Korean Dictionary
How to say "Uneasy" in Korean
“Uneasy” in Korean is 어색하다 (pronounced "Eosaekada").
어색하다
Eosaekada
Usage & Context
Describes social awkwardness or discomfort. Very common in Korean conversation about first meetings, reunions after conflicts, or unfamiliar social situations. 어색한 분위기 (awkward atmosphere) is a phrase everyone knows.
Example Sentence
처음 만난 사람들이라 분위기가 좀 어색해요.
It's a bit uneasy/awkward since we're meeting for the first time.
How to use 어색하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Uneasy” is 어색하다, romanized as Eosaekada.
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 어색하다.
Pronunciation Guide
어 (Eo) sounds like 'uh' in 'butter'. 색 (saek) is like 'sek' in 'sexy' but with a slightly more open 'ae' sound, like 'sack'. The 'k' is light. 하 (ha) is 'hah'. 다 (da) is 'dah'. The stress is fairly even.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
어색해요
Eosaekhaeyo
This is the common polite form used in most daily conversations.
Casual (반말)
어색해
Eosaekhae
Used when speaking to close friends, family, or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Describing the initial awkwardness after a long separation.
오랜만에 만난 친구와 처음엔 좀 어색했다.
It was a bit awkward at first with a friend I hadn't seen in a long time.
Someone feeling uncomfortable and showing it through their expression.
그는 어색한 미소를 지으며 인사를 건넸다.
He gave an awkward smile and greeted me.
Feeling out of place or uncomfortable in an unfamiliar setting.
새로운 환경이라 아직 모든 것이 어색해요.
Everything still feels awkward because it's a new environment.
Cultural Context
어색하다 is a frequently used word in Korean to describe social awkwardness, discomfort, or unfamiliarity. It's common to feel '어색하다' during first meetings, after a disagreement, or in any new social situation. K-dramas often feature '어색한 침묵' (awkward silence) or '어색한 분위기' (awkward atmosphere) between characters who are just getting to know each other or are experiencing tension. It's a relatable feeling that Koreans often discuss openly.
Editorial note
We review entries like 어색하다 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
어색한 침묵
awkward silence
어색한 분위기
awkward atmosphere
어색한 미소
awkward smile
Related Expressions
뻘쭘하다
ppeoljyumhada
awkward, embarrassed (informal)
서먹하다
seomeokhada
awkward, unfamiliar, distant
자연스럽다
jayeonseureopda
to be natural, comfortable (antonym)
불편하다
bulpyeonhada
to be uncomfortable (related feeling)
More Emotions Words
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