Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
찬물을 끼얹다 Chanmureul kkianhda
To instantly ruin a high-energy, celebratory, or hopeful group vibe with a sudden, pessimistic, or reality-check remark.
What does 찬물을 끼얹다 mean?
찬물을 끼얹다 (Chanmureul kkianhda) means: To instantly ruin a high-energy, celebratory, or hopeful group vibe with a sudden, pessimistic, or reality-check remark.
Speakers reach for this expression when a group is swept up in successful momentum or shared enthusiasm, and someone steps in to spoil the mood. It typically turns up in situations involving collective excitement, such as a project nearing a successful finish or a community sharing in communal pride. The action disrupts the flow of the room, turning an upbeat group dynamic into a deflated one.
This can feel jarring to listeners who are invested in the collective excitement, often reading as an unnecessary injection of cold realism into a moment meant for celebration.
This can feel jarring to listeners who are invested in the collective excitement, often reading as an unnecessary injection of cold realism into a moment meant for celebration.
🎙️ 찬물을 끼얹다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [찬무를 끼언따]로 소리나요 (경음화, 연음법칙, 자음군단순화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 일이 겨우 마무리되어 가려고 할 때에 그가 나타나 찬물을 끼얹었다.
il-i gyeou mamuri-doe-eo ga-ryeogo hal ttae-e geu-ga natana chanmureul kkian-eotda.
Just as the work was barely about to wrap up, he showed up and threw cold water on it.
💡 Shows someone dampening the final stages of a shared effort. - 그것은 전혀 개인적인 사건이었지만 마을 사람들 정열에 찬물을 끼얹은 결과가 되었던 것이다.
geugeot-eun jeonhyeo gaein-jeok-in sageon-ieotjiman ma-eul saramdeul jeong-yeor-e chanmureul kkianj-eun gyeolgwa-ga doe-eotdeon geos-ida.
That was an entirely personal incident, but it ended up throwing cold water on the villagers' enthusiasm.
💡 Shows an event unexpectedly draining the passion of a whole community. - 모두가 축제 분위기에 들떠 있을 때 쓸데없는 소리로 찬물을 끼얹지 마라.
modu-ga chukje bunwi-gi-e deultteo isseul ttae sseuldeeopneun sori-ro chanmureul kkianh-ji mara.
Don't throw cold water with unnecessary talk when everyone is caught up in the festival atmosphere.
💡 Shows a warning against ruining a high-spirited group mood.
Related words in Social Situations
철이 들다 cheori deulda초토화 cho-to-hwa단호하다 Dan-ho-ha-da답장 dapjang등잔 밑이 어둡다 Deungjan mit-i eodupda