Korean Dictionary
How to say "Timid" in Korean
“Timid” in Korean is 소심하다 (pronounced "Sosimhada").
소심하다
Sosimhada
Usage & Context
Describes a cautious, hesitant personality prone to fear or avoidance. In Korea, being told you're 소심해 (timid) is often meant as friendly teasing. Overcoming 소심함 (timidity) is a common character arc in Korean dramas and self-help books.
Example Sentence
저는 소심해서 새로운 것에 도전하기가 무서워요.
I'm timid, so I'm scared to try new things.
How to use 소심하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Timid” is 소심하다, romanized as Sosimhada.
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 소심하다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'soh-shim-hah-da' — 'soh' rhymes with 'so,' 'shim' rhymes with 'him' with a soft 'sh' sound, 'hah' is an open 'ah,' and 'da' is a short, clipped syllable. Four light, even beats.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
소심합니다
so-sim-ham-ni-da
Polite-formal form used in job interviews, written self-descriptions, or meetings
Casual (반말)
소심해
so-sim-hae
Casual form used with friends, often teasingly
More Example Sentences
gossiping about a shy coworker
그 사람은 소심해서 말도 잘 못 걸어요.
He's so timid he can't even start a conversation.
describing yourself in a casual personality discussion
저는 MBTI가 I라서 좀 소심한 편이에요.
I'm an introvert type on MBTI, so I'm a bit on the timid side.
jokingly vowing to get back at someone for a small slight
소심한 복수라도 해야겠어요.
I'll have to get my petty little revenge at least.
Cultural Context
소심하다 literally means 'small-hearted' (小心하다), and unlike English 'timid,' it carries a uniquely Korean nuance — it's often used self-deprecatingly or teasingly rather than as a serious insult. The set phrase 소심한 복수 ('petty revenge') is a beloved cultural meme referring to the small, harmless ways you get back at someone who wronged you — like intentionally leaving the toilet seat up. 소심하다 is also strongly associated with MBTI culture, which swept Korea in the late 2010s — 'I' types are often described as 소심하다, while the opposite 대범하다 ('bold, big-hearted') is linked to 'E' types.
Editorial note
We review entries like 소심하다 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
저는 좀 소심해요.
I'm a bit timid.
너무 소심하게 굴지 마.
Don't be so timid.
소심한 성격이에요.
I have a timid personality.
Related Expressions
내성적이다
nae-seong-jeok-i-da
to be introverted
대범하다
dae-beom-ha-da
to be bold / big-hearted (antonym)
쫄보
jjol-bo
scaredy-cat (slang)
수줍다
su-jup-da
to be shy / bashful
More Emotions Words
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