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한국어
궁금 — meaning in English: Curious
gung · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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wonder
인덱스
indegseu
교환
gyohwan
수도원
sudowon
도움
doum
궁금
gung
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informal
very common
Usage
Native speakers commonly use 궁금 (gung) in everyday conversations to express curiosity about various topics. For instance, one might say 궁금해요 (gung-haeyo) when asking a friend about a new movie plot or inquiring about an unexplained event, like a surprise party. It's often used in casual settings among friends or during informal discussions.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is 호기심 (hogeosim), which means 'curiosity' but is more about the trait of being curious rather than the immediate feeling itself. You would use 궁금 when you specifically want to express your current state of curiosity about something.
Culture
The word 궁금 (gung) stems from the Korean verb 궁금하다, which literally translates to 'to be curious.' This reflects a cultural value placed on curiosity and inquiry, often seen in traditional Korean storytelling, where characters express their curiosity about the world around them. Interestingly, the concept of curiosity is central in many Korean idioms, illustrating how deeply it is woven into the fabric of the language.
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