What does 설레다 mean?

설레다 (seol-re-da, seolreda)

설레다 (seolleda) means to have a fluttering or trembling feeling in the chest, often from excitement or nervousness.

Heart fluttering with excitement

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

설레다(seol-re-da, seolreda)

설레다 is a verb meaning to have a fluttering or trembling feeling in one's heart, usually expressing excitement, nervousness, or anticipation.

Nuances

  • Mixed feelings of anticipation and nervousness
  • Heartbeat from love or attraction
  • Excitement about something good happening
  • Emotionally unstable trembling feeling

When to use

First date, Pre-exam nervousness, Travel anticipation, Festival atmosphere

In context

설레다 is typically used with subjects like '마음' (heart) or '가슴' (chest) to describe emotional states. It appears as '~가 설레다' and functions as a descriptive verb of feelings. It is natural in both spoken and written Korean.

Real-world examples

  • 첫 데이트라서 마음이 설렌다.

    cheos de-i-teu-ra-seo ma-eum-i seol-ren-da., cheos de i teu ra seo ma eum i seol ren da.

    '마음이 설렌다' is a natural expression and a typical use of 설레다.

  • 시험 전에 너무 설레서 잠을 못 잤다.

    si-heom jeon-e neo-mu seol-re-seo jam-eul mos jass-da., si heom jeon e neo mu seol re seo jam eul mos jass da.

    Using 설레다 to express mixed nervousness and anticipation is appropriate.

  • 그 사람을 보자마자 설레었다.

    geu sa-ram-eul bo-ja-ma-ja seol-re-eoss-da., geu sa ram eul bo ja ma ja seol re eoss da.

    This sentence expresses heartbeat from love or attraction.

  • 설레다 비가 와서 기분이 좋다.

    seol-re-da bi-ga wa-seo gi-bun-i joh-da., seol re da bi ga wa seo gi bun i joh da.

    설레다 is an emotional verb and cannot describe objects like rain.

  • 가슴이 설레는 음악을 듣고 싶다.

    ga-seum-i seol-re-neun eum-ak-eul deut-go sip-da., ga seum i seol re neun eum ak eul deut go sip da.

    Using 설레다 for music that stirs emotions is natural.

Quick quiz

  1. What is the correct meaning of 설레다?

    설레다의 뜻으로 알맞은 것은?(seol-re-da-uitteus-eu-roal-maj-eungeos-eun?, seolredauitteuseuroalmajeungeoseun?)
  2. Which sentence uses 설레다 correctly?

    다음 중 설레다를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjungseol-re-da-reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungseolredareulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  3. Which feeling is closest to 설레다?

    설레다와 가장 가까운 감정은?(seol-re-da-waga-jangga-kka-ungam-jeong-eun?, seolredawagajanggakkaungamjeongeun?)

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