Do You Know The Word '소복소복' From The BTS Song?

I recently read an article about how international BTS fans are familiar with the word "소복소복," which appears in BTS Jimin's 2020 song "Christmas Love." In English, it was translated as "falling falling," but I feel that this translation doesn't quite capture the full essence of the word. As a Korean language teacher, I found this topic fascinating. So, in this post, I’d like to explore some other Korean words that, like "소복소복," have a cute and cozy feel.

"Christmas I love you, 흰 눈처럼 소복소복 넌 내 하루에 내려와"

소복소복

"눈이 소복소복 쌓였어요." (The snow piled up 소복소복.)

The word "소복소복" is formed by repeating the adjective "소복하다," which describes something that is softly and gently piling up. In Korean, repeating words can emphasize the meaning or feeling. For example, saying "눈이 소복소복 쌓였어요" gives a much warmer, cozier image of the snow softly accumulating.

폭신폭신

"침대가 폭신폭신해요" (The bed is 폭신폭신.)

This word is made by repeating the adjective "폭신하다," which describes something that is soft and springy. Like "소복소복," it gives a sense of coziness, but with a hint of bounciness. It’s perfect for describing things like beds or sofas. In children’s books, it’s often used to describe clouds, inviting kids to imagine lying comfortably on them.

두근두근

"심장이 두근두근 뛰었어요." (My heart was 두근두근.)

"두근두근" is created by repeating the verb "두근대다," which expresses the feeling of your heart pounding hard and fast, often due to surprise, anxiety, or excitement. It's the perfect word to use when you’re standing in front of a crowd for a presentation or when you’re nervous around someone you love. It can give the impression that your heart is beating so loudly that the other person might hear it.

반짝반짝

"반짝반짝 작은 별" (Twinkle, twinkle, little star.)

This word comes from repeating the verb "반짝이다," which describes something small and bright that appears briefly before disappearing. While it’s often used with stars, as in the example above, it can also describe objects that have been polished to a shine or eyes filled with curiosity. It brings to mind images of brightness and purity.

깜빡깜빡

"단어를 자주 깜빡깜빡해요." (I frequently 깜빡깜빡 forget words.)

This one might be a bit tricky for students who struggle with double consonants. Like "반짝반짝," "깜빡깜빡" is based on the verb "깜빡이다," which describes a light flickering on and off. However, it has the opposite nuance. While "반짝반짝" emphasizes the brightness, "깜빡깜빡" highlights the moments of darkness. It’s great for describing a flickering light bulb or sleepy eyes, and it’s also useful when you can’t quite remember something, as in the example above.

➤ Although this post was inspired by the word "소복소복," you’ll find that the other words here are much more commonly used in daily life. I encourage you to try using these words, keeping their nuances in mind. It will help you speak more vivid and expressive Korean.