Korean Emotion Vocabulary and Phrases: How to Express Your Feelings in Korean
by Nie Ae // January 12 // 0 Comments
감정[gam-jeong] (emotion) is expressed both verbally and physically in Korean language. Just like in English, there are different words appropriate for every emotion. This article will be your guide to wisely choosing which Korean word to use and when to use it to express the exact emotion you are aiming for.
Primary emotions 기본 감정 [gi-bon gam-jeong]
Joy 기쁨 [gi-ppeum]
- Here are some different words to express this emotion:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 행복하다 | haeng-bok-ha-da | (be) happy |
| 즐기다 | jeul-gi-da | enjoy |
| 좋아하다 | jo-a-ha-da | like / love |
| 잘 되다 | jal dwe-da | good for (someone) |
| 다행이다 | da-haeng-i-da | what a relief |
| 만족하다 | man-jog-ha-da | satisfied / happy |
| 축하하다 | chug-ha-ha-da | congratulations |
| 감사하다 | gam-sa-ha-da | grateful / thankful |
| 재미있다 | jae-mi-it-da | interesting / fun |
| 웃기다 | ut-gi-da | funny |
- Sample phrases expressing joyful emotion:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 행복해요. | haeng-bog-hae-yo. | I am happy. |
| 잘 됐어요. | jal dwaet-eo-yo. | Good for you. |
| 다행이에요. | da-haeng-i-e-yo. | What a relief. |
| 최고예요. | choe-go-ye-yo. | You’re the best. |
| 즐거웠어요. | jeul-geo-wot-eo-yo. | I had fun. |
| 축하해요. | chug-ha-hae-yo. | Congratulations. |
| 잘 했어요. | jal haet-eo-yo. | Good job. |
| 대단해요. | dae-dan-hae-yo. | Amazing. |
| 부러워요. | bu-leo-wo-yo. | I envy you. |
| 도움이 돼서 기뻐요. | do-um-i dwae-seo gi-ppeo-yo. | I am glad to be of help. |
Sadness 슬픔 [seul-peum]
- Here are some different words to express this emotion:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 외롭다 | oe-lob-da | lonely |
| 우울하다 | u-ul-ha-da | depressed |
| 불행하다 | bul-haeng-ha-da | unhappy |
| 절망하다 | jeol-mang-ha-da | despair |
| 미안하다 | mi-an-ha-da | sorry |
| 실망하다 | sil-mang-ha-da | disappointed |
| 불평하다 | bul-pyeong-ha-da | complain |
| 억울하다 | eog-ul-ha-da | unfair |
| 가망 없다 | hui-mang-i eob-da | hopeless |
| 포기하다 | po-gi-ha-da | give up |
- Sample phrases expressing sad emotions:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 너무 외로워요. | neo-mu oe-lo-wo-yo. | I’m so lonely. |
| 우울해요. | u-ul-hae-yo. | I’m depressed. |
| 슬픈 일이에요. | seul-peun il-i-e-yo. | It’s sad. |
| 절망적이에요. | jeol-mang-jeog-i-e-yo. | I’m in despair. |
| 유감이에요. | yu-gam-i-e-yo. | Sorry for your loss. |
| 실망이에요 | sil-mang-i-e-yo. | Such a disappointment. |
| 불평하지 마세요. | bul-pyeong-ha-ji ma-se-yo. | Stop complaining. |
| 억울해요. | eog-ul-hae-yo. | It’s unfair. |
| 가망이 없어요. | ga-mang-i eob-eo-yo. | What a hopeless thought. |
| 최악의 날이에요. | choe-ag-ui nal-i-e-yo. | Worst day ever. |
Fear 두려움 [du-lyeo-um]
- Here are some different words to express this emotion:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 무섭다 | mu-seob-da | scary |
| 공포스럽다 | gong-po-seu-leob-da | horror |
소름 돋다 /
소름 끼치다 | so-leum dod-da /
so-leum kki-chi-da | goosebumps |
| 끔찍하다 | kkeum-jjig-ha-da | horrible |
| 놀라다 | nol-la-da | startle |
| 겁나다 | geob-na-da | scared |
| 당황하다 | dang-hwang-ha-da | panic |
| 아슬아슬하다 | a-seul-a-seul-ha-da | thrilling |
| 긴장하다 | gin-jang-ha-da | nervous |
| 두렵다 | du-lyeob-da | afraid |
- Sample expressions of fear:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 어머! | eo-meo! | Oh my goodness! |
| 끔찍해요. | kkeum-jjig-hae-yo. | How horrible! |
| 못 보겠어요. | mot bo-get-eo-yo. | I can’t watch it! |
| 상상도 못해요. | sang-sang-do mot-hae-yo. | I can’t even imagine it! |
| 심장이 뛰어요. | sim-jang-i ttwi-eo-yo. | My heart is beating. |
| 긴장해서 식은땀 나요. | gin-jang-hae-seo sig-eun-ttam na-yo. | I'm sweating because I'm nervous. |
