), you will often see this word written in the background bubbles to indicate a character is upset or sick without having to draw elaborate tears or snot. It is a very 'visual' sound word.
You will encounter 훌쩍훌쩍 in a variety of real-world Korean settings. The most common place is likely a pharmacy (약국) or a hospital (병원). A doctor might ask, '언제부터 훌쩍훌쩍하기 시작했나요?' (When did you start sniffling?). It’s a standard way to describe a symptom of the common cold (감기) or rhinitis (비염). Because it is a polite yet descriptive word, it is used by all age groups, from parents talking to children to elderly patients describing their condition to a nurse.
- In K-Dramas
- Used during breakup scenes or when a character is watching a sad movie alone.
- In Schools
- Teachers might tell students to use a tissue if they hear them sniffling during an exam.
Another common setting is during the change of seasons (환절기). Koreans are very sensitive to the 'fine dust' (미세먼지) levels, which often lead to respiratory issues. You'll hear people on the subway or in offices 훌쩍훌쩍-ing and then reaching for their masks. In this context, it’s a shared social cue that someone is struggling with the air quality or a seasonal chill. It is also a very popular word in children's literature. Many picture books use it to describe a small animal or a child who is lost or has a cold, making it one of the first onomatopoeic words Korean children learn.
옆자리 사람이 훌쩍훌쩍거려서 집중이 안 돼요. (The person next to me is sniffling, so I can't concentrate.)
Socially, if you are 훌쩍훌쩍-ing in public, it is often seen as a sign that you need help or care. A friend might ask, '괜찮아요? 왜 훌쩍훌쩍 울어요?' (Are you okay? Why are you crying/sniffling?). It evokes a sense of sympathy. In contrast, if you are doing it because of a cold, it’s a signal to others that you might be contagious, prompting people to offer you hot tea or advice on which medicine to take. It’s a word that bridges the gap between physical symptoms and social interaction.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 훌쩍훌쩍 with its single-form counterpart 훌쩍. While they share a root, they are used differently. 훌쩍 (single) can mean a single sniff, but it is much more commonly used to describe 'jumping over' something quickly or 'drinking something in one gulp.' For example, '담을 훌쩍 넘다' (to jump over a wall) or '물을 훌쩍 마시다' (to gulp down water). If you use the single form when you mean a continuous sniffle, the listener might be confused about whether you just jumped or drank something!
- Confusion with '홀짝홀짝'
- '홀짝홀짝' (holjjak-holjjak) is the sound of sipping tea or alcohol. It sounds very similar to '훌쩍훌쩍' but the 'ㅗ' vowel makes it a 'bright' sound associated with drinking, not crying or sickness.
- Confusion with '킁킁'
- '킁킁' (keung-keung) is the sound of sniffing to smell something (like a dog). '훌쩍훌쩍' is specifically for clearing liquid from the nose.
Another mistake is using the wrong verb ending. While '훌쩍훌쩍해요' is common, learners often forget that '훌쩍훌쩍거리다' is more natural when describing someone else's annoying or persistent sniffling. Using just '훌쩍훌쩍' as a noun (e.g., '나의 훌쩍훌쩍' - My sniffling) is grammatically incorrect in Korean. It must always function as an adverb or be turned into a verb with '하다' or '거리다'.
Wrong: 차를 훌쩍훌쩍 마셔요. (Incorrect for sipping tea)
Right: 차를 홀짝홀짝 마셔요. (Correct for sipping tea)
Lastly, be careful with the intensity. Korean has another word, '훌쩍훌쩍' vs '훌쩍'. If you want to describe a *large* jump or a *big* sniff, you might use '훌쩍'. But for the repetitive, small-scale action of a runny nose, always use the doubled form. Mixing these up can make your description of a cold sound like you are performing a series of Olympic hurdles instead of just needing a Kleenex.
