View source for Nunchi

{{Short description|Korean phrase}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox Korean name|
hangul=눈치|
mr=Nunch'i|
rr=Nunchi|
}}
'''{{Transliteration|ko|Nunchi}}''', sometimes '''{{Transliteration|ko|noonchi}}''' ({{lang|ko|눈치}}), is a [[Culture of Korea|Korean]] concept signifying the subtle art and ability to listen and gauge others' moods. It first appears in the 17th century as {{Transliteration|ko|nunch'ŭi}} ({{lang|ja|眼勢}} in {{Transliteration|ko|[[hanja]]}}), meaning "eye force/power".<ref>"'눈치'는 17세기 처음 '눈츼(眼勢)'로 나타난다." "Nunchi first appeared as ''nunch'ŭi'' (眼 勢). in the 17th century." {{cite web |title=눈치 국립국어원 |url=https://www.korean.go.kr/front/onlineQna/onlineQnaView.do?&mn_id=&qna_seq=35449&pageIndex=11261 |website=[[National Institute of Korean Language]] |publisher=[[National Institute of Korean Language]]}}</ref> In Western culture, {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi}} could be described as the concept of [[emotional intelligence]]. It is of central importance to the dynamics of [[interpersonal relationship]]s.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}} {{Transliteration|ko|Nunchi}} is literally translated as "eye-measure".<ref name="VegdahlHur2008">{{cite book|last1=Vegdahl|first1=Sonja|last2=Hur|first2=Ben|title=CultureShock! Korea: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jv2IAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA36|date=15 September 2008|publisher=Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd|isbn=9789814408943|page=36}}</ref> {{Transliteration|ko|Nunchi}} is closely related to the broader concept of [[paralanguage]] but also relies on an understanding of one's status relative to the person with whom they are interacting. It can be seen as the embodiment of skills necessary to communicate effectively in [[high context culture]].

The concept of {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi}} can be difficult to grasp for non-Koreans because there is no direct translation into English.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Melissa |date=2020-01-06 |title=How to use nunchi, a Korean 'superpower,' to achieve your New Year's resolutions |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/how-use-nunchi-korean-superpower-achieve-your-new-year-s-n1111326 |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> One's abundance of {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi}}, or lack thereof, forms the basis of many common expressions and idioms. For example, a socially clumsy person can be described as {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi eoptta}} ({{lang|ko|눈치 없다}}), meaning "absence of {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi}}". Writing in the [[The Korea Times|Korea Times]], scholar and cultural critic David Tizzard describes the importance of ''nunchi'' in Korean life by contrasting it to [[British culture]]: "I was raised to stand up straight, look people in the eye, and speak briskly and directly. While that certainly works for the public schools and rugby clubs of England, it’s all a bit different here. You’re meant to listen. To look down. To be slow. And once you get your nunchi sorted, everything else just kind of drops into place. It’s like the whole of society changes and the cold stares suddenly become warm smiles."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tizzard |first=David |date=2024-08-17 |title=Narrating Korean life - Part 1 |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/08/113_380732.html |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=koreatimes |language=en}}</ref>

{{Transliteration|ko|Nunchi}} is briefly defined as the high social sensitivity of Koreans that basically means they are able to ascertain others' moods by being around them and talking to them. They are sensitive to what others say indirectly, because they want to maintain harmony. They sense someone's {{Transliteration|ko|kibun}}, a Korean word that relates to mood, current feelings, and the state of mind. Facilitating {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi}}, encouraging the use of this skill, is expected to result in rich understanding. It is of central importance to the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. With {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi}}, Koreans are using nonverbal cues to convey emotion and meaning through various means, including voice pitch and volume as well as [[intonation (linguistics)|intonation]]. Because Korea, as with other high-context cultures, caters toward in-groups that have similar experiences and expectations and from which inferences are drawn, many things are left unsaid. The culture does the explaining, in effect. Both {{Transliteration|ko|kibun}} and {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi}} are very difficult concepts for non-Koreans to get the hang of.{{opinion|date=February 2022}}

In Korea, personal relations frequently take precedence over business, which can ultimately help get a new job or help make you earn new friends.<ref name=":0" /> In order to be successful, it is vital to establish good, personal relationships based on mutual trust and benefit. Koreans judge this by {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi}} to get a basic understanding of the individual they just met. Korean business culture is firmly grounded in respectful rapport and in order to establish this, it is essential to have the right introduction to approach the company. Koreans will use {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi}} to make sure the right approach is being used, often through a mutual friend or acquaintance at the appropriate level. Koreans spend a significant amount of time developing and fostering personal contacts. Therefore, time should be allocated for this process, particularly during the first meeting, which is frequently used to simply establish rapport and build trust.  
  
The phrase {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi itda}} ({{lang|ko|눈치 있다}}) refers to someone who is quick-witted, can understand the situation quickly, or has common sense. Another way to say this is {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi ppareuda}} ({{lang|ko|눈치 빠르다}}), "to have quick {{Transliteration|ko|nunchi}}".

==See also==
*[[Korean language]]
*[[Tacit knowledge]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{cite web |title=Make Sure You're Not Totally Clueless in Korea (눈치, nunchi)! |url=https://seoulistic.com/learn-korean/make-sure-youre-not-totally-clueless-in-korea-%EB%88%88%EC%B9%98-nunchi/ |website=Seoulistic }}
*{{cite web |title=The Power of Nunchi |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608336/the-power-of-nunchi-by-euny-hong/}}

[[Category:Interpersonal relationships]]
[[Category:Korean words and phrases]]
[[Category:Words and phrases with no direct English translation]]