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A2 noun 11 min de lecture

조바심

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 조바심 en 30 secondes

Explication 조바심 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '조바심' (jobasim) very often, but it is helpful to recognize it as a word for 'feeling nervous or impatient.' Think of it like being in a hurry for something important. For example, if you are waiting for a bus and you are late, that feeling in your heart is '조바심.' You can simply remember it as 'bad waiting feeling.' In very simple Korean, you might say '마음이 급해요' (My heart is in a hurry), but '조바심' is the specific name for that feeling. When you see this word, think of someone looking at their watch many times. It is a noun, so it usually comes with '이 나요' (it happens/I feel it). At this stage, just focus on the idea that it's a mix of 'worry' and 'hurry.' It is a common emotion in Korea because people like to do things quickly. If you tell a Korean friend '조바심이 나요,' they will understand that you are stressed about waiting for something right now. It's a very human word that helps you express your feelings simply and clearly once you learn the basic pattern.

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At the A2 level, you should start using '조바심' to describe daily situations. This is the level where you can distinguish between 'being worried' (걱정) and 'being impatient' (조바심). You might use it when talking about waiting for a phone call from a friend, waiting for exam results, or being stuck in traffic. A common phrase to learn is '조바심 내지 마세요' (Don't be so impatient/anxious). This is a very kind and common thing to say to someone who is stressing out. You should also notice how it is used with the particle '-이' in '조바심이 나다' (to feel anxious) and the particle '-을' in '조바심을 내다' (to act anxious). At this level, you can also understand that this word comes from a rural history of threshing millet, which was a very fidgety job. This helps you remember that the word is about 'restlessness.' You might see it in simple stories or hear it in dramas when a character is waiting for a date. It's a great word to add to your emotional vocabulary because it's more specific than just saying 'I'm stressed.' It shows you understand the nuance of Korean culture and how people experience time and waiting.

At the B1 level, you can use '조바심' to describe more complex emotional states and social situations. You should be able to explain *why* someone is feeling this way. For example, '취업이 안 돼서 조바심이 나요' (I feel anxious because I haven't found a job yet). You can also start to use it as a reason for an action: '조바심에 실수를 했어요' (I made a mistake because of my impatience). This level requires you to understand that '조바심' is often a negative force that leads to poor results. You can discuss the 'Pali-Pali' culture of Korea and how it creates 'jobasim' in students and workers. You should also be able to compare it with '조급함' (jogeupam), which is a bit more formal. When you use '조바심,' you are focusing on the *restless heart*, whereas '조급함' focuses on the *hasty mind*. B1 learners should also be comfortable using the word in different tenses, like '조바심이 났었어요' (I was feeling anxious). You might also encounter it in more varied contexts, such as sports (waiting for a goal) or cooking (waiting for the water to boil). It's a word that adds a layer of 'restless energy' to your descriptions of people's behavior.

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At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of '조바심' and be able to use it in sophisticated discussions about psychology and society. You can talk about '성공에 대한 조바심' (anxiety/impatience regarding success) and how it affects mental health. At this level, you should also be familiar with the more intense version, '조바심을 태우다' (to burn with anxiety), which is often used in literature or high-stakes storytelling. You can analyze how 'jobasim' is portrayed in Korean media—not just as a minor inconvenience, but as a significant psychological burden. You should be able to use the word in complex sentences with various connectors, such as '조바심이 나면 날수록 일이 더 안 풀린다' (The more anxious/impatient you get, the more things don't work out). You can also discuss the cultural antonyms like '여유' (yeoyu) and explain how achieving 'yeoyu' is a way to overcome 'jobasim.' This level involves understanding the societal pressures in Korea that lead to a collective sense of 'jobasim,' such as the pressure to get into top universities or the rapid pace of economic change. Your usage should reflect an understanding that this isn't just a personal feeling, but often a social phenomenon.

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At the C1 level, your understanding of '조바심' should be deep enough to recognize its use in classical literature, formal essays, and professional psychological contexts. You should be able to discuss the etymology of the word—the 'millet-threshing heart'—and how this agricultural metaphor still resonates in a high-tech society. You can use '조바심' to critique modern lifestyles, perhaps writing an essay on how digital technology has increased our 'jobasim' by making us wait for 'likes' and 'replies.' You should be able to distinguish '조바심' from very similar terms like '안달' (andal) or '조마조마함' (jomajomaham - the feeling of being on edge/nervous), using each in their correct register. In professional settings, you might use '조바심' to describe market sentiments or the mood of a negotiation. You should also be able to use it metaphorically, such as '역사의 조바심' (the impatience of history). At this level, you are expected to handle the word with stylistic flair, using it to add emotional weight to your writing and speaking. You can also understand the subtle social cues when someone uses this word—whether they are admitting a weakness, apologizing for being pushy, or criticizing someone else's lack of composure.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '조바심' and its various connotations across history and genre. You can appreciate its use in poetry where the 'flickering' or 'burning' nature of the emotion is highlighted. You can engage in academic debates about the 'Korean psyche' and whether 'jobasim' is an inherent trait or a product of modern history (such as the rapid reconstruction after the Korean War). You are comfortable using the word in all its grammatical forms and can even recognize archaic or dialectal variations if they appear in older texts. You can explain the word to others by drawing parallels to concepts in other languages (like 'fretfulness' or 'restless anticipation') while highlighting what makes the Korean 'jobasim' unique. Your usage is precise: you know exactly when '조바심을 내다' implies a lack of maturity versus when '조바심이 나다' implies a natural human reaction. You can also use it in creative writing to build tension, describing the 'jobasim' that fills a room before a major revelation. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item; it is a tool for deep cultural and psychological analysis, allowing you to navigate the most subtle nuances of Korean thought and expression.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

조바심 en 30 secondes

조바심 is a noun meaning 'anxious impatience.' It describes the restless feeling you get when waiting for something important or when things are delayed.
It is commonly used in phrases like '조바심이 나다' (to feel anxious) and '조바심을 내다' (to act impatiently or fretfully).
The word has a unique history, coming from the difficult and repetitive task of threshing millet, symbolizing a heart that is being 'threshed' by worry.
Culturally, it is a key word in Korea's fast-paced society, often used to describe the stress of students, job seekers, and professionals under pressure.

