Korean edit

Etymology edit

First attested in the late nineteenth century. Speculatively compare 주춤 (juchum, hesitant), Yukjin Korean 엉거리 (eonggeori, buttocks).

Pronunciation edit

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?eonggeojuchum
Revised Romanization (translit.)?eonggeojuchum
McCune–Reischauer?ŏnggŏjuch'um
Yale Romanization?engkecwu.chwum

Ideophone edit

Ablaut/harmonic pair
Yin-form 엉거주춤 (eonggeojuchum)
Yang-form 앙가조촘 (anggajochom)

엉거주춤 (eonggeojuchum)

  1. squatting, stooping (often hesitantly)
    아이 엉거주춤 있었다.
    Ai-deur-i mun dwi-e eonggeojuchum seo isseotda.
    The children were standing, almost squatting, behind the door.
  2. hesitant, indecisive
    엉거주춤 결정 내리고 있을 기회 지나갔다.
    Eonggeojuchum gyeoljeong-eul mot naerigo isseul ttae gihoe-neun jinagatda.
    The opportunity passed by while he was hesitant, unable to decide.

Derived terms edit