Korean is incredibly rich in words for sounds and movements. If 훌쩍훌쩍 doesn't quite fit the situation, there are several alternatives that convey slightly different nuances. Understanding these helps you fine-tune your Korean expression. For instance, if the sniffling is very quiet and involves more tears than nose-blowing, you might use '찔끔찔끔' (jjil-kkeum-jjil-kkeum), which describes liquid leaking out in small amounts.
- 킁킁 (Keung-keung)
- This describes the sound of sniffing to detect a scent. Think of a detective or a dog. It's more about the 'nose-power' than a runny nose.
- 팽 (Paeng)
- This is the sound of a forceful, one-time nose blow. '코를 팽 풀다' (To blow one's nose loudly).
- 엉엉 (Eong-eong)
- This is the sound of loud, wailing crying. If 훌쩍훌쩍 is a quiet sniffle, 엉엉 is a full-blown sob.
When comparing 훌쩍훌쩍 to '훌쩍', remember that the latter often implies a sudden, large movement. If you say '키가 훌쩍 컸다,' it means someone grew a lot taller suddenly. If you say '시간이 훌쩍 지났다,' it means time flew by. The repetition in 훌쩍훌쩍 anchors the word to the repetitive, rhythmic sound of the nose, distinguishing it from these metaphorical uses of the single form.
Comparison:
1. 훌쩍훌쩍: Sniff-sniff (cold/crying)
2. 킁킁: Sniff-sniff (smelling something)
3. 홀짝홀짝: Sip-sip (drinking)
In literary contexts, you might also see '훌쩍이다' (to sniffle). This is the verb form derived from the sound. It is slightly more formal than using '훌쩍훌쩍하다' and is often found in novels to describe a character's quiet grief. For learners, mastering the '훌쩍훌쩍' family of words allows for a much more vivid description of human emotion and physical state than just using basic verbs like '아프다' (to be sick) or '울다' (to cry).
How Formal Is It?
Dato curioso
The word is part of a large family of 'h-' initial onomatopoeia in Korean that deal with air and fluid, such as '휘익' (whistle) or '후' (blow).
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing 'ㅉ' as a soft 'j' like in 'jump'. It should be tense.
- Releasing the final 'k' sound (ㄱ) too strongly. It should be a 'stop' sound.
Nivel de dificultad
Easy to recognize due to repetition.
Spelling '쩍' correctly with double consonants is key.
Requires correct tense 'ㅉ' sound.
Very distinctive rhythmic sound.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
Onomatopoeia as Adverbs
훌쩍훌쩍 울다 (No particle needed)
-거리다 Suffix
훌쩍훌쩍거리다 (Indicates repetitive action)
-대다 Suffix
훌쩍훌쩍대다 (Similar to -거리다, slightly more intense)
Vowel Harmony (Dark Vowels)
훌쩍 (ㅜ is dark) vs 홀짝 (ㅗ is bright)
-게 되다 (Resultative)
추우면 훌쩍훌쩍하게 돼요.
Ejemplos por nivel
코가 훌쩍훌쩍해요.
My nose is sniffling.
Simple noun + verb '하다' usage.
아이가 훌쩍훌쩍 울어요.
The child is crying (sniffling).
Adverb modifying the verb '울다'.
감기 때문에 훌쩍훌쩍해요.
I'm sniffling because of a cold.
'때문에' indicates the reason.
어제부터 훌쩍훌쩍했어요.
I've been sniffling since yesterday.
Past tense of '하다'.
왜 훌쩍훌쩍해요?
Why are you sniffling?
Question form.
훌쩍훌쩍, 휴지 주세요.
(Sniff sniff), please give me a tissue.
Used as a standalone sound.
동생이 훌쩍훌쩍해요.
My younger sibling is sniffling.
Subject + adverb + verb.
너무 훌쩍훌쩍하지 마세요.
Please don't sniffle too much.
Negative command '-지 마세요'.
추운 날씨에 코가 훌쩍훌쩍 나와요.
In cold weather, my nose keeps sniffling.
Describes a physical reaction to weather.
