넘치다

First attested in the Worin cheon'gangjigok (月印千江之曲 / 월인천강지곡), 1449, as Middle Korean 넘〯ᄣᅵ다〮 (Yale: němpstì-tá), from 넘〯 (něm-, “to surpass”) + ᄣᅵ다〮 (pstì-tá, “to overflow”).

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key):
• Phonetic hangul:
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

넘치다 • (neomchida) (infinitive 넘쳐 or 넘치어, sequential 넘치니) (intransitive)

1. to overflow, to run over, to brim over, to flood

   물이 넘치다 ― mur-i neomchida ― to be overflowing with water

   돈이 넘치다 ― don-i neomchida ― to be flush of money

2. (figuratively, of emotions, of feelings, etc.) to surge, to brim

   그는 자신감이 넘쳤다. ― Geu-neun jasin'gam-i neomcheotda. ― He was surging with confidence.

   그는 소식을 듣고 기쁨에 넘쳤다.

   Geu-neun sosig-eul deut-go gippeum-e neomcheotda.

   He was brimming with happiness after hearing the news.

3. (figuratively) to exceed, to go beyond (an acceptable limit)

   도로는 차들이 넘쳐 교통 체증에 시달렸다.

   Doro-neun cha-deur-i neomcheo gyotong chejeung-e sidallyeotda.

   The roads suffered from traffic jams as they were overcrowded with cars.

   그는 분수에 넘치는 생활을 하곤 했다.

   Geu-neun bunsu-e neomchineun saenghwar-eul ha-gon haetda.

   He used to live beyond his means.