KoreanBlueprint
Daily Korean
Today’s Phrase
눈치가 있어요
nun·chi·ga is·seo·yo
nunchiga isseoyo
They are socially perceptive / Good at reading the room
Cultural Insight
눈치 is a cornerstone Korean concept with no direct English equivalent. It is the ability to intuitively read social cues, emotional undercurrents, and unspoken expectations. High 눈치 enables harmony in group settings. Low 눈치 can cause social friction. Developing 눈치 is considered a life skill in Korea.
Phrase Breakdown
눈치가
nunchiga
social awareness (subject)
눈치 = the ability to read social situations; 가 = subject
있어요
isseoyo
has / there is
있다 (to have) → 있어요 (polite)
Compliments someone’s emotional and social intelligence — the ability to read situations.
Example Phrases
저 사람은 눈치가 있어요. 언제나 때를 잘 알아요.
Jeo sarameun nunchiga isseoyo. Eonjena ttaereul jal arayo.
That person has great social awareness. They always know the right moment.
때를 알다 = to know the right timing.
눈치가 없어요. 분위기 파악 좀 해요.
Nunchiga eopseoyo. Bunwigi paak jom haeyo.
They lack social awareness. Read the room a bit!
분위기 파악하다 = to read the atmosphere.
눈치가 빨라요. 말 안 해도 알아요.
Nunchiga ppallayo. Mal an haedo arayo.
Their social perception is sharp. They know without being told.
말 안 해도 = even without being told.
Related Phrases
눈치가 없어요
nunchiga eopseoyo
They lack social awareness
Describing someone who misreads social situations.
눈치를 보다
nunchireul boda
To gauge the situation / read the room
Actively observing others’ reactions.
센스가 있어요
sengsega isseoyo
They have good sense
Complimenting someone’s good judgment.
Quick Review
가르쳐 줄게요
Can you recall what this means?
gareucheo julgeyo
I’ll teach you