슬픈 영화를 보고 훌쩍훌쩍 울었어요.
I watched a sad movie and sniffled.
Sequential action using '-고'.
친구가 훌쩍훌쩍거려서 걱정됐어요.
I was worried because my friend kept sniffling.
'-거리다' emphasizes repetition.
훌쩍훌쩍 소리가 들려요.
I can hear a sniffling sound.
'소리' (sound) is the subject.
코감기에 걸리면 훌쩍훌쩍하게 돼요.
If you catch a head cold, you end up sniffling.
'-게 되다' indicates a resulting state.
훌쩍훌쩍하지 말고 코를 푸세요.
Don't just sniffle; blow your nose.
'-지 말고' means 'instead of doing X'.
강아지가 훌쩍훌쩍하는 것 같아요.
I think the puppy is sniffling.
'-는 것 같다' expresses an opinion or guess.
비염 환자는 봄에 훌쩍훌쩍거려요.
Rhinitis patients sniffle in the spring.
General truth or habit.
도서관에서 훌쩍훌쩍거리는 소리는 정말 방해가 돼요.
The sound of sniffling in the library is really distracting.
Gerund '-는 것' used as a subject.
그녀는 아무 말 없이 훌쩍훌쩍 울기만 했다.
She did nothing but cry sniffling without saying a word.
'-기만 하다' means 'only doing'.
감기 기운이 있는지 아침부터 계속 훌쩍훌쩍하네.
I must have a bit of a cold; I've been sniffling since morning.
'-는지' expresses uncertainty or a reason.
아이의 훌쩍훌쩍 소리에 엄마가 잠에서 깼다.
The mother woke up to the sound of her child's sniffling.
Causative relationship.
훌쩍훌쩍거리는 걸 보니 많이 서러웠나 봐요.
Seeing you sniffle, you must have been very sad.
'-나 보다' indicates a logical deduction.
환절기만 되면 코가 막히고 훌쩍훌쩍하게 된다.
Whenever the seasons change, my nose gets blocked and I sniffle.
'-만 되면' means 'whenever it becomes'.
훌쩍훌쩍 소리를 참으려 했지만 결국 눈물이 났다.
I tried to hold back the sniffling, but eventually, the tears came.
'-으려 하다' indicates intention.
그는 훌쩍훌쩍거리며 휴지를 찾았다.
He looked for a tissue while sniffling.
'-으며' indicates simultaneous actions.
조용한 장례식장에서 누군가 훌쩍훌쩍 우는 소리가 들렸다.
In the quiet funeral hall, the sound of someone sniffling and crying was heard.
Passive voice '들렸다'.
코를 훌쩍훌쩍거리는 습관은 고치는 것이 좋습니다.
It is good to fix the habit of constantly sniffling.
Noun phrase as a subject.
그는 민망한지 훌쩍훌쩍하며 고개를 숙였다.
Perhaps embarrassed, he sniffled and lowered his head.
'-는지' expressing a presumed reason.
먼지가 많은 곳에 가면 여지없이 훌쩍훌쩍거린다.
Whenever I go to a dusty place, I sniffle without fail.
'여지없이' means 'without exception'.
아이의 훌쩍훌쩍거림이 멈추자 집안은 다시 고요해졌다.
When the child's sniffling stopped, the house became silent again.
'-거림' turns the mimetic word into a noun.
훌쩍훌쩍 소리가 날 때마다 가슴이 아팠다.
Every time I heard the sniffling, my heart ached.
'-ㄹ 때마다' means 'every time'.
그녀는 훌쩍훌쩍거리면서도 끝까지 이야기를 마쳤다.
Even while sniffling, she finished her story to the end.
'-면서도' expresses contrast (even while).
훌쩍훌쩍거리는 소리를 감추려 라디오 볼륨을 높였다.
I turned up the radio volume to hide the sound of my sniffling.
'-으려' indicates purpose.
적막한 방 안에는 그의 규칙적인 훌쩍훌쩍 소리만이 감돌았다.
