Vocab: Feeling Awkward

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TL;DR 🦄

😬 어색하다 = the situation/sentence/relationship feels unnatural; 뻘줌하다 = YOU feel sheepish/exposed in that moment

👁️ 눈치 = reading the room — the social superpower Koreans reference constantly

🛤️ 넘기다 = to move past/let slide — how you handle the awkwardness once it arrives; 조심스럽게 = how you speak to prevent it

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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Head to the Korean Helper Widgets and hear today's vocabulary at natural speed. 눈치가 빠르다 is particularly worth hearing — it's very common in Korean conversation. 👁️

🌈 The Big Picture

Awkwardness in Korean is deeply social. It's not just about being embarrassed — it's about reading invisible signals (눈치), naming unnatural situations (어색하다), describing your personal sheepishness (뻘줌하다), choosing careful words (조심스럽게), and knowing when to just move on (넘기다).

These five words together give you the vocabulary to navigate the socially delicate moments that define real Korean interaction.

🎨 The Core Feeling Awkward Family

1. 어색하다 — awkward, unnatural, not smooth 😬

Used for situations, relationships, sentences, behavior. 분위기가 어색하다 = the atmosphere is awkward. 사이가 어색하다 = the relationship feels awkward. 이 문장이 어색해요 = this sentence sounds unnatural. Describes the thing that is awkward.

2. 눈치 — social awareness, reading the room 👁️

The ability to sense unspoken signals. 눈치가 빠르다 = quick to read the room. 눈치가 없다 = lack social awareness. 눈치를 보다 = to gauge the situation. 눈치를 주다 = to hint indirectly.

3. 뻘줌하다 — sheepish, awkwardly exposed, not knowing where to look 😳

How the person feels. More casual/emotional than 어색하다. 농담을 했는데 아무도 안 웃어서 뻘줌했어요 = I made a joke but nobody laughed so I felt sheepish. Use in speech and casual writing.

4. 조심스럽게 — carefully, cautiously, tactfully 🤫

How you speak or act when being careful not to hurt feelings or cause tension. 조심스럽게 묻다 = to ask carefully. 조심스럽게 말하다 = to speak tactfully. Both physical and emotional carefulness.

5. 넘기다 — to move past, let slide, gloss over 🛤️

In awkward social contexts: not focusing on the problem. 그냥 넘기다 = to let it slide. 농담으로 넘기다 = to laugh it off. 다른 이야기로 넘기다 = to change the subject.

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

처음 만났을 때는 분위기가 어색했지만 금방 편해졌어요.

When we first met the atmosphere was awkward but we soon became comfortable. 😬

— 어색했지만 = was awkward, but; 금방 = soon

지훈 씨는 눈치가 빨라서 누가 불편한지 금방 알아차려요.

Jihun is quick to read the room so he quickly notices who is uncomfortable. 👁️

— 눈치가 빠르다 = to be quick at reading the room

어색한 상황을 팀장님이 농담으로 넘겼어요.

The team leader moved past the awkward situation with a joke. 🛤️

— 넘기다 = to move past; 농담으로 = with a joke

🧩 General Formation Rule

어색하다 → 하다 adjective: 어색해요 / 어색했어요 / 어색한 분위기 / 어색하게

눈치 → noun: 눈치가 빠르다 / 눈치가 없다 / 눈치를 보다 / 눈치를 채다

뻘줌하다 → 하다 adjective: 뻘줌해요 / 뻘줌했어요 / 뻘줌하게 / 뻘줌한 상황

조심스럽게 → adverb: before verbs — 조심스럽게 묻다 / 말하다 / 제안하다

넘기다 → regular: 넘겨요 / 넘겼어요 / 그냥 넘기다 / 농담으로 넘기다

📚 Cross-check note

All vocabulary cross-checked against korean.go.kr ✅

🪞 Synonym Alert

어색하다 ≈ 불편하다 — 불편하다 = uncomfortable/inconvenient; 어색하다 = unnatural/awkward (specifically social/linguistic)

뻘줌하다 ≈ 민망하다 — 민망하다 = embarrassed/mortified (stronger); 뻘줌하다 = sheepish/not knowing what to do

눈치를 보다 ≈ 분위기를 파악하다 — 분위기를 파악하다 = to grasp the atmosphere (more formal); 눈치를 보다 = to read signals

넘기다 ≈ 지나치다 — 지나치다 = to pass over/go past; 넘기다 = to actively move past something (more intentional)

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ 분위기가 뻘줌해요 → ✅ 분위기가 어색해요 + ✅ 제가 뻘줌해요 — 어색하다 for the situation; 뻘줌하다 for the person's feeling.

