쑥스럽다 (ssuk-seu-reop-da, ssukseureopda) · 민망하다 (min-mang-ha-da, minmanghada)
쑥스럽다 is used when feeling shy or awkward about oneself, while 민망하다 describes feeling embarrassed or awkward due to a situation or action.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Feeling shy or awkward about oneself, unsure how to act
When to use
Receiving compliments, Recalling past mistakes, In front of strangers, Receiving thanks
The nuance
Used to express embarrassment or awkwardness about one's own feelings or behavior.
Feeling embarrassed or awkward due to a situation or behavior
When to use
Falling in public, Saying something inappropriate, Others' mistakes, Unexpected situations
The nuance
Used to describe embarrassment or awkwardness caused by a situation or others' behavior.
그가 칭찬해 주니까 쑥스럽다.
geu-ga ching-chan-hae ju-ni-kka ssuk-seu-reop-da., geu ga ching chan hae ju ni kka ssuk seu reop da.
Feeling shy because of receiving a compliment oneself fits 쑥스럽다.
그가 칭찬해 주니까 민망하다.
geu-ga ching-chan-hae ju-ni-kka min-mang-ha-da., geu ga ching chan hae ju ni kka min mang ha da.
민망하다 is not appropriate here because embarrassment is about oneself, not an awkward situation.
무대에서 넘어져서 정말 민망했다.
mu-dae-e-seo neom-eo-jyeo-seo jeong-mal min-mang-haess-da., mu dae e seo neom eo jyeo seo jeong mal min mang haess da.
민망하다 correctly describes embarrassment from an awkward public mistake.
무대에서 넘어져서 쑥스러웠다.
mu-dae-e-seo neom-eo-jyeo-seo ssuk-seu-reo-woss-da., mu dae e seo neom eo jyeo seo ssuk seu reo woss da.
쑥스럽다 is inappropriate for describing embarrassment caused by an external awkward event.
그녀가 내게 감사 인사를 하니 쑥스러웠다.
geu-nyeo-ga nae-ge gam-sa in-sa-reul ha-ni ssuk-seu-reo-woss-da., geu nyeo ga nae ge gam sa in sa reul ha ni ssuk seu reo woss da.
쑥스럽다 fits when feeling shy about receiving thanks personally.
그녀가 내게 감사 인사를 하니 민망했다.
geu-nyeo-ga nae-ge gam-sa in-sa-reul ha-ni min-mang-haess-da., geu nyeo ga nae ge gam sa in sa reul ha ni min mang haess da.
민망하다 is not suitable because the situation is not awkward or embarrassing externally.
친구가 실수해서 조금 민망했다.
chin-gu-ga sil-su-hae-seo jo-geum min-mang-haess-da., chin gu ga sil su hae seo jo geum min mang haess da.
민망하다 correctly describes embarrassment caused by others' mistakes.
친구가 실수해서 쑥스러웠다.
chin-gu-ga sil-su-hae-seo ssuk-seu-reo-woss-da., chin gu ga sil su hae seo ssuk seu reo woss da.
쑥스럽다 is inappropriate because the embarrassment is not about oneself.
Which word to use when feeling shy and awkward after a friend's compliment?
What is the proper word when you fall publicly and feel embarrassed?
Which word to use when feeling embarrassed due to someone else's mistake?
Which word fits feeling shy and awkward when receiving thanks?