In the desolate room, only the sound of his rhythmic sniffling lingered.
Literary description.
감정이 북받친 듯 그는 한동안 훌쩍훌쩍거리며 말을 잇지 못했다.
As if overwhelmed by emotion, he sniffled for a while and couldn't continue speaking.
'-ㄴ 듯' indicates 'as if'.
어린 시절, 훌쩍훌쩍 울던 나를 달래주던 어머니의 손길이 그립다.
I miss my mother's touch, which used to comfort me when I sniffled and cried as a child.
Relativization of a past action.
훌쩍훌쩍거리는 소리가 끊이지 않는 걸 보니 중증 비염인 모양이다.
Seeing as the sniffling doesn't stop, it must be a severe case of rhinitis.
'-ㄴ 모양이다' indicates a strong inference.
그는 자신의 슬픔을 훌쩍훌쩍거리는 소리 뒤에 숨기려 애썼다.
He tried hard to hide his sadness behind the sound of his sniffling.
Metaphorical use of 'behind'.
계절의 변화는 내 코가 먼저 훌쩍훌쩍거리며 알아챈다.
My nose notices the change of seasons first by starting to sniffle.
Personification of the nose.
훌쩍훌쩍거리는 행위 자체가 타인에게는 불쾌감을 줄 수 있다.
The act of sniffling itself can cause discomfort to others.
Formal academic-style sentence.
그의 훌쩍훌쩍거림은 깊은 고독의 또 다른 표현이었다.
His sniffling was another expression of deep loneliness.
Deep metaphorical interpretation.
그의 훌쩍훌쩍거림은 단순한 생리 현상을 넘어선 비애의 발로였다.
His sniffling was an outbreak of sorrow that transcended a simple physiological phenomenon.
Highly formal/literary vocabulary.
훌쩍훌쩍 소리의 고저에 따라 그의 심리적 동요를 짐작할 수 있었다.
One could guess his psychological agitation based on the pitch of his sniffling.
Complex sentence structure.
작가는 주인공의 내면적 갈등을 훌쩍훌쩍거리는 음성적 장치로 묘사했다.
The author described the protagonist's internal conflict using sniffling as an auditory device.
Literary analysis.
훌쩍훌쩍거리는 소리가 잦아들자 비로소 평온이 찾아왔다.
Only when the sniffling subsided did peace finally arrive.
'-자 비로소' means 'only after X, then Y'.
타인의 훌쩍훌쩍거림에 공감하지 못하는 현대인의 무관심을 비판했다.
It criticized the indifference of modern people who cannot empathize with others' sniffling.
Social critique.
훌쩍훌쩍거리는 소리가 자아내는 애처로운 분위기가 방 안을 가득 채웠다.
The pitiful atmosphere created by the sniffling sound filled the room.
Participial phrase modifying '분위기'.
그는 훌쩍훌쩍거리는 소리를 통해 자신의 존재를 알리고 있었다.
He was making his presence known through the sound of his sniffling.
Existential interpretation.
훌쩍훌쩍거림의 미학은 한국 문학에서 슬픔을 정제하는 방식 중 하나다.
The aesthetics of sniffling are one of the ways sorrow is refined in Korean literature.
Philosophical/Literary claim.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— Don't cry/sniffle. Used to comfort someone.
자, 이제 훌쩍훌쩍 울지 마.
— Why do you keep sniffling? Asking about health or mood.
어디 아파? 왜 자꾸 훌쩍훌쩍해?
— Snot is causing sniffling. Describing a cold.
콧물이 훌쩍훌쩍 나와서 힘들어요.
— The sound of repeated sniffling.
훌쩍훌쩍거리는 소리 때문에 잠을 못 잤어.
— To speak while sniffling.
그는 훌쩍훌쩍하며 미안하다고 말했다.
— To wipe tears while sniffling.
그녀는 훌쩍훌쩍 눈물을 닦으며 웃었다.
— Sniffling all day long.