❌ 눈치가 빠르다 = good eyesight → ✅ 눈치가 빠르다 = quick to read social cues. Not literal vision.

❌ 뻘줌하다 in formal writing → ✅ 난처하다 / 당황스럽다 — 뻘줌하다 is conversational. In formal contexts, use 난처하다.

❌ 넘기다 = to skip always → ✅ 넘기다 has many meanings: 책장을 넘기다 (turn a page), 일을 넘기다 (hand work over), 상황을 넘기다 (move past a situation). Context determines meaning.

눈치를 보고, 조심스럽게 말하고, 어색하면 넘기면 돼요. 그게 한국의 사회적 지혜예요! 👁️🛤️

Try this exercise

Instructions: Fill in the blank with the most natural word.

1. 처음 만나는 자리라서 분위기가 ＿＿＿＿.

Since it's our first meeting the atmosphere is awkward. 😬

Answer

어색해요 → 어색하다 = the situation/atmosphere is unnatural.

2. 민수 씨는 ＿＿＿＿가 빨라서 모두 편하게 해줘요.

Minsu is quick to read the room so he makes everyone comfortable. 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치가 빠르다 = quick at reading social cues.

3. 혼자 정장을 입고 와서 좀 ＿＿＿＿.

I was the only one who came in a suit so I felt a bit sheepish. 😳

Answer

뻘줌했어요 → 뻘줌하다 = sheepish/awkwardly exposed feeling.

4. 민감한 주제라서 ＿＿＿＿ 말했어요.

Since it was a sensitive topic I spoke carefully. 🤫

Answer

조심스럽게 → 조심스럽게 말했어요.

5. 실수였으니까 그냥 ＿＿＿＿.

It was a mistake so let's just let it slide. 🛤️

Answer

넘깁시다 / 넘겨요 → 넘기다 = to move past/let slide.

6. 지금은 그 얘기를 꺼내면 안 돼요. ＿＿＿＿ 좀 보세요.

You shouldn't bring that up now. Read the room. 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치 좀 보세요. 눈치를 보다 = to gauge the situation.

7. 오랫동안 못 만난 친구와의 첫 대화가 좀 ＿＿＿＿.

The first conversation with a friend I haven't seen for a long time was a bit awkward. 😬

Answer

어색했어요 → 어색하다 = the conversation/relationship feels unnatural.

8. 농담이 아무도 안 웃어서 정말 ＿＿＿＿.

Nobody laughed at my joke so I felt really sheepish. 😳

Answer

뻘줌했어요 → 뻘줌하다 = the personal feeling of exposure.

9. 대답하기 곤란해서 다른 이야기로 ＿＿＿＿.

It was hard to answer so I changed the subject. 🛤️

Answer

넘겼어요 → 넘기다 = to move past/change subject.

10. 의견이 달라도 ＿＿＿＿ 말하면 갈등이 줄어요.

Even if opinions differ, if you speak carefully conflicts decrease. 🤫

Answer

조심스럽게 → 조심스럽게 말하면.

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Quick Comparison

Word	Describes	Example
어색하다	the situation	분위기가 어색해요
뻘줌하다	the person	제가 뻘줌했어요
눈치	social sensing	눈치가 빠르다
조심스럽게	how to speak	조심스럽게 묻다
넘기다	how to escape	그냥 넘기다

Memory tips 💡

어색 = unnatural (thing)

뻘줌 = sheepish (me)

눈치 = read the room

조심스럽게 = walk on eggshells

넘기다 = move on

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Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀

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🎯 Practice Hub — Vocab: Feeling Awkward

사회적 어색함 연습 시작! 😬 This Practice Hub drills all five words — 어색하다, 눈치, 뻘줌하다, 조심스럽게, 넘기다 — across five exercises covering real Korean socially awkward moments. By the end these words will come naturally when you need them most. 👁️

🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any sentence.

