Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
직진 jik-jin
An unapologetic, full-speed-ahead pursuit of someone's heart without playing games or beating around the bush.
What does 직진 mean?
직진 (jik-jin) means: An unapologetic, full-speed-ahead pursuit of someone's heart without playing games or beating around the bush.
Speakers use this word primarily in the context of traffic, navigation, and physical movement along a straight path. It frequently combines with direction markers and movement verbs such as 가다 and 움직이다. It also appears in compound traffic terms like 직진 신호 and 직진 차량.
Among younger speakers, this can extend metaphorically to describe an aggressive, unfiltered approach to pursuing a love interest without beating around the bush. In this casual context, it implies single-minded determination in romance.
Among younger speakers, this can extend metaphorically to describe an aggressive, unfiltered approach to pursuing a love interest without beating around the bush. In this casual context, it implies single-minded determination in romance.
Other sides of 직진
◆ Traffic and Navigation — Speakers use this term when giving navigation directions, describing driving movements, or referring to traffic light signals. It frequently pairs with verbs of motion such as 가다 and 움직이다, and appears in compound terms concerning road rules and intersections like 직진 신호, 직진 우선, and 직진 차량. It also occurs in sequential instructions alongside turns, as in 직진 후 좌회전.
When given as part of a physical direction, the term can sound brisk and precise, focusing entirely on the immediate path forward without deviation.
When given as part of a physical direction, the term can sound brisk and precise, focusing entirely on the immediate path forward without deviation.
🎙️ 직진은 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [직찐]로 소리나요 (경음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 운전에 서투른 지수는 직진만 할 수 있고 후진을 못했다.
un-jeon-e seo-tu-reun ji-su-neun jik-jin-man hal su it-go hu-jin-eul mot-haet-da.
Jisu, who was clumsy at driving, could only go straight and could not reverse.
💡 Describes basic driving movements. - 그 은행은 직진으로 가다가 나오는 사거리 오른쪽에 있다.
geu eun-haeng-eun jik-jin-eu-ro ga-da-ga na-o-neun sa-geo-ri o-reun-jjok-e it-da.
That bank is on the right at the intersection you come to after going straight.
💡 Gives navigation instructions involving a straight path. - 기존 신호 체계가 직진 후 좌회전으로 변경되면서 직진 차량이 우선이 되었다.
gi-jon sin-ho che-gye-ga jik-jin hu jwa-hoe-jeon-eu-ro byeon-gyeong-doe-myeon-seo jik-jin cha-ryang-i u-seon-i doe-eot-da.
As the existing signal system was changed to straight-then-left-turn, straight-moving vehicles took priority.
💡 Discusses traffic signal changes and right-of-way.
Related words in Social Situations
진지하다 Jin-ji-ha-da진땀을 흘리다 Jintam-eul heulida진땀을 빼다 Jintmameul ppaeda주관적 ju-gwan-jeok중독 jung-dok