Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '눈길' literally means 'line of vision' or 'gaze.' It refers to the direction or focus of someone's eyes, often implying attention or interest. It is commonly used to describe how people look at something or someone.
Common Contexts
'눈길' is frequently used in everyday conversation to talk about eye contact, attention, or the way someone looks at another person or object. It can express curiosity, avoidance, attraction, or scrutiny depending on the context.
Collocations and Patterns
- 눈길을 주다: to give a glance or look, often implying noticing or paying attention.
- 눈길을 피하다: to avoid someone's gaze, showing discomfort or shyness.
- 눈길을 끌다: to attract someone's attention or gaze.
Register and Nuance
'눈길' is a neutral noun suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is often used in written and spoken Korean to describe visual attention without strong emotional connotations unless combined with other words.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '눈길' with '시선,' which also means gaze or line of sight. While similar, '시선' is more formal and often used in literary or official contexts, whereas '눈길' is more conversational and can carry a softer, more personal nuance.