꽃가루 때문에 하루 종일 훌쩍훌쩍해요.
— To gasp for breath while sniffling.
아이는 훌쩍훌쩍 숨을 몰아쉬며 울음을 그쳤다.
— To sniff mucus back in.
그는 훌쩍훌쩍 코를 들이마시는 소리를 냈다.
— Sniffling/crying secretly.
그는 화장실에서 몰래 훌쩍훌쩍 울었다.
Se confunde a menudo con
Sound of sipping a drink. Uses bright vowels (ㅗ).
Can mean a single sniff, but more often means jumping or drinking in one gulp.
Sound of sniffing to smell something, usually more forceful and dry.
Modismos y expresiones
— To keep sniffling instead of blowing one's nose.
그는 코를 푸는 대신 콧물을 훌쩍훌쩍 들이마셨다.
Informal— Tears flowing with sniffling.
그 소식을 듣자마자 눈물이 훌쩍훌쩍 났다.
Informal— To be anxious or sad while sniffling.
그녀는 훌쩍훌쩍 가슴을 태우며 소식을 기다렸다.
Literary— (Rare use of '훌쩍' doubling) Time flying by.
훌쩍훌쩍 세월이 참 빠르기도 하지. (Note: Usually just '훌쩍')
Dialect/Poetic— (Rare) Jumping over mountains repeatedly.
호랑이가 훌쩍훌쩍 산을 넘었다.
Folklore— Feeling the urge to sniffle/cry.
감동적인 사연에 코끝이 훌쩍훌쩍했다.
Informal— (Rare) Repeatedly emptying glasses.
그는 훌쩍훌쩍 빈 잔을 채웠다.
Informal— To shake something off quickly (repetitive).
걱정을 훌쩍훌쩍 털어버려요.
Informal— To grow very fast (repetitive).
나무가 훌쩍훌쩍 잘도 자란다.
Informal— To run away with big leaps.
도둑이 훌쩍훌쩍 담을 넘어 도망갔다.
InformalFácil de confundir
Same root, similar sound.
훌쩍 is usually a single action (one jump, one gulp). 훌쩍훌쩍 is repetitive sniffling.
그는 담을 훌쩍 넘었다. (He jumped over the wall.)
Only one vowel difference (u vs o).
훌쩍훌쩍 is for the nose/crying. 홀짝홀짝 is for sipping tea/alcohol.
커피를 홀짝홀짝 마셔요. (Sipping coffee.)
Both involve the nose.
킁킁 is for smelling. 훌쩍훌쩍 is for mucus or crying.
개가 냄새를 킁킁 맡아요. (The dog is sniffing.)
Both involve liquid and small amounts.
찔끔찔끔 focuses on the leaking of liquid. 훌쩍훌쩍 focuses on the sound of inhaling.
눈물이 찔끔찔끔 나와요. (Tears are leaking out.)
Both involve crying.
엉엉 is loud wailing. 훌쩍훌쩍 is quiet sniffling.
아이가 엉엉 울어요. (The child is wailing.)
Patrones de oraciones
Subject + 훌쩍훌쩍해요.
코가 훌쩍훌쩍해요.
Subject + 훌쩍훌쩍 울어요.
아이가 훌쩍훌쩍 울어요.
Reason + 훌쩍훌쩍하게 돼요.
추워서 훌쩍훌쩍하게 돼요.
Subject + 훌쩍훌쩍거려요.
친구가 훌쩍훌쩍거려요.
Subject + 훌쩍훌쩍하며 + Verb.
그녀는 훌쩍훌쩍하며 나갔다.
훌쩍훌쩍거리는 + Noun.
훌쩍훌쩍거리는 소리가 들린다.
훌쩍훌쩍거림 + Particle.
훌쩍훌쩍거림이 멈췄다.
Noun + 뒤에 숨은 훌쩍훌쩍 소리.
웃음 뒤에 숨은 훌쩍훌쩍 소리.
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Very common in daily life, especially during winter and spring.
