Korean Dictionary
How to say "Bashful" in Korean
“Bashful” in Korean is 쑥스럽다 (pronounced "Ssukseureopda").
쑥스럽다
Ssukseureopda
Usage & Context
Describes mild social shyness, especially when receiving compliments or attention. Often paired with blushing. In Korean culture, being 쑥스러워하다 (acting bashful) can be considered endearing, especially in young people and in romantic contexts.
Example Sentence
칭찬을 받으니 쑥스러워서 얼굴이 빨개졌어요.
I was so bashful from the compliment that my face turned red.
How to use 쑥스럽다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Bashful” is 쑥스럽다, romanized as Ssukseureopda.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 쑥스럽다.
Pronunciation Guide
쑥 (ssuk) sounds like 'sook' in 'book' but with a tense 'ss' sound. 쓰 (sseu) is like 'seu' in 'Seoul' but also with a tense 'ss'. 럽 (reop) is similar to 'lup' in 'lupine', and 다 (da) is like 'da' in 'dad'. The tense 'ss' sounds require a bit more vocal effort.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
쑥스럽습니다 / 쑥스러워요
Ssukseureopseumnida / Ssukseureowoyo
쑥스럽습니다 is more formal, 쑥스러워요 is standard polite.
Casual (반말)
쑥스러워
Ssukseureowo
Used with close friends or those younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Feeling shy in a public performance setting.
갑자기 무대 위에 서려니 너무 쑥스러웠어요.
I felt so bashful suddenly standing on stage.
Describing a personal reaction to praise.
칭찬을 들으면 항상 쑥스러워서 어쩔 줄 몰라요.
When I hear compliments, I always get bashful and don't know what to do.
In a romantic or intimate situation.
그녀는 고백을 받고 쑥스러운 듯 미소 지었어요.
She smiled bashfully after receiving the confession.
Cultural Context
Being 쑥스럽다 (bashful) is often associated with blushing and can be seen as an endearing trait in Korean culture, especially in young people or romantic contexts, often portrayed in K-dramas. It's not necessarily a negative emotion but can indicate sincerity, modesty, or even a touch of 'aegyo' (cute display of affection). It's a mild form of shyness, often in response to unexpected attention or compliments.
Editorial note
We review entries like 쑥스럽다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
쑥스러워하다
to act bashful
쑥스러운 미소
a bashful smile
좀 쑥스럽네요
I'm a bit bashful/embarrassed.
Related Expressions
부끄럽다
Bukkureopda
to be shy, embarrassed (very close synonym)
수줍다
Sujupda
to be shy, timid (synonym, often implies more inherent shyness)
당당하다
Dangdanghada
to be confident, assertive (antonym)
쑥스러움
Ssukseureoum
bashfulness (noun)
More Emotions Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Bashful and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
