Level 5

숨소리

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Understanding '숨소리'

The word '숨소리' literally means 'sound of breathing' and is commonly used to describe the audible noise made when someone breathes. It can indicate various states such as calmness, nervousness, or fatigue depending on the context.

Usage in Daily Life

You might hear '숨소리' used when describing quiet environments where even breathing sounds are noticeable, or when someone's breathing changes due to emotion or physical condition.

Common Collocations

  • 숨소리조차 (even the sound of breathing): emphasizes extreme silence.
  • 숨소리가 거칠다 (breathing sound is rough): often used to describe nervousness or tiredness.
  • 숨소리가 크게 들리다 (breathing sound is loud): can indicate discomfort or disturbance.

Register and Nuance

'숨소리' is a neutral noun used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often used in descriptive or narrative speech rather than technical medical terms.

Learner Tip

Be careful not to confuse '숨소리' with '숨' alone, which means 'breath' or 'to hide.' '숨소리' specifically refers to the audible sound of breathing, which can be a subtle but important detail in conversation or storytelling.

Example Sentences

그는 너무 조용해서 숨소리조차 들리지 않았다.

Geuneun neomu joyeonghaeseo sumsorijoch'a deulliji anh-assda.

He was so quiet that even his breathing sound couldn't be heard.

숨소리가 거칠어지면 긴장하거나 피곤할 때가 많다.

Sumsoriga geochireojimyeon ginjanghagena pigonhal ttaega manta.

When the breathing sound becomes rough, it often means one is nervous or tired.

밤에 숨소리가 크게 들려서 잠을 잘 수 없었다.

Bame sumsoriga keuge deullyeoseo jameul jal su eopseotda.

I couldn't sleep because the breathing sounds were loud at night.