Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
숨이 차다 Sum-i chada
To be completely out of breath and gasping for air due to heavy physical exertion.
What does 숨이 차다 mean?
숨이 차다 (Sum-i chada) means: To be completely out of breath and gasping for air due to heavy physical exertion.
Speakers use this expression to describe the immediate physical sensation of lacking air after moving quickly, running, or climbing stairs. It pairs directly with the subject marker '숨이' and the verb '차다'. It is used when physical exertion pushes the body past its comfortable breathing rhythm.
Depending on the context, this can sound like a direct, objective report of physical state, or it can convey the immediate discomfort of unexpected exertion.
Depending on the context, this can sound like a direct, objective report of physical state, or it can convey the immediate discomfort of unexpected exertion.
Other sides of 숨이 차다
◆ Overwhelming Schedule — Speakers use this phrase in everyday contexts to describe a heavy burden or a lack of breathing room caused by accumulated responsibilities. It frequently appears when talking about pressing deadlines, packed calendars, or an overwhelming pace of life. It turns up in casual conversations among friends, coworkers, or family members when discussing daily pressures.
Among younger speakers and busy professionals, this can evoke the literal feeling of suffocation brought on by modern urban stress, turning a physical description into a vivid complaint about contemporary time management.
◆ Anxiety and Panic — Speakers use this phrase to describe physical breathlessness. It occurs during situations of intense bodily strain. It describes the physical sensation of lacking air.
Among speakers describing sudden emotional distress or panic attacks, this can frame psychological overwhelming as a direct physical constriction of breath.
Among younger speakers and busy professionals, this can evoke the literal feeling of suffocation brought on by modern urban stress, turning a physical description into a vivid complaint about contemporary time management.
◆ Anxiety and Panic — Speakers use this phrase to describe physical breathlessness. It occurs during situations of intense bodily strain. It describes the physical sensation of lacking air.
Among speakers describing sudden emotional distress or panic attacks, this can frame psychological overwhelming as a direct physical constriction of breath.
🎙️ 숨이 차다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [수미 차다]로 소리나요 (연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 계단을 올라왔더니 숨이 찬다.
gyedan-eul ollawatdeoni sum-i chanda.
I'm out of breath after climbing the stairs.
💡 Describing breathlessness after physical effort. - 달리기 시합을 하고 나서 숨이 차서 말을 못 했다.
dalligi sihab-eul hago naseo sum-i chaseo mal-eul mot haetda.
I was too out of breath from the running race to speak.
💡 Describing heavy breathing after intense running. - 조금만 뛰어도 숨이 차요.
jogeumman ttwieodo sum-i chayo.
I get out of breath even when running just a little.
💡 Polite statement about physical stamina during light movement.
Related words in Social Situations
숨이 턱 막히다 sumi teok makhida티끌 ti-kkeul티끌모아 ti-kkeul-mo-a티를 내다 Tireul naeda퇴사 toe-sa