📝 Instructions: Fill in each blank with the most natural word or form.

Exercise 1 — Awkward Situations 😬

A. 갑자기 대화가 끊겨서 분위기가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.

The conversation suddenly broke off and the atmosphere became awkward. 😬

Answer

어색해 → 어색해졌어요. 어색해지다 = to become awkward.

B. 이 표현은 한국어로 좀 ＿＿＿＿해요.

This expression sounds a bit unnatural in Korean. 😬

Answer

어색 → 어색해요. 어색하다 = unnatural/awkward (for sentences too).

C. 싸운 후 친구와의 ＿＿＿＿한 분위기가 며칠째 계속됐어요.

The awkward atmosphere with my friend after the fight continued for several days. 😬

Answer

어색 → 어색한 분위기. 어색하다 modifier = 어색한.

D. 처음엔 ＿＿＿＿했지만 이제는 편해요.

At first it was awkward but now I'm comfortable. 😬

Answer

어색 → 어색했지만. 어색하다 past = 어색했어요.

E. 말투가 ＿＿＿＿해서 어디서 배운 건지 티가 났어요.

The way of speaking was unnatural so it was obvious where they learned it. 😬

Answer

어색 → 어색해서. 말투가 어색하다 = speech pattern sounds unnatural.

F. 새로운 팀에 들어갔을 때 처음에는 ＿＿＿＿했어요.

When I joined a new team at first it was awkward. 😬

Answer

어색 → 어색했어요.

G. 이 문장이 ＿＿＿＿하게 느껴지면 수정해 주세요.

If this sentence feels unnatural please revise it. 😬

Answer

어색 → 어색하게 느껴지면.

H. 예상치 못한 칭찬에 ＿＿＿＿한 미소를 지었어요.

I gave an awkward smile at the unexpected compliment. 😬

Answer

어색 → 어색한 미소. 어색한 = awkward (modifier).

I. 두 사람 사이가 ＿＿＿＿해 보여서 모두 조심했어요.

The relationship between the two people looked awkward so everyone was careful. 😬

Answer

어색 → 어색해 보여서. -해 보이다 = to look/seem.

J. ＿＿＿＿한 분위기를 눈치채고 ＿＿＿＿게 말하기 시작했어요.

I noticed the awkward atmosphere and started speaking carefully. 😬🤫

Answer

어색 / 조심스럽 → 어색한 분위기를 눈치채고 조심스럽게 말하기 시작했어요. ✅

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Vocabulary Box

어색하다 → awkward, unnatural

어색해지다 → to become awkward

어색한 분위기 → awkward atmosphere

말투가 어색하다 → speech sounds unnatural

사이가 어색하다 → relationship feels awkward

어색하게 느껴지다 → to feel unnatural

Tip 💡 어색하다 = for the SITUATION/THING. 분위기, 문장, 사이, 행동, 말투 — all can be 어색하다. Not usually for the person themselves (use 뻘줌하다 for that).

Exercise 2 — Reading the Room 👁️

A. 그 친구는 ＿＿＿＿가 없어서 때로 분위기를 망쳐요.

That friend lacks social awareness so sometimes ruins the atmosphere. 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치가 없어서. 눈치가 없다 = lack social awareness.

B. 회의 중에 ＿＿＿＿를 보면서 말하는 타이밍을 잡았어요.

During the meeting I gauged the situation and found the right timing to speak. 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치를 보면서. 눈치를 보다 = to gauge the situation.

C. 팀장님이 불편해 보이는 걸 ＿＿＿＿채고 조용히 자리를 피했어요.

I noticed that the team leader looked uncomfortable and quietly stepped away. 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치채고. 눈치채다 = to notice/detect.

