Meaning and Usage
The adjective '부끄럽다' expresses feelings of embarrassment, shyness, or shame. It is commonly used when someone feels self-conscious or awkward due to a social situation or personal mistake.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '부끄럽다' in everyday conversations when people talk about feeling shy in front of others, being embarrassed by their actions, or feeling modest when receiving compliments.
Collocations and Patterns
- '부끄럽다' + '지만' (but): Used to soften statements, especially when accepting compliments.
- '너무 부끄럽다': Emphasizes strong embarrassment.
- '부끄러워하다': The verb form meaning 'to feel shy or embarrassed.'
Register and Politeness
'부끄럽다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When speaking politely, it is often conjugated with polite endings like '-어요' or '-습니다.'
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '부끄럽다' with '창피하다,' which also means 'embarrassed' but can carry a stronger sense of shame or disgrace. '부끄럽다' is softer and more about shyness or modesty.
Use '부끄럽다' when you want to express a gentle embarrassment or shyness rather than deep shame.