The Korean word 조바심 (Jobasim) is a deeply evocative noun that captures a specific flavor of human emotion: the restless, itchy, and often uncomfortable mixture of anxiety and impatience. While English speakers might use separate words for 'being nervous' and 'being in a hurry,' Korean combines these into a single psychological state where one’s heart is fluttering not with excitement, but with the stressful anticipation of an outcome that hasn't arrived yet. It is the feeling you get when you are waiting for a crucial text message, or when you are standing in a long line and realize you might be late for a meeting. It isn't just a quiet worry; it is an active, 'fidgety' kind of stress that often manifests physically.

Core Nuance: Unlike general anxiety (불안), which can be vague and long-term, 조바심 is usually tied to a specific timeline or event. It is the 'restlessness' of wanting something to happen faster or fearing that it won't happen as planned.
Physical Manifestation: When someone has 조바심, they might pace back and forth, check their watch every ten seconds, or tap their feet. It is a 'busy' kind of worry.

To truly understand this word, we must look at its fascinating etymology. It originates from the process of threshing millet (조). Millet grains are notoriously small and difficult to separate from their husks. In the past, farmers would feel a sense of urgent, nervous energy while trying to finish this tedious task before the weather changed or before the sun went down. This 'millet-threshing heart' (조바심) eventually became the standard term for any restless impatience. It implies that the person is 'threshing' their own heart with worry.

“시험 결과가 나오지 않아서 하루 종일 조바심이 났다.” (Because the exam results didn't come out, I felt restless with anxiety all day long.)

— A common expression of academic stress.

In modern Korean society, which is famous for its 'Pali-Pali' (hurry-hurry) culture, 조바심 is a very common emotion. You will hear it used in professional settings when deadlines are approaching, in romantic contexts when someone hasn't called back, and in parenting when a child isn't reaching milestones as fast as others. It is a word that highlights the Korean emphasis on speed and the psychological toll that waiting can take on an individual.

“그는 조바심을 내며 시계를 자꾸 쳐다보았다.” (He impatiently kept looking at his watch.)

It is important to distinguish this from 'fear.' You aren't necessarily 'afraid' of the millet; you are just anxious to get it done. Similarly, when you feel 조바심, you aren't necessarily terrified; you are just extremely unsettled by the delay or the uncertainty of the immediate future. It is a very 'active' noun that is almost always paired with verbs of movement or internal 'burning.'

Social Context: In a competitive society, 조바심 is often the driving force behind productivity, but it is also recognized as a primary source of burnout. When you hear a Korean friend say they have 'jobasim,' they are asking for your patience or empathy.

“너무 조바심 내지 마세요. 다 잘 될 거예요.” (Don't be so anxious/impatient. Everything will be fine.)

Finally, consider the emotional weight. Unlike 'fear' (공포) which is sharp and sudden, or 'sadness' (슬픔) which is heavy and slow, 조바심 is 'vibrational.' It is a high-frequency emotion that makes the sufferer feel like they are vibrating with the need for a resolution. It is the quintessential word for the modern age of instant gratification and the stress that occurs when that gratification is delayed.

Using 조바심 correctly requires understanding its relationship with specific Korean verbs. Because it is a state of mind, it doesn't just 'exist'; it 'arises,' 'is made,' or 'is burned.' Mastering these pairings will make your Korean sound much more natural and expressive.

Pattern 1: 조바심이 나다 (To feel anxious/impatient): This is the most common way to describe the internal feeling. The subject is the 'jobasim' itself, which 'comes out' or 'occurs' within you. Use this when you are describing how you feel inside.

“기차가 연착되자 승객들은 조바심이 나기 시작했다.” (When the train was delayed, the passengers began to feel anxious.)

The second most common pattern is 조바심을 내다. In Korean, the verb '내다' (to put out/produce) is often used when an internal emotion is visible to others through actions. If you are pacing, tapping your pen, or asking 'Is it done yet?' every five minutes, you are '내고' (producing) 조바심.

Pattern 2: 조바심을 내다 (To act impatiently): This is often used in the negative to tell someone to calm down: "조바심 내지 마!" (Don't be so impatient/fretful!). It focuses on the external behavior.

“그는 합격 소식을 기다리며 조바심을 냈다.” (He acted impatiently while waiting for the news of his acceptance.)

A more literary and intense version is 조바심을 태우다. The verb '태우다' means 'to burn.' When you 'burn jobasim,' it implies that the anxiety is so intense it is consuming you from the inside, like a fire. This is common in novels or dramatic storytelling.

Pattern 3: 조바심을 태우다 (To be extremely worried/fretful): This suggests a higher level of emotional distress. It’s the feeling of your 'insides burning' with wait and worry.

“어머니는 늦게 귀가하는 아들 때문에 조바심을 태우셨다.” (The mother was burning with anxiety because of her son who was returning home late.)