D. 상대방이 화가 났다는 ＿＿＿＿를 빨리 알아차렸어요.

I quickly picked up on the signal that the other person was angry. 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치를 빨리 알아차렸어요.

E. 지금 그 이야기를 꺼내면 안 돼요. ＿＿＿＿가 없어요?

You shouldn't bring that up now. Don't you have any social awareness? 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치가 없어요? 눈치가 없다 = lacking awareness.

F. 오래 한국에 살아서 이제는 ＿＿＿＿가 늘었어요.

After living in Korea for a long time my social awareness has improved. 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치가 늘었어요.

G. ＿＿＿＿를 줬는데 못 알아채는 것 같았어요.

I hinted (gave a signal) but they didn't seem to notice. 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치를 줬는데. 눈치를 주다 = to give a hint/signal indirectly.

H. 한국 사회에서 ＿＿＿＿는 매우 중요한 사회 기술이에요.

In Korean society, reading the room is a very important social skill. 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치는 중요한 사회 기술이에요.

I. 그는 ＿＿＿＿가 빨라서 모임에서 항상 인기 있어요.

He's quick to read the room so he's always popular at gatherings. 👁️

Answer

눈치 → 눈치가 빨라서.

J. ＿＿＿＿를 보고 ＿＿＿＿한 분위기를 ＿＿＿＿게 ＿＿＿＿기로 했어요.

After reading the room I decided to carefully move past the awkward atmosphere. 👁️😬🤫🛤️

Answer

눈치 / 어색 / 조심스럽 / 넘기 → 눈치를 보고 어색한 분위기를 조심스럽게 넘기기로 했어요. ✅

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Vocabulary Box

눈치가 빠르다 → quick to read the room

눈치가 없다 → lacking social awareness

눈치를 보다 → to gauge/read the situation

눈치를 채다 → to notice/detect

눈치를 주다 → to hint indirectly

분위기를 망치다 → to ruin the atmosphere

타이밍을 잡다 → to find the right timing

Tip 💡 눈치 is uniquely Korean — it covers the ability to sense what people mean without them saying it, detect mood shifts, know when to speak or stay silent, and gauge what's expected.

Exercise 3 — Sheepish Moments 😳

A. 이름을 잘못 불러서 ＿＿＿＿했어요.

I called the wrong name and felt sheepish. 😳

Answer

뻘줌 → 뻘줌했어요.

B. 모두가 조용한데 혼자 웃어서 좀 ＿＿＿＿했어요.

I was the only one laughing when everyone was quiet so I felt a bit sheepish. 😳

Answer

뻘줌 → 뻘줌했어요.

C. 갑자기 칭찬을 받아서 ＿＿＿＿해서 그냥 웃기만 했어요.

I suddenly received a compliment so I felt sheepish and just smiled. 😳

Answer

뻘줌 → 뻘줌해서.

D. 길을 잘못 안내해서 모두 앞에서 ＿＿＿＿했어요.

I gave wrong directions and felt sheepish in front of everyone. 😳

Answer

뻘줌 → 뻘줌했어요.

E. 아무도 없는 줄 알고 큰 소리로 말했다가 ＿＿＿＿해졌어요.

I spoke loudly thinking no one was there and then became sheepish. 😳

Answer

뻘줌 → 뻘줌해졌어요. 뻘줌해지다 = to become sheepish.

F. 발표 중에 실수를 해서 ＿＿＿＿하게 웃었어요.

I made a mistake during the presentation and laughed sheepishly. 😳

Answer

뻘줌 → 뻘줌하게 웃었어요. 뻘줌하게 = sheepishly (adverb).

G. 혼자만 반대 의견이라서 좀 ＿＿＿＿한 상황이었어요.

I was the only one with a different opinion so it was a somewhat sheepish situation. 😳

Answer

뻘줌 → 뻘줌한 상황. 뻘줌하다 modifier = 뻘줌한.

H. 실수했을 때 너무 ＿＿＿＿하지 않아도 돼요.

You don't need to feel too sheepish when you make a mistake. 😳

Answer

뻘줌 → 뻘줌하지 않아도 돼요.