-
Using 훌쩍훌쩍 for sipping.
→
홀짝홀짝
The vowel 'o' (ㅗ) is for drinking; 'u' (ㅜ) is for the nose.
-
Spelling it as 훌적훌적.
→
훌쩍훌쩍
You must use the double consonant 'ㅉ'.
-
Using it as a standalone noun like '나의 훌쩍훌쩍'.
→
나의 훌쩍훌쩍거림 or 내가 훌쩍훌쩍하는 것
It needs a verb or a nominalizer to function as a noun.
-
Using 훌쩍훌쩍 for a single jump.
→
훌쩍
The doubled form is for repetitive sounds, not single movements.
-
Confusing it with 킁킁 when smelling flowers.
→
킁킁
훌쩍훌쩍 is for a runny nose, not for smelling scents.
Consejos
Pairing with Verbs
Always remember that 훌쩍훌쩍 usually needs '하다' or '울다' to make a complete thought in a sentence.
The Tense 'ㅉ'
The 'ㅉ' in 훌쩍 is very sharp. Try to build up air pressure behind your tongue before releasing it.
Emotional Tone
Use this word when you want to sound vulnerable or seek a bit of sympathy for your cold.
Don't Forget the 'ㄱ'
The final 'ㄱ' (k) in each syllable is silent but stops the airflow. Don't omit it in writing!
훌쩍 vs 훌쩍훌쩍
If it happens once, it's 훌쩍. If it keeps happening, it's 훌쩍훌쩍.
Drama Cues
When you hear this sound in a drama, look for the tissue box or the character's red nose.
Vowel Harmony
Learning why this uses 'u' will help you understand other Korean onomatopoeia better.
-거리다 for Others
Use '-거리다' when talking about someone else's sniffling to sound more natural.
Family of Sounds
Group this with '킁킁' and '팽' to master all 'nose sounds' in Korean.
At the Pharmacy
This is your 'magic word' at the pharmacy to get cold medicine without knowing complex medical terms.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Imagine a 'HULk' who is 'JJEOCK' (shocked) and starts crying: 'Hul-jjeok, hul-jjeok!'
Asociación visual
A tissue box with the words 'Hul-jjeok' written on the side in a sad font.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to say '훌쩍훌쩍' ten times fast while miming a sniffle. Then, use it in a sentence to describe your last cold.
Origen de la palabra
Pure Korean (Native) onomatopoeia.
Significado original: The sound of air being inhaled through a wet or obstructed passage.
KoreanicContexto cultural
No specific sensitivities, but avoid using it mockingly as it can describe genuine distress or illness.
English speakers use 'sniffle,' which is more clinical. '훌쩍훌쩍' feels more descriptive and rhythmic.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
At the Doctor's
- 콧물이 나오고 훌쩍훌쩍해요.
- 어제부터 훌쩍훌쩍거렸어요.
- 코가 막혀서 훌쩍훌쩍 소리가 나요.
- 훌쩍훌쩍하는 게 멈추지 않아요.
Watching a Drama
- 너무 슬퍼서 훌쩍훌쩍 울었어.
- 주인공이 훌쩍훌쩍할 때 나도 울었어.
- 훌쩍훌쩍 소리 때문에 대사가 안 들려.
- 눈물이 훌쩍훌쩍 나네.
Allergy Season
- 꽃가루 때문에 훌쩍훌쩍거려요.
- 봄만 되면 훌쩍훌쩍해요.
- 훌쩍훌쩍하지 말고 약 먹어.
- 먼지 때문에 코가 훌쩍훌쩍해.
Comforting a Friend
- 왜 훌쩍훌쩍 울고 있어?
- 훌쩍훌쩍하지 말고 말해봐.
- 울지 마, 훌쩍훌쩍 소리 들으면 마음 아파.
- 자, 여기 휴지. 훌쩍훌쩍 그만해.
In a Library/Quiet Place
- 저 사람 훌쩍훌쩍거리는 거 너무 시끄러워.