| 소름 돋았어요. | so-leum dod-at-eo-yo. | I got goosebumps. |
| 두려운 생각이 들어요. | du-lyeo-un saeng-gag-i deul-eo-yo. | I think I'm afraid. |
| 무섭게 생겼어요. | mu-seob-ge saeng-gyeot-eo-yo. | Looks frightening. |
소름 돋아요. /
소름 끼쳐요. | so-leum dod-a-yo /
so-leum kki-chyeo-yo | Creepy. |
Anger 분노 [bun-no]
- Here are some different words to express this emotion:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 화나다 | hwa-na-da | angry |
| 짜증 나다 | jja-jeung-na-da | annoy |
| 밉다 | mib-da | hateful |
| 괴롭다 | goe-lob-da | torment |
| 불쾌하다 | bul-kwae-ha-da | unpleasant |
| 미치다 | mi-chi-da | mad |
| 열받다 | yeol-bat-da | burn with anger |
| 속상하다 | sog-sang-ha-da | upset |
| 기분 나쁘다 | gi-bun na-ppeu-da | bad mood |
| 분노하다 | bun-no-ha-da | furious |
- Sample phrases expressing anger:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 꺼져! | kkeo-jyeo! | Get lost! |
| 내 앞에 나타나지 마. | nae ap-e na-ta-na-ji ma. | Get out of my face. |
| 너무 속상해. | neo-mu sog-sang-hae. | I’m so upset. |
| 미치겠어. | mi-chi-get-eo. | You’re driving me mad. |
| 미쳤어? | mi-chyeot-eo? | Are you crazy? |
| 젠장! | jen-jang! | Damn it! |
| 용서 못 해. | yong-seo mot hae. | It’s unforgivable. |
| 진짜 짜증 나. | jin-jja jja-jeung na. | It’s so annoying. |
| 열받아. | yeol-bat-a. | I’m burning with anger. |
| 너 미워. | neo mi-wo. | I hate you. |
Confusion 혼란스러움 [hon-lan-seu-leo-um]
- Here are some different words to express this emotion:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 불확실하다 | bul-hwag-sil-ha-da | unsure |
| 불안하다 | bul-an-ha-da | anxious |
| 당황하다 | dang-hwang-ha-da | bewildered |
| 걱정하다 | geog-jeong-ha-da | worry |
| 속이다 | sog-i-da | deceive |
| 멍하다 | meong-ha-da | daze |
| 비슷하다 | bi-seut-ha-da | similar |
| 헷갈리다 | het-gal-li-da | confused |
| 부정확하다 | bu-jeong-hwag-ha-da | inaccurate |
| 막연하다 | mag-yeon-ha-da | vague |
- Sample phrases expressing confused emotions:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 몰라요. | mol-la-yo. | I don’t know. |
| 불확실해요. | bul-hwag-sil-hae-yo. | I’m not sure. |
| 어떡하지? | eo-tteog-ha-ji? | What should I do? |
| 너무 헷갈려. | neo-mu het-gal-lyeo. | I’m so confused. |
| 비슷하게 생겼다. | bi-seut-ha-ge saeng-gyeot-da. | They look so much alike. |
| 잘 골라야 돼. | jal gol-la-ya dwae. | Choose wisely. |
| 생각할 시간 좀 줘. | saeng-gag-hal si-gan jom jwo. | Let me think about it. |
| 너 따라 할게. | neo tta-la hal-ge. | I’ll follow your lead. |
| 야! 걱정했잖아. | ya! geog-jeong-haet-jan-a. | Hey! You got me worried. |
| 설명해 봐. | seol-myeong-hae bwa. | Explain it. |
Shyness 부끄러움 [bu-kkeu-leo-um]
- Here are some different words to express this emotion:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 창피하다 | chang-pi-ha-da | embarrassing |
| 소심하다 | so-sim-ha-da | timid |
| 수줍다 | su-jub-da | shy |
| 주저하다 | ju-jeo-ha-da | hesitate |
| 차분하다 | cha-bun-ha-da | demure |
| 내성적이다 | nae-seong-jeog-i-da | introvert |
| 쑥스럽다 | ssug-seu-leob-da | ashamed |
| 겸손하다 | gyeom-son-ha-da | humble |
| 온순하다 | on-sun-ha-da | docile |
| 자신 없다 | ja-sin eobt-da | unconfident |
- Sample phrases to express shy emotions:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 창피해! | chang-pi-hae! | How shameful! |
| 쑥스러워서 못 참겠어요. | ssug-seu-leo-wo-seo mot cham-get-eo-yo. | I can’t help it, I’m so shy. |
| 제발 이러지 마. | jebal ileoji ma. | Please don’t do this. |
| 바보 같아. | babo gat-a. | How stupid. |
| 바보 멍청이! | ba-bo meong-cheong-i | Stupid fool! |
| 당황스러워서 할 말이 없어. | dang-hwang-seu-leo-wo-seo hal mal-i eob-eo. | I’m so embarrassed, I am speechless. |
| 없어지고 싶다. | eob-eo-ji-go sip-da. | I want to vanish. |
| 도망가고 싶어. | do-mang-ga-go sip-eo. | I want to flee. |
| 숨고 싶어. | sum-go sip-eo. | I want to hide. |
Hurt 아픔 [a-peum]
- Here are some different words to express hurt emotion.