When using this word in a sentence, it often appears with the particle -에 to show cause: "조바심에..." (Due to anxiety...). For example, "조바심에 실수를 했다" (I made a mistake due to my impatience). This is a very common way to explain the reason for a blunder or a hasty decision.

In terms of sentence structure, 조바심 is usually the object of the verb or the subject of a descriptive clause. It is rarely used as a standalone exclamation. You wouldn't just shout "조바심!" like you might shout "Fire!" Instead, it describes a persistent state. You can also use it with '치다' (to hit/strike) in very specific regional or older dialects, though '나다' and '내다' are the gold standards for modern learners.

“아이의 성적이 오르지 않자 부모님은 조바심이 생겼다.” (When the child's grades didn't improve, the parents developed a sense of anxious impatience.)

Finally, remember that 조바심 is a noun that can be modified by adjectives. You can have '큰 조바심' (great anxiety) or '괜한 조바심' (useless/unnecessary anxiety). The latter is very common when telling someone they are worrying over nothing: "괜한 조바심 내지 마세요" (Don't be anxious for no reason).

You will encounter 조바심 in almost every corner of Korean life, from the high-stakes world of corporate business to the intimate setting of a family dinner. It is a word that resonates with the collective Korean psyche, which values efficiency and results.

In the Workplace: Managers often warn employees not to let 조바심 lead to mistakes. Conversely, a manager might feel 조바심 when a project is behind schedule. It’s the sound of high-pressure environments.

“마감 기한이 다가올수록 팀원들 사이에 조바심이 번졌다.” (As the deadline approached, anxiety spread among the team members.)

In Korean dramas (K-Dramas), 조바심 is a staple of romantic tension. When a character is waiting for their crush to reply to a text, the camera often zooms in on their restless hands or their frequent checking of the phone. The narrator or the character's internal monologue will often use the word 조바심 to describe this 'heart-fluttering-yet-painful' wait.

You will also hear it frequently in news broadcasts, especially regarding the economy or politics. If the stock market is volatile, reporters might say that 'investors are feeling 조바심.' If a diplomatic negotiation is taking too long, the public might feel '조바심.' In these contexts, it takes on a more serious, collective meaning.

“경제 불황이 계속되자 취업 준비생들의 조바심이 커지고 있다.” (As the economic recession continues, the anxiety of job seekers is growing.)

In parenting and education, the word is ubiquitous. Korean parents are often criticized for having too much 조바심 regarding their children's academic performance. Educational consultants often advise parents: "아이를 믿고 조바심을 버리세요" (Trust your child and let go of your impatience/anxiety). This reflects a cultural conversation about the pressure placed on the younger generation.

Sports and Competitions: Commentators often use this word when an athlete is trying too hard to score and ends up making an error. They might say, '조바심 때문에 평소의 실력을 발휘하지 못하고 있습니다' (Due to impatience, they are unable to show their usual skill).

“마지막 1분을 남겨두고 선수들은 조바심을 냈다.” (With one minute remaining, the players acted impatiently.)

Finally, you'll hear it in everyday conversations between friends. If you are waiting for a friend who is 10 minutes late, and they call you, you might say, "빨리 와, 나 지금 조바심 나!" (Hurry up, I'm getting restless/anxious!). It’s a way to express that the wait is becoming emotionally taxing. It is a word that bridges the gap between a minor annoyance and a significant psychological stressor.

While 조바심 is a common word, learners often confuse it with other terms for 'worry' or 'anxiety.' Understanding the subtle boundaries between these words is key to achieving fluency.

Mistake 1: Confusing 조바심 with 걱정 (Geokjeong): 걱정 is the general word for 'worry.' You can worry about your health, the environment, or the future in a general sense. 조바심 is specifically about the restlessness of waiting for something. If you are worried about a test next month, use 걱정. If you are waiting for the test results right now and can't sit still, use 조바심.

Another common error is using the wrong verb. English speakers often want to say "I have 조바심," but in Korean, you don't 'have' it (가지다) in common speech. You 'have' it in the sense that it 'arises' (나다) or you 'produce' it (내다).

“나는 조바심을 가지고 있다 (X) → 나는 조바심이 난다 (O)”

— Natural Korean uses '나다' (to arise) for feelings.

Mistake 2: Confusing with 불안 (Buran): 불안 means 'anxiety' or 'instability.' It is a much heavier, often darker word. You feel 불안 during a war or a major life crisis. 조바심 is 'fidgety' and 'impatient.' It's the difference between being 'terrified' and being 'anxious to get it over with.'

Learners also sometimes confuse it with 급하다 (Geup-hada), which means 'to be urgent' or 'to be in a hurry.' While they are related, 급하다 describes the situation or a person's general personality (성격이 급하다), whereas 조바심 describes the specific emotional state of restlessness caused by that urgency.

“빨리 가야 해서 조바심이 났다.” (I felt impatient because I had to go quickly.)

A subtle mistake is using 조바심 in purely positive contexts. While 'excitement' (설레임) involves a bit of restlessness, 조바심 almost always has a negative or stressful connotation. If you are 'impatient' to see your favorite singer because you love them, use '기대되다' (to look forward to) or '설레다' (to be fluttery). Use 조바심 when the waiting is making you stressed or annoyed.

Mistake 3: Overusing '내다': Remember that '조바심을 내다' sounds like you are actively expressing your impatience to others. If you are quietly feeling it inside, '조바심이 나다' is the safer and more common choice.

To expand your Korean vocabulary, it is helpful to see where 조바심 fits among other words related to worry and speed. Each of these has a slightly different shade of meaning.