- 훌쩍훌쩍 소리 좀 안 내면 안 될까?
- 도서관에서 훌쩍훌쩍하는 건 실례야.
- 훌쩍훌쩍거릴 거면 나가서 코 풀고 와.
Inicios de conversación
"어제 슬픈 영화 보고 훌쩍훌쩍 울었다면서요?"
"감기 걸렸어요? 왜 자꾸 훌쩍훌쩍해요?"
"꽃가루 알레르기 때문에 훌쩍훌쩍하는 사람들이 많네요."
"아이가 훌쩍훌쩍 울고 있는데 무슨 일일까요?"
"훌쩍훌쩍 소리가 여기까지 들리는데 괜찮아요?"
Temas para diario
오늘 하루 종일 훌쩍훌쩍거렸던 이유를 써보세요.
최근에 훌쩍훌쩍 울었던 기억이 있나요?
훌쩍훌쩍 소리를 들으면 어떤 기분이 드나요?
겨울철 훌쩍훌쩍하는 감기를 예방하는 방법을 적어보세요.
훌쩍훌쩍거리는 사람을 도와준 경험이 있나요?
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, that is a common mistake. For sipping tea or any drink, you should use '홀짝홀짝'. '훌쩍훌쩍' is strictly for sniffling due to a cold or crying.
It is primarily an onomatopoeic adverb. However, it can be used like a noun when describing 'the sound of 훌쩍훌쩍' (훌쩍훌쩍 소리).
'훌쩍훌쩍하다' is a neutral description of the action. '훌쩍훌쩍거리다' emphasizes that the action is repetitive and often implies it is a bit annoying or persistent.
In creative writing or novels, yes. In a formal academic paper, you would likely use more clinical terms like '비염 증상' (rhinitis symptoms) or the verb '훌쩍이다'.
In Korean, 'u' is a dark vowel. Dark vowels often represent sounds that are lower, heavier, or more negative. This fits the mood of being sick or sad.
Only the single form '훌쩍' is commonly used for jumping. '훌쩍훌쩍' almost always refers to the sniffling sound.
It is 훌쩍훌쩍. Make sure to use the double consonant 'ㅉ' and the 'eo' vowel 'ㅓ'.
Yes, you can use it to describe a pet that seems to have a cold or is making a sniffling sound.
This is a slightly rare, repetitive use of the 'growing' meaning of '훌쩍'. It means someone grew significantly and noticeably over time.
Yes, it is a basic, essential word that every native speaker knows from childhood.
Ponte a prueba 180 preguntas
Write a simple sentence: 'I am sniffling because of a cold.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a simple sentence: 'The child is crying (sniffing).'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe a scene: 'It is cold, so my nose is sniffling.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Ask a friend: 'Why are you sniffling?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Complain about a sound: 'The person next to me keeps sniffling, so I can't study.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write about a movie: 'I watched a sad movie and sniffled all night.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use the verb form: 'She was sniffling quietly in the corner.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe a symptom: 'My nose gets blocked and I sniffle whenever the seasons change.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a literary sentence: 'Only the sound of sniffling broke the silence of the room.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Discuss health: 'One should fix the habit of sniffling in public places.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Please give me a tissue. (Sniff sniff)'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The baby sniffles when it sleeps.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I tried to stop sniffling, but I couldn't.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'He sniffled as if he was about to cry.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about the 'aesthetics of sorrow' using 훌쩍훌쩍.
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Write: 'Don't sniffle.'
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Write: 'My nose is sniffling since this morning.'
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Write: 'I can hear someone sniffling in the next room.'
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Write: 'I turned up the music to hide my sniffling.'
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Write: 'His sniffling was a sign of his deep loneliness.'
