Meaning
To feel a great sense of responsibility or burden.
Cultural Background
The 'K-Jangnam' (eldest son) culture often uses this phrase. Historically, the eldest son inherited the most but also carried the absolute responsibility for the family's welfare and rituals. In Korean 'Hoesik' (work dinner) culture, a boss might use this phrase to show empathy to a subordinate who has a lot of work, saying '어깨가 무겁지?' (Shoulders are heavy, right?) The 'Suneung' (College Entrance Exam) is a time when this phrase peaks in usage. Media often describes students as being '짓눌린' by the pressure of this one-day exam. The 'Sandwich Generation' (middle-aged people supporting both kids and parents) is a modern context where this idiom is frequently used in news and social commentary.
Use with '가장' (Head of Household)
This is the most 'textbook' perfect context for this idiom. If you talk about a father's duty, use this.
Don't use for small things
If you say this because you have to wash the dishes, Koreans will think you are being extremely sarcastic or dramatic.
Meaning
To feel a great sense of responsibility or burden.
Use with '가장' (Head of Household)
This is the most 'textbook' perfect context for this idiom. If you talk about a father's duty, use this.
Don't use for small things
If you say this because you have to wash the dishes, Koreans will think you are being extremely sarcastic or dramatic.
Empathy Tool
Use it to show you understand someone's hard work. '어깨가 짓눌리시겠어요' is a very polite way to acknowledge someone's burden.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
부모님의 기대에 어깨가 ( ).
The passive form '짓눌려요' is needed because the shoulders are being pressed by the expectations.
Which situation best fits the idiom '어깨가 짓눌리다'?
다음 중 '어깨가 짓눌리다'를 사용하기 가장 적절한 상황은?
The idiom is used for significant psychological pressure or responsibility.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 이번에 큰 프로젝트 팀장을 맡으셨다면서요? B: 네, 하지만 ( ).
This correctly links the idiom to the sense of responsibility.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises부모님의 기대에 어깨가 ( ).
The passive form '짓눌려요' is needed because the shoulders are being pressed by the expectations.
다음 중 '어깨가 짓눌리다'를 사용하기 가장 적절한 상황은?
The idiom is used for significant psychological pressure or responsibility.
A: 이번에 큰 프로젝트 팀장을 맡으셨다면서요? B: 네, 하지만 ( ).
This correctly links the idiom to the sense of responsibility.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, but mostly when discussing serious life topics like work, family, or future plans. It's not for casual small talk.
Yes, you can say '무거운 짐에 어깨가 짓눌리다', but 90% of the time it's used figuratively.
'무겁다' is 'heavy'; '짓눌리다' is 'crushed'. '짓눌리다' is much stronger and implies more suffering.
You can say '어깨의 짐을 벗다' (to take off the load from the shoulders) or '어깨가 가벼워지다' (shoulders become light).
Related Phrases
어깨가 무겁다
similarShoulders are heavy.
어깨를 펴다
contrastTo straighten one's shoulders.
중압감을 느끼다
synonymTo feel heavy pressure.
짐을 짊어지다
builds onTo shoulder a burden.