안달 (Andal): This is even more intense than 조바심. It describes a state of being so anxious or impatient that you are almost acting crazy or desperate. It is often used as '안달이 나다' or '안달을 복달하다' (to be in a real tizzy).
조급함 (Jogeupam): This is the formal, slightly more 'dry' version of impatience. It comes from the Hanja words for 'hasty' (조) and 'urgent' (급). You might see this in psychological reports or formal writing. While 조바심 is more emotional and 'felt,' 조급함 is more of a character trait or a logical description of speed.
불안 (Buran): As mentioned before, this is 'anxiety.' It is broader. You can be 불안 without being impatient. For example, you might be 불안 about the future of the planet, but you aren't necessarily in a hurry for the future to arrive.

Let's look at a comparison table to see these in action:

Word	Nuance	Example
조바심	Restless impatience for a result	Waiting for a reply
안달	Desperate, frantic impatience	Begging for a favor
조급함	Hasty mindset (formal)	Making a quick decision
걱정	General worry/concern	Worrying about health

If you want to express the opposite of 조바심, you would use words like:

느긋함 (Neugeutam): This is the quality of being relaxed, carefree, and not in a hurry. A person who is '느긋하다' is the complete opposite of someone feeling '조바심.'
여유 (Yeoyu): This means 'room,' 'leeway,' or 'composure.' It is the mental space that allows you to remain calm under pressure. Having 'yeoyu' is the ultimate cure for 'jobasim.'

“그는 조바심을 버리고 여유를 가지기로 했다.” (He decided to throw away his anxiety and have some composure.)

In summary, choose 조바심 when you want to describe that specific, itchy feeling of waiting. Use 안달 for something more frantic, 조급함 for a more formal discussion of haste, and 걱정 for general worries. By mastering these distinctions, you will be able to describe the complex landscape of human emotions in Korean with much greater precision.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Millet grains are tiny and hard to thresh. Farmers would feel a frantic, repetitive stress trying to get the grains out, which is why the word now describes that specific 'itchy' feeling of impatient worry.

Guide de prononciation

UK /tɕo.ba.ɕim/

US /dʒoʊ.bɑ.ʃim/

In Korean, syllables generally have equal stress, but there is a slight melodic rise on the second syllable 'ba' in natural speech.

Rime avec

관심 (gwansim - interest) 욕심 (yoksim - greed) 진심 (jinsim - sincerity) 민심 (minsim - public sentiment) 동심 (dongsim - childhood innocence) 의심 (uisim - doubt) 핵심 (haeksim - core) 결심 (gyeolsim - determination)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'jo' as a very hard English 'J'. It should be more aspirated like a soft 'ch'.
Making the 'sim' sound like 'sim' in 'simple'. It should be closer to 'sheem'.
Over-emphasizing the 'ba' syllable.
Pronouncing 'b' like a hard 'p'.
Failing to keep the vowels short and crisp.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is common in literature and news, making it easy to spot once learned.

Écriture 3/5

Requires knowledge of correct verb pairings (나다 vs 내다).

Expression orale 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but using it with the right nuance takes practice.

Écoute 2/5

Very common in dramas and daily conversation, usually easy to hear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

마음 (heart) 걱정 (worry) 기다리다 (to wait) 급하다 (to be urgent) 나다 (to arise)

Apprends ensuite

안달 (desperate impatience) 초조 (nervousness) 여유 (composure) 조급함 (haste) 불안 (anxiety)

Avancé

전전긍긍 (trembling with fear) 노심초사 (worrying with all one's heart) 좌불안석 (unable to sit still due to anxiety) 안절부절 (restless/fidgety)

Grammaire à connaître

Noun + 이/가 나다 (Emotions arising)

조바심이 나다, 화가 나다, 짜증이 나다.

Noun + 을/를 내다 (Expressing emotions outwardly)

조바심을 내다, 화를 내다, 용기를 내다.

-아/어서 (Cause/Reason)

조바심이 나서 실수를 했어요.

-지 마세요 (Prohibition)

너무 조바심 내지 마세요.

-기 시작하다 (Start doing something)

기다림이 길어지자 조바심이 나기 시작했다.

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Exemples par niveau

친구가 안 와서 조바심이 나요.

I feel anxious because my friend isn't coming.

조바심이 나다 is used to express 'feeling' the anxiety.

너무 조바심 내지 마세요.

Don't be so impatient/anxious.

조바심을 내다 means 'to act' impatiently.

버스가 늦어서 조바심이 났어요.

The bus was late, so I felt anxious.

Past tense of '나다' is '났다'.

시험 때문에 조바심이 나요.

I'm anxious because of the exam.

'때문에' means 'because of'.

그는 조바심에 계속 걸어 다녔어요.

He kept walking around due to anxiety.

'-에' here shows the reason (due to).

엄마가 조바심을 내며 전화를 했어요.

Mom called while acting very anxious.

'-며' indicates two actions happening at once.

조바심은 건강에 나빠요.

Anxiety is bad for health.

Topic marker '-은' is used for general statements.

왜 그렇게 조바심을 내요?

Why are you being so impatient?

'그렇게' means 'like that' or 'so'.

결과를 기다리는 동안 조바심이 났어요.

I felt anxious while waiting for the results.

'-는 동안' means 'while' or 'during'.

조바심을 내면 실수를 하기 쉬워요.

If you are impatient, it's easy to make mistakes.

'-기 쉽다' means 'it is easy to...'.

선생님은 학생들이 조바심을 낼까 봐 걱정하셨어요.

The teacher was worried that the students might get anxious.

'-을까 봐' means 'worried that...'.

그는 조바심을 이기려고 심호흡을 했어요.

He took a deep breath to overcome his anxiety.