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 질투하다 / 질투 나다 | jil-tu-ha-da / jil-tu na-da | jealous |
| 배신하다 | bae-sin-ha-da | betrayal |
| 실망하다 | sil-mang-ha-da | disappoint |
| 상처받다 | sang-cheo-bat-da | bruise |
| 다치다 | da-chi-da | injured |
| 거절하다 / 거부하다 | geo-jeol-ha-da / geo-bu-ha-da | reject |
| 가슴 아프다 / 마음 아프다 | ga-seum a-peu-da / ma-eum a-peu-da | heartbroken |
| 사기당하다 | sa-gidanghada | be conned |
| 학대하다 | hag-dae-ha-da | abuse |
| 왕따 당하다 | wang-tta dang-ha-da | bullied |
- Sample phrases to express hurt in Korean.
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 아파, 그만해! | a-pa, geu-man-hae! | It hurts, stop! |
| 너무 하다 진짜. | neo-mu ha-da jin-jja. | You’re unbearable! |
| 마음이 아프다. | ma-eum-i a-peu-da. | My heart aches. |
| 이건 다 나쁜 꿈이야. | i-geon da na-ppeun kkum-i-ya. | This is all a bad dream. |
| 가슴이 찢어질 거 같아. | ga-seum-i jjij-eo-jil geo gat-a. | My heart is breaking. |
| 마음이 미어져. | ma-eum-i mi-eo-jyeo. | It breaks my heart. |
| 어떻게 이럴 수 있어? | eo-tteo-ge i-leol su it-eo? | How can you do this to me? |
| 나한테 왜 그래? | na-han-te wae geu-lae? | Why are you doing this to me? |
| 울고 싶다 정말. | ul-go sip-da jeong-mal. | I really want to cry. |
| 나 좀 내버려 둬. | na jom nae-beo-lyeo dwo. | Leave me alone. |
Tiredness 피곤 [pi-gon]
- Here are some different words to express tired emotions:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 진이 빠지다 | jin-i ppa-ji-da | drained |
| 영혼이 없다 | yeong-hon-i eob-da | dead tired |
| 몸이 무겁다 | mom-i mu-geob-da | can’t get up |
| 기운이 없다 | giun-i eob-da | have no energy |
| 지치다 | ji-chi-da | fatigued |
| 쓰러지다 | sseu-leo-ji-da | collapse |
| 연약하다 | yeon-yag-ha-da | vulnerable |
| 과로하다 | gwa-lo-ha-da | overwork |
| 기진맥진하다 | gi-jin-maeg-jin-ha-da | exhausted |
| 피곤하다 | pi-gon-ha-da | tired |
- Sample phrases expressing tiredness in Korean:
| 한국어 | Pronunciation | Translation |
| 졸리다. | jol-li-da. | I’m sleepy. |
| 하얗게 불태웠어! | ha-yahg-e bul-tae-wot-eo! | I did my best! |
| 정말 지쳤어. | jeong-mal ji-chyeot-eo. | Totally exhausted. |
| 아무것도 하기 싫어. | a-mu-geot-do ha-gi sil-eo. | I don’t want to do anything. |
| 충전이 필요해. | chung-jeon-i