I. 공식 글에서는 ＿＿＿＿하다 대신 ＿＿＿＿하다를 써요.

In formal writing use 난처하다 instead of 뻘줌하다. 😳

Answer

뻘줌 / 난처 → 뻘줌하다 대신 난처하다를 써요. 뻘줌하다 = casual; 난처하다 = formal. ✅

J. 분위기가 ＿＿＿＿한 것과 내가 ＿＿＿＿한 것은 달라요.

The atmosphere being awkward and me feeling sheepish are different things. 😬😳

Answer

어색 / 뻘줌 → 분위기가 어색한 것과 내가 뻘줌한 것은 달라요. Key distinction. ✅

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Vocabulary Box

뻘줌하다 → to feel sheepish/awkwardly exposed

뻘줌해지다 → to become sheepish

뻘줌하게 → sheepishly

뻘줌한 상황 → sheepish situation

난처하다 → to be embarrassed/in a difficult position (formal)

갑자기 → suddenly

Tip 💡 어색하다 vs 뻘줌하다: 어색하다 = the situation/thing is unnatural. 뻘줌하다 = I feel sheepish personally. Both can happen together: 분위기가 어색해서 내가 뻘줌했어요.

Exercise 4 — Careful & Moving On 🤫🛤️

A. 민감한 주제라서 ＿＿＿＿ 물었어요.

Since it was a sensitive topic I asked carefully. 🤫

Answer

조심스럽게 → 조심스럽게 물었어요.

B. 그냥 ＿＿＿＿. 큰 문제가 아니에요.

Just let it slide. It's not a big problem. 🛤️

Answer

넘겨요 → 그냥 넘겨요. 그냥 넘기다 = to let slide.

C. 어색한 상황을 농담으로 ＿＿＿＿.

I moved past the awkward situation with a joke. 🛤️

Answer

넘겼어요 → 농담으로 넘겼어요.

D. 반대 의견을 말해야 해서 최대한 ＿＿＿＿ 말했어요.

I had to express a different opinion so I spoke as carefully as possible. 🤫

Answer

조심스럽게 → 최대한 조심스럽게 말했어요.

E. 답하기 곤란해서 다른 이야기로 ＿＿＿＿.

It was hard to answer so I changed the subject. 🛤️

Answer

넘겼어요 → 다른 이야기로 넘겼어요.

F. 선생님께 ＿＿＿＿ 질문을 드렸어요.

I cautiously asked the teacher a question. 🤫

Answer

조심스럽게 → 조심스럽게 질문을 드렸어요. 드리다 = humble.

G. 실수였으니까 ＿＿＿＿ 넘기세요.

Since it was a mistake, move past it lightly. 🛤️

Answer

그냥 → 그냥 넘기세요. 그냥 + 넘기다 = the classic combo.

H. 무거운 분위기라서 모두가 ＿＿＿＿ 말했어요.

The atmosphere was heavy so everyone spoke carefully. 🤫

Answer

조심스럽게 → 조심스럽게 말했어요.

I. 어색한 상황은 ＿＿＿＿으로 ＿＿＿＿는 게 제일 쉬워요.

The easiest way to handle an awkward situation is to move past it with a joke. 🛤️

Answer

농담 / 넘기 → 농담으로 넘기는 게 제일 쉬워요. ✅

J. ＿＿＿＿를 채고 ＿＿＿＿게 제안하면서 어색한 분위기를 ＿＿＿＿기로 했어요.

I noticed the cues, made a careful suggestion, and decided to move past the awkward atmosphere. 👁️🤫🛤️

Answer

눈치 / 조심스럽 / 넘기 → 눈치를 채고 조심스럽게 제안하면서 어색한 분위기를 넘기기로 했어요. ✅

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Vocabulary Box

조심스럽게 → carefully, tactfully

조심스럽게 묻다 → to ask carefully

조심스럽게 말하다 → to speak tactfully

조심스럽게 제안하다 → to suggest cautiously

넘기다 → to move past/let slide

그냥 넘기다 → to just let it go

농담으로 넘기다 → to laugh it off

다른 이야기로 넘기다 → to change the subject

Tip 💡 조심스럽게 = to PREVENT awkwardness. 넘기다 = to ESCAPE awkwardness. Use them in sequence: 조심스럽게 말했지만 어색해지면 넘기면 돼요.

