소극적이다

소극적이다 (sogeukjeogida) means “to be passive” or “reserved” in Korean. It describes someone who is hesitant, avoids taking initiative, or prefers to stay in the background rather than actively engaging in situations.

Usage Examples:

그는 토론에서 소극적이다. → “He is passive in discussions.”
소극적인 태도는 기회를 놓칠 수 있다. → “A passive attitude can lead to missed opportunities.”
그녀는 처음에는 소극적이었지만 점점 적극적으로 변했다. → “She was passive at first, but gradually became more proactive.”

It is the opposite of 적극적이다 (jeokgeukjeogida), which means “to be proactive” or “assertive.”