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Say 'Sniff sniff' in Korean.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'I have a cold and I'm sniffling.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Tell someone to stop sniffling.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'I sniffled while watching a sad movie.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Explain that you have allergies and that's why you're sniffling.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Ask someone why they are crying sniffling.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Complain about the noise of sniffling in a quiet place.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Describe a child's behavior after getting hurt.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Discuss the nuance of '훌쩍훌쩍' vs '홀짝홀짝'.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Describe an emotional scene in a book using the word.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'My nose is sniffling.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'Please give me a tissue, I'm sniffling.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'I've been sniffling all day.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'I'm embarrassed that I'm sniffling.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Discuss the social etiquette of sniffling in Korea.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Listen to the sound 'hul-jjeok-hul-jjeok'. What does it mean?
Listen to: '코가 훌쩍훌쩍해요.' Where is the problem?
Listen to: '훌쩍훌쩍 울지 마.' What is the speaker doing?
Listen to: '훌쩍훌쩍 소리가 방해가 돼요.' What is the problem?
Listen to a literary passage with '훌쩍훌쩍'. What is the mood?
Identify the word: '훌쩍훌쩍'.
Listen to: '감기 때문에 훌쩍훌쩍.' Why?
Listen to: '홀짝홀짝' vs '훌쩍훌쩍'. Which one is sniffling?
Listen for the suffix: '훌쩍훌쩍거려요'. What does it add?
Listen to: '훌쩍훌쩍거림'. What part of speech is this?
Does '훌쩍훌쩍' sound like a happy sound?
Listen to: '휴지 있어요? 훌쩍훌쩍.' What does the speaker need?
Listen to: '아이가 훌쩍훌쩍 울어요.' Is the child happy?
Listen to: '연신 훌쩍훌쩍.' Does it happen once?
Listen to: '훌쩍훌쩍 소리를 죽이다'. What is the person doing?
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
'훌쩍훌쩍' is the essential Korean word for 'sniffle-sniffle.' Whether you're dealing with seasonal allergies or a tear-jerker drama, use this word to describe the sound of air being pulled through a nose. Example: '감기 때문에 훌쩍훌쩍해요' (I'm sniffling because of a cold).
- A repetitive sniffling sound.
- Used for colds or crying.
- Often paired with '하다' or '-거리다'.
- A common Korean onomatopoeia.
Pairing with Verbs
Always remember that 훌쩍훌쩍 usually needs '하다' or '울다' to make a complete thought in a sentence.
The Tense 'ㅉ'
The 'ㅉ' in 훌쩍 is very sharp. Try to build up air pressure behind your tongue before releasing it.
Emotional Tone
Use this word when you want to sound vulnerable or seek a bit of sympathy for your cold.
Don't Forget the 'ㄱ'
The final 'ㄱ' (k) in each syllable is silent but stops the airflow. Don't omit it in writing!
Ejemplo
아이가 훌쩍훌쩍 코를 들이마셨다.
Contenido relacionado
Más palabras de health
비정상적이다
B1Que se desvía de lo normal o habitual; anormal.
비정상이다
A2Ser anormal o irregular. Se usa para describir algo que no sigue el patrón normal o esperado.
에 대해서
A2Indica el tema o asunto; sobre, acerca de, con respecto a. Se usa para especificar el objeto de una conversación o pensamiento.
누적되다
B1To be accumulated or added up over a period of time. It is frequently used to describe the buildup of fatigue, debt, or environmental damage.
몸살
A2Dolores corporales generales y fatiga, a menudo acompañados de escalofríos por exceso de trabajo o gripe.
몸살나다
A2To suffer from body aches and fatigue, often due to a cold.
쑤시다
B1Tener un dolor punzante o palpitante; doler. Se usa comúnmente para describir el dolor de articulaciones cuando va a llover.
에취
A2El sonido que hace una persona al estornudar en coreano. Es el equivalente a '¡Achís!' en español.
급성적이다
A2Caracterizado por un inicio rápido e intenso, utilizado principalmente en contextos médicos para describir enfermedades o síntomas que aparecen de repente. (ej. una enfermedad aguda).
급성이다
A2Tener un inicio rápido y un curso corto; ser agudo (enfermedad).