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 분위기가 뻘줌해요 → ✅ 분위기가 ＿＿＿＿하고 제가 ＿＿＿＿해요

The atmosphere is awkward and I feel sheepish. 😬😳

Answer

어색 / 뻘줌 → 분위기가 어색하고 제가 뻘줌해요. ✅

B. ❌ 눈치가 빠르다 = good eyesight → ✅ 눈치가 빠르다 = ＿＿＿＿

Quick to read the room. 👁️

Answer

사회적 신호를 빨리 알아차리다 / 분위기를 잘 파악하다 → 눈치가 빠르다 = to quickly sense unspoken social signals. ✅

C. 회의에서 ＿＿＿＿를 보니 팀장님이 불편해 보였어요. ＿＿＿＿하게 의견을 말하고 ＿＿＿＿한 분위기는 농담으로 ＿＿＿＿어요.

Reading the room I could see the team leader was uncomfortable. I expressed my opinion carefully and moved past the awkward atmosphere with a joke. 👁️🤫😬🛤️

Answer

눈치 / 조심스럽 / 어색 / 넘겼 → 눈치를 보니 / 조심스럽게 / 어색한 분위기는 / 넘겼어요. ✅

D. ❌ 뻘줌하다 in formal writing → ✅ 공식 글에서는 ＿＿＿＿하다를 써요

In formal writing use 난처하다. 😳

Answer

난처 → 난처하다. 뻘줌하다 = casual only. ✅

E. 농담을 했는데 아무도 안 웃어서 ＿＿＿＿했어요. ＿＿＿＿를 보니 모두 다른 이야기를 하고 싶어하는 것 같아서 ＿＿＿＿게 화제를 ＿＿＿＿었어요.

I made a joke but nobody laughed so I felt sheepish. Reading the room I could tell everyone wanted to talk about something else so I carefully changed the subject. 😳👁️🤫🛤️

Answer

뻘줌 / 눈치 / 조심스럽 / 넘겼 → 뻘줌했어요. 눈치를 보니 조심스럽게 화제를 넘겼어요. ✅

F. ＿＿＿＿한 분위기를 ＿＿＿＿채고, ＿＿＿＿하게 말하면서 ＿＿＿＿기로 했어요. 덕분에 ＿＿＿＿해지지 않았어요.

I noticed the awkward atmosphere and decided to speak carefully and move past it. Thanks to that, I didn't become sheepish. 😬👁️🤫🛤️😳

Answer

어색 / 눈치 / 조심스럽 / 넘기 / 뻘줌 → 어색한 분위기를 눈치채고, 조심스럽게 말하면서 넘기기로 했어요. 덕분에 뻘줌해지지 않았어요. All five words. ✅

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Vocabulary Box — Pitfall Recap

❌ 분위기가 뻘줌하다 → ✅ 분위기가 어색하다

❌ 내가 어색해요 (for personal sheepishness) → ✅ 내가 뻘줌해요

❌ 눈치 = eyes → ✅ 눈치 = social sensing

❌ 뻘줌하다 in formal → ✅ 난처하다

✅ 어색 = situation; 뻘줌 = personal feeling

The awkward moment sequence:

분위기가 어색해요 (situation)

눈치를 채요 (sense it)

내가 뻘줌해요 (feel it)

조심스럽게 말해요 (careful words)

그냥 넘겨요 (move on)

🎉 어색함 어휘 마스터! 😬 Now you can navigate Korean social awkwardness with vocabulary — 어색하다 for the situation, 눈치 to sense it, 뻘줌하다 for how you feel, 조심스럽게 to avoid it, and 넘기다 to escape it. 눈치 있게, 조심스럽게, 어색하면 그냥 넘겨요! 👁️✨