'-으려고' means 'in order to'.

우리는 조바심이 나서 잠을 못 잤어요.

We couldn't sleep because we were so anxious.

'-아/어서' indicates a cause or reason.

조바심을 내지 말고 천천히 하세요.

Don't be impatient and take it slow.

'-지 말고' means 'don't do X, but do Y'.

그의 얼굴에 조바심이 가득했어요.

His face was full of anxiety.

'가득하다' means 'to be full of'.

조바심이 생기면 음악을 들어요.

When I get anxious, I listen to music.

'-면' means 'if' or 'when'.

취업 준비가 길어지자 조바심이 생기기 시작했다.

As the job search got longer, I started to feel anxious.

'-자' indicates that one action follows another immediately.

부모님의 조바심이 아이에게 스트레스가 되었다.

The parents' impatience became stress for the child.

Noun + '이/가 되다' means 'to become something'.

그는 조바심을 감추려고 애를 썼지만 쉽지 않았다.

He tried hard to hide his anxiety, but it wasn't easy.

'애를 쓰다' means 'to make an effort'.

조바심에 쫓기듯 일을 처리하면 안 됩니다.

You shouldn't handle work as if being chased by anxiety.

'-듯' means 'as if' or 'like'.

성공하고 싶은 조바심이 그를 힘들게 했다.

The impatience to succeed made things hard for him.

'-게 하다' is a causative form meaning 'to make someone...'.

우리는 조바심을 버리고 기다리기로 합의했다.

We agreed to let go of our anxiety and wait.

'-기로 하다' means 'to decide to'.

그녀는 조바심을 내는 대신 책을 읽었다.

Instead of being anxious, she read a book.

'-는 대신에' means 'instead of'.

조바심이 날 때는 잠시 쉬어가는 것이 좋다.

When you feel anxious, it's good to take a short break.

'-는 것이 좋다' means 'it is good to...'.

현대인들은 정보의 홍수 속에서 조바심을 느끼며 산다.

Modern people live feeling anxious in the flood of information.

'-며' is used to connect two simultaneous states.

그의 침착함은 상대방의 조바심을 유도했다.

His calmness induced the other party's impatience.

'유도하다' means 'to induce' or 'to lead to'.

조바심을 태우며 기다리던 소식이 드디어 도착했다.

The news I had been waiting for with burning anxiety finally arrived.

'-던' is a retrospective modifier for an ongoing past action.

주식 시장의 변동성 때문에 투자자들은 조바심을 내고 있다.

Investors are acting impatiently due to stock market volatility.

'-고 있다' is the progressive tense.

조바심은 때로 창의성을 방해하는 요소가 된다.

Anxiety/impatience sometimes becomes a factor that hinders creativity.

'방해하다' means 'to hinder' or 'to interfere'.

그는 조바심을 억누르고 차분하게 발표를 이어갔다.

He suppressed his anxiety and calmly continued the presentation.

'억누르다' means 'to suppress' or 'to hold back'.

성급한 조바심은 결국 일을 그르치게 만든다.

Hasty impatience eventually causes one to ruin the task.

'그르치다' means 'to spoil' or 'to ruin'.

조바심을 내기보다는 상황을 객관적으로 봐야 한다.

Rather than being anxious, one should look at the situation objectively.

'-기보다는' means 'rather than doing...'.

작가는 주인공의 내면적 조바심을 섬세하게 묘사했다.

The author delicately depicted the protagonist's inner restlessness.

'묘사하다' means 'to describe' or 'to depict'.

사회의 빠른 변화는 구성원들에게 만성적인 조바심을 안겨준다.

Rapid social changes give members a chronic sense of anxiety.

'안겨주다' means 'to give' or 'to cause someone to have'.

그는 조바심에 사로잡혀 올바른 판단을 내리지 못했다.

He was seized by anxiety and could not make a correct judgment.

'사로잡히다' means 'to be seized' or 'to be captivated by'.

혁신에 대한 조바심이 오히려 독이 될 수도 있다.

The impatience for innovation can actually become poison.

'-이/가 독이 되다' is a metaphor for 'being harmful'.

조바심을 달래기 위해 그는 명상을 시작했다.

To soothe his anxiety, he started meditating.

'달래다' means 'to soothe' or 'to comfort'.

그의 글에는 시대의 흐름을 따라가지 못하는 조바심이 묻어 있다.

His writing is stained with the anxiety of not being able to keep up with the times.

'-이/가 묻어 있다' means 'to be stained with' or 'to be reflected in'.

조바심은 인간의 본능적인 방어 기제 중 하나일지도 모른다.

Anxiety might be one of human's instinctive defense mechanisms.

'-일지도 모른다' means 'might be' or 'could be'.

그녀는 조바심을 원동력으로 삼아 프로젝트를 완수했다.

She completed the project using her anxiety as a driving force.

'-을 원동력으로 삼다' means 'to use something as a driving force'.

근대화 과정에서의 조바심이 한국의 압축 성장을 이끌었다는 분석이 있다.

There is an analysis that the impatience during the modernization process led to Korea's compressed growth.

'압축 성장' refers to rapid economic development.

실존적 조바심은 인간이 유한한 존재임을 깨달을 때 극대화된다.

Existential anxiety is maximized when humans realize they are finite beings.

'유한한 존재' means 'a finite being'.

그 연설가는 군중의 조바심을 교묘하게 이용하여 지지를 이끌어냈다.

The speaker subtly exploited the crowd's impatience to draw support.

'교묘하게' means 'artfully' or 'subtly'.

조바심이라는 감정의 기저에는 불확실성에 대한 공포가 깔려 있다.

