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멍 때리다 Meaning in English
The Korean phrase 멍 때리다 meaning in English can be translated as “to zone out” or “to space out” in English. 멍 때리다 meaning in English describes a state of being mentally absent, daydreaming, or staring blankly without focus.
- 멍: This noun refers to a blank or dazed state.
- 때리다: Literally meaning “to hit,” but in this context, it metaphorically intensifies the action of being dazed or zoning out.
Together, 멍 때리다 vividly portrays the act of unintentionally losing focus, often accompanied by a blank facial expression. It’s a casual and relatable term frequently used in daily conversations.
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멍 때리다 Nuances and Usage
멍 때리다 is often used to describe moments when someone is mentally disengaged, either from boredom, tiredness, or deep thought.
Here are some key contexts:
- Daydreaming or Lost in Thought
- When your mind wanders to unrelated thoughts.
- Example: Staring out of a window while imagining something far away.
- Feeling Tired or Disconnected
- When you’re mentally exhausted or sleep-deprived, causing you to zone out.
- Example: Sitting blankly after a long day at work.
- A Moment of Relaxation
- When you purposely take a mental break and do nothing.
- Example: Relaxing on the couch without thinking about anything specific.
Example Sentences with 멍 때리다 Meaning in English
(Spacing out at work)
Korean: 회의 중에 멍 때리고 있다가 상사가 질문했어.
English: I was zoning out during the meeting when my boss asked a question.
- 회의 중에 (during the meeting) 멍 때리고 있다가 (was zoning out and then) 상사가 질문했어 (the boss asked a question).
(Relaxing after a stressful day)
Korean: 힘든 하루를 보낸 후 멍 때리면서 소파에 앉아 있었어.
English: After a tough day, I was sitting on the couch, just spacing out.
- 힘든 하루를 보낸 후 (after a tough day) 멍 때리면서 (while spacing out) 소파에 앉아 있었어 (was sitting on the couch).
(Daydreaming in class)
Korean: 수업 중에 멍 때리다가 중요한 내용을 놓쳤어.
English: I spaced out during class and missed something important.
- 수업 중에 (during class) 멍 때리다가 (spaced out and then) 중요한 내용을 놓쳤어 (missed something important).
Conclusion
멍 때리다 meaning in English captures a universal experience of zoning out or spacing out. Whether it’s during a boring lecture, after a hard day’s work, or while daydreaming, this phrase perfectly describes those moments of mental absence.
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