Phrase in 30 Seconds
To be '눈치가 빠르다' means you are socially intuitive and can quickly read the atmosphere or someone's hidden intentions.
- Means: To have high social intelligence and quickly grasp unspoken cues.
- Used in: Social gatherings, workplace dynamics, and reading romantic interest.
- Don't confuse: It is not about intelligence (IQ), but social awareness (EQ).
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
To be quick to notice and understand situations or other people's feelings.
Contexte culturel
Nunchi is essential for workplace success. Similar to 'Kuuki wo yomu'. Uses '眼力' (eye power). Focuses on individual 'street smarts'.
Use it as a compliment
Saying '눈치가 빠르시네요' is a great way to compliment someone's social skills.
Use it as a compliment
Saying '눈치가 빠르시네요' is a great way to compliment someone's social skills.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form.
그는 _____ 눈치가 빨라서 인기가 많아요.
All are grammatically possible, but '정말' is the most natural intensifier here.
🎉 Score : /1
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
2 exercices그는 _____ 눈치가 빨라서 인기가 많아요.
All are grammatically possible, but '정말' is the most natural intensifier here.
🎉 Score : /2
Questions fréquentes
1 questionsNo, it is a highly valued social skill in Korea.
Expressions liées
눈치가 없다
contrastTo be clueless
눈치를 보다
similarTo be cautious of others
Où l'utiliser
Workplace Meeting
Boss: Does anyone have the report?
Employee: Here it is, sir. I prepared it early.
Dating
A: Are you tired?
B: Wow, you're so quick-witted! I was just about to say that.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'Fast Eye' (눈치) that scans the room like a radar.
Association visuelle
Imagine a person in a meeting who notices the boss is thirsty and hands them water before the boss even asks. That's the 'fast eye' in action.
Story
Min-su is at a dinner. He sees his friend looking at the menu but not ordering. Min-su realizes his friend is broke. Min-su says, 'I'll pay for everyone!' Everyone is happy. Min-su is definitely 눈치가 빠르다.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'street smarts' in English, but more focused on social harmony than survival. In Japanese, 'Kuuki wo yomu' (reading the air) is the exact equivalent.
Word Web
Défi
For one day, try to notice one thing someone needs before they ask for it.
Review in 1, 3, 7, and 14 days.
Prononciation
Standard pronunciation.
Spectre de formalité
그분은 눈치가 매우 빠르십니다. (Describing someone's personality)
그는 눈치가 빨라요. (Describing someone's personality)
걔 눈치 진짜 빨라. (Describing someone's personality)
눈치 100단이야! (Describing someone's personality)
Derived from '눈' (eye) and '치' (measure). It refers to the ability to measure the situation with one's eyes.
Le savais-tu ?
There is a game called '눈치 게임' where you have to be the first to stand up without overlapping with others!
Notes culturelles
Nunchi is essential for workplace success.
“눈치가 빨라야 승진해요.”
Similar to 'Kuuki wo yomu'.
“空気を読むことが大切です。”
Uses '眼力' (eye power).
“他很有眼力。”
Focuses on individual 'street smarts'.
“He has good street smarts.”
Amorces de conversation
당신은 눈치가 빠른 편인가요?
Erreurs courantes
눈치가 똑똑하다
눈치가 빠르다
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
空気を読む (Kuuki wo yomu)
The Japanese term focuses on the 'air', while Korean focuses on the 'eye'.
Street smarts / Reading the room
English is more individualistic; Korean is more collective.
Ser avispado
Spanish focuses on individual sharpness, not social harmony.
Avoir du flair
French intuition is often about business or opportunity.
Den Braten riechen
German is about suspicion; Korean is about harmony.
فطن (Fatin)
Arabic is more about general intellect.
有眼力 (Yǒu yǎnlì)
Very close, both share the 'eye' root.
Ser esperto
Portuguese is more about individual cleverness.
Spotted in the Real World
“너 진짜 눈치 없다!”
Deok-sun is frustrated with her friend.
Facile à confondre
Learners mix up 'being clueless' with 'being cautious'.
없다 = you don't see it. 보다 = you are looking for it.
Questions fréquentes (1)
No, it is a highly valued social skill in Korea.
cultural usage