At the base of the emotion called 'jobasim' lies the fear of uncertainty.

'-의 기저에는' means 'at the base/foundation of'.

그의 철학은 조바심을 넘어서는 초월적 평온을 지향한다.

His philosophy aims for a transcendental calm that goes beyond anxiety.

'지향하다' means 'to aim for' or 'to be oriented towards'.

디지털 시대의 즉각성은 우리에게서 기다림의 미학을 뺏고 조바심을 심어주었다.

The immediacy of the digital age has taken away the aesthetics of waiting and planted anxiety in us.

'심어주다' means 'to plant' or 'to instill'.

조바심에 매몰되지 않고 평정심을 유지하는 것이 진정한 리더십이다.

Maintaining composure without being buried in anxiety is true leadership.

'매몰되다' means 'to be buried' or 'to be overwhelmed'.

역사학자들은 그 정책의 실패 원인을 위정자들의 조바심에서 찾는다.

Historians find the cause of the policy's failure in the impatience of the rulers.

'위정자' refers to a ruler or a politician.

Collocations courantes

조바심이 나다

조바심을 내다

조바심을 태우다

조바심이 생기다

조바심을 버리다

조바심에 떨다

괜한 조바심

조바심이 번지다

조바심을 누르다

조바심이 앞서다

Phrases Courantes

조바심 내지 마

— Don't be impatient. Used to calm someone down.

아직 시간 많으니까 조바심 내지 마.

조바심이 나서 못 참겠다

— I'm so anxious I can't stand it. Expresses extreme restlessness.

답답해서 조바심이 나서 못 참겠어.

조바심을 치다

— To be very fretful. An older or more regional way to say 조바심을 내다.

그는 합격 여부를 두고 조바심을 쳤다.

조바심이 가득하다

— To be full of anxiety. Describes a person's expression or a room's atmosphere.

대기실은 조바심이 가득한 공기로 차 있었다.

조바심에 사로잡히다

— To be seized by anxiety. Implies the emotion is controlling the person.

그는 조바심에 사로잡혀 잠을 설쳤다.

조바심을 달래다

— To soothe one's anxiety. To try and calm down.

산책을 하며 조바심을 달랬다.

조바심이 일다

— Anxiety arises. Similar to '나다' but slightly more literary.

가슴 한구석에서 조바심이 일기 시작했다.

조바심을 억제하다

— To restrain anxiety. To try not to show or feel it.

그는 억지로 조바심을 억제했다.

조바심이 극에 달하다

— Anxiety reaches its peak. Used when the feeling is at its maximum.

기다림이 길어지자 조바심이 극에 달했다.

조바심을 부추기다

— To incite or worsen someone's anxiety.

그의 말은 나의 조바심을 부추겼다.

Souvent confondu avec

조바심 vs 걱정 (Geokjeong)

Geokjeong is general worry. Jobasim is specifically about the restlessness of waiting for a result.

조바심 vs 불안 (Buran)

Buran is a deeper, often more existential anxiety. Jobasim is more about impatience and 'fidgety' stress.

조바심 vs 조급함 (Jogeupam)

Jogeupam is more formal and focuses on the 'haste' of the mind, while Jobasim is more emotional.

Expressions idiomatiques

"조바심을 태우다"

— To be extremely anxious, as if one's heart is burning.

소식이 없어 조바심을 태우고 있어요.

Common/Literary

"조바심이 발등에 불이 떨어지다"

— While not a direct idiom, these are often used together to mean anxiety because a deadline is imminent (fire on the foot).

발등에 불이 떨어지니 조바심이 난다.

Informal

"바늘방석에 앉은 듯 조바심을 내다"

— To be as anxious as if sitting on a cushion of needles.

그는 바늘방석에 앉은 듯 조바심을 냈다.

Literary

"입술을 깨물며 조바심을 참다"

— To bite one's lips while enduring anxiety.

그녀는 입술을 깨물며 조바심을 참았다.

Descriptive

"애가 타다"

— A related idiom meaning one's 'intestines are burning' with anxiety/impatience.

아이 소식이 없어 애가 타서 조바심이 난다.

Common

"발을 동동 구르다"

— To stamp one's feet in anxiety or impatience.

그는 조바심에 발을 동동 굴렀다.

Common

"가슴이 두근반 세근반"

— Heart thumping with anxiety or excitement (often used with jobasim).

조바심에 가슴이 두근반 세근반 했다.

Informal

"피가 마르다"

— One's blood is drying up (extreme anxiety/stress).

기다리는 동안 조바심에 피가 마르는 것 같았다.

Strong/Informal

"손에 땀을 쥐다"

— To hold sweat in one's hands (suspense/anxiety).

조바심에 손에 땀을 쥐며 경기를 봤다.

Common

"목이 빠지게 기다리다"

— To wait so long and anxiously that one's neck stretches out.

조바심을 내며 목이 빠지게 기다렸다.

Common

Facile à confondre

조바심 vs 안달 (Andal)

Both mean impatience.

Andal is much more intense and frantic. You act like you're going crazy. Jobasim is more of a standard, albeit uncomfortable, anxiety.

그는 장난감을 사달라고 안달을 냈다. (He was frantic/desperate for the toy.)

조바심 vs 초조 (Chojo)

Both involve nervousness while waiting.

Chojo is often used when you are irritated or nervous because something is taking too long. Jobasim includes the fear that the outcome might be bad.

그는 초조하게 발을 굴렀다. (He stamped his feet irritably/nervously.)

조바심 vs 성급 (Seonggeup)

Both involve speed.

Seonggeup is a character trait or an adjective for an action (hasty). Jobasim is the noun for the feeling itself.

성급한 판단은 위험하다. (A hasty judgment is dangerous.)

조바심 vs 조마조마 (Jomajoma)

Both involve nervousness.

Jomajoma is the feeling of being on edge because you're afraid something might go wrong *right now*. Jobasim is a more persistent restlessness.

아이가 넘어질까 봐 조마조마하다. (I'm on edge/nervous that the child might fall.)

조바심 vs 급함 (Geupham)

Both mean 'hurry'.

Geupham is the state of being urgent. Jobasim is the emotional anxiety caused by that urgency.

일이 급해서 먼저 갈게요. (The work is urgent, so I'll go first.)

Structures de phrases

[Reason] 때문에 조바심이 나요.

지각할까 봐 조바심이 나요.

너무 조바심 내지 마세요.

천천히 하세요. 너무 조바심 내지 마세요.

조바심에 [Action/Mistake].

조바심에 서둘러 결정을 내렸어요.

조바심이 나기 시작하다.

버스가 안 오자 조바심이 나기 시작했다.

조바심을 태우며 [Wait/Action].

조바심을 태우며 합격 소식을 기다렸다.

조바심을 억누르고 [Calm Action].

그는 조바심을 억누르고 차분하게 말했다.

조바심에 사로잡히다.

그는 성공에 대한 조바심에 사로잡혀 있었다.

조바심이 기저에 깔려 있다.

그의 행동에는 조바심이 기저에 깔려 있다.

Famille de mots

Noms

조바심 (anxiety/impatience)

Verbes

조바심하다 (to be anxious/impatient - less common than 조바심을 내다)

Apparenté

마음 (heart/mind)

조급 (haste)

불안 (anxiety)

초조 (nervousness)

안달 (fretfulness)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in daily speech, literature, and news.

Erreurs courantes

Using '조바심을 가지다' → 조바심이 나다 / 조바심을 내다
In Korean, you don't 'have' (가지다) this emotion in common speech. It either 'arises' (나다) or you 'produce/act' it (내다).
Confusing with '걱정' (Geokjeong) → Use '조바심' for restless waiting.
If you are worried about your health next year, use '걱정.' If you are waiting for a doctor's call right now and can't sit still, use '조바심.'
Using it for positive excitement → 설레다 / 기대되다
조바심 is almost always negative or stressful. Don't use it for being 'impatient' to go on vacation unless the travel agency is delaying your tickets.
Confusing with '무서움' (Fear) → 조바심 is not 'fear'.
You aren't 'scared' of the thing you are waiting for; you are just anxious to know the result. Fear of a ghost is '무서움,' not '조바심.'
Telling a boss '조바심 내지 마세요' → 걱정하지 마세요 / 기다려 주세요
'조바심을 내다' can sound like a criticism of someone's behavior. Telling a superior not to '내다' 조바심 can be rude.

Astuces

Pair with '나다' for feelings

Always remember that emotions in Korean 'arise' (나다). Instead of saying 'I have 조바심,' say '조바심이 나요.' This makes your Korean sound much more native and fluid.

Understand 'Pali-Pali'

To understand 'jobasim,' you must understand Korea's 'hurry-hurry' culture. The pressure to succeed and do things quickly is a major source of this emotion in daily life.

Contrast with '여유'

Learning the antonym '여유' (yeoyu) will help you understand 'jobasim' better. 'Yeoyu' is the mental space and calm that is the opposite of this restless anxiety.

Use '-에' for reason

The particle '-에' is often used with 조바심 to show cause: '조바심에...' (Due to anxiety...). This is a very efficient way to explain why someone made a mistake or acted hastily.

Empathize with others

Saying '조바심 나시죠?' (You must be feeling anxious/impatient, right?) is a great way to show empathy to someone waiting for something important.

Use in stories

In creative writing, use '조바심' to build tension. Describe a character's physical restlessness (pacing, checking the clock) and then name the emotion as '조바심.'

Notice the register

While '조바심' is common, '조급함' is more formal. If you hear '조급함' in a news report, it's the same concept but in a more clinical or professional tone.

The 'Millet' metaphor

Remember the etymology! Threshing tiny millet seeds is frustrating and takes forever. That's exactly how 'jobasim' feels—a frustrating, tiny, repetitive worry.

Apologizing

If you've been pushy, you can say '제가 조바심이 나서 그랬어요' (I did that because I was feeling impatient/anxious). It's a very natural way to apologize for being a bit too much.

Daily check-in

Ask yourself every evening: 'Did I feel any 조바심 today?' Identifying the emotion in your own life is the best way to master the word.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Joe' (조) who is 'Busy' (바) and 'Sim-mering' (심) with impatience. Joe is busy simmering because he can't wait for his food to be ready.

Association visuelle

Imagine someone trying to catch tiny 'millet' (조) seeds falling through their fingers while looking at a clock. The seeds are small and frustrating, and the time is running out.

Word Web

조바심 (Jobasim) 기다림 (Waiting) 불안 (Anxiety) Pali-Pali (Hurry) Deadline (마감) Heart (마음) Restless (안절부절) Watch (시계)

Défi

Try to identify three times today when you felt 'jobasim.' Was it while waiting for the elevator, a web page to load, or a microwave to beep? Say '조바심이 나요' to yourself each time.

Origine du mot

Derived from the ancient Korean agricultural practice of threshing millet.

Sens originel : The word is a compound of '조' (millet), '바' (from 바심, meaning threshing), and historically associated with the 'heart' (심/心), though the '심' part is linguistically debated as either being 'heart' or a suffix for the action of threshing.

Native Korean (Pure Korean roots).

Contexte culturel

Be careful not to tell a superior '조바심 내지 마세요' (Don't be impatient) as it can sound condescending. It's better to use it for yourself or friends.

English speakers might use 'fidgety' or 'antsy,' but 조바심 is more formal than 'antsy' and more emotional than 'fretful.'

The term appears frequently in Korean self-help books about 'Living with Composure' (여유 있게 사는 법). Many K-Pop songs about waiting for a lover use this word to describe the 'painful wait.' It is a central theme in the movie 'Parasite' regarding the family's rush to secure their positions.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Waiting for a reply

답장이 안 와서 조바심이 나요.
조바심 내지 말고 좀 더 기다려 봐.
조바심에 휴대폰만 계속 보고 있어요.
괜한 조바심이었네요.

Exam season

시험 공부가 안 돼서 조바심이 나.
조바심 때문에 잠을 설쳤어.
조바심 내면 아는 것도 틀려.
조바심을 버리고 집중하자.

Job hunting

취업이 늦어져서 조바심이 생겨요.
남들은 다 합격하는데 나만 조바심 나.
조바심을 태우며 결과를 기다려요.
조바심은 취준생의 적이에요.

Traffic/Transportation

차가 막혀서 조바심이 나 죽겠어.
조바심 낸다고 차가 빨리 가는 건 아니야.
조바심에 시계만 자꾸 봐.
기차가 늦어서 승객들이 조바심을 냈다.

Relationships

그 사람 마음을 몰라서 조바심이 나.
너무 조바심 내면 상대방이 부담스러워해.
조바심에 고백을 서둘렀어.
조바심을 억누르고 기다렸어.

Amorces de conversation

"요즘 가장 조바심 나게 만드는 일이 뭐예요? (What is making you feel most anxious/impatient lately?)"

"시험 결과를 기다릴 때 조바심을 어떻게 달래나요? (How do you soothe your anxiety while waiting for exam results?)"

"한국의 '빨리빨리' 문화가 조바심을 만든다고 생각하세요? (Do you think Korea's 'Pali-Pali' culture creates impatience?)"

"조바심 때문에 실수했던 경험이 있나요? (Have you ever made a mistake because of your impatience?)"

"조바심을 버리기 위해 어떤 노력을 하시나요? (What efforts do you make to let go of your anxiety?)"

Sujets d'écriture

오늘 하루 중 조바심이 났던 순간을 적고, 그 이유와 신체적 변화를 설명해 보세요. (Write about a moment you felt anxious/impatient today, and explain the reason and physical changes.)

조바심과 여유 사이에서 균형을 잡는 나만의 방법에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about your own way of balancing between anxiety and composure.)

미래에 대한 조바심이 나를 성장시키는지, 아니면 힘들게만 하는지 분석해 보세요. (Analyze whether your anxiety about the future helps you grow or just makes things difficult.)

'조바심'이라는 단어의 유래(조 바심)를 생각하며, 내 마음의 '조'는 무엇인지 적어 보세요. (Thinking of the origin of 'jobasim,' write about what the 'millet' in your heart is.)

조바심을 내는 친구에게 해주고 싶은 따뜻한 조언의 편지를 써 보세요. (Write a warm letter of advice to a friend who is acting impatiently.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, it generally has a negative connotation. It describes a state of stress and restlessness that people usually want to avoid. While it can sometimes drive a person to work harder, it is mostly viewed as an uncomfortable emotional burden that can lead to mistakes. For example, '조바심에 실수를 했다' (I made a mistake due to impatience) shows its negative impact.

Not really. For positive excitement, use '설레다' (to be fluttery/excited) or '기대되다' (to look forward to). '조바심' implies that the waiting is causing you stress or anxiety. You wouldn't say you have '조바심' about your birthday party unless you were worried it would be canceled or delayed.

'조바심이 나다' focuses on the internal feeling that arises within you (I feel anxious). '조바심을 내다' focuses on the external behavior or expression of that anxiety (He is acting impatiently). Use '나다' for your own feelings and '내다' when describing someone's outward actions or when telling someone to stop being impatient.

You can say '조바심 내지 마세요' (Don't be so impatient/anxious). However, if you mean 'Don't worry' in a general sense, '걱정하지 마세요' is more common. Use '조바심' only if the person is specifically restless about a result or a delay.

Yes, very often. It's used to describe market anxiety, the stress of meeting deadlines, or the tension during negotiations. A manager might say, '마감 기한이 다가오니 조바심이 나네요' (I'm getting anxious as the deadline approaches).

Literally, it means 'to burn anxiety/impatience.' It is an idiomatic way to say that someone is extremely anxious, to the point where it feels like their heart or insides are burning with the stress of waiting.

It comes from '조' (millet) and '바심' (threshing). Threshing millet was a tedious, repetitive, and stressful task, especially when farmers were in a hurry. This feeling of 'millet-threshing' became a metaphor for a restless, anxious heart.

There isn't a direct slang noun, but young people often use '현기증 난다' (I'm getting dizzy) as a slangy way to say 'I can't wait/I'm so impatient' for something like a new game or a comeback.

Usually, it describes a person's state of mind. However, you can say '조바심 나는 상황' (an anxiety-inducing situation). It still refers back to the emotion that the situation creates.

Yes, it is a standard and polite word. However, you should not tell an older person '조바심 내지 마세요' as it might sound like you are correcting their behavior. Instead, you could say '걱정하지 마세요' or '느긋하게 기다리셔도 돼요' (You can wait slowly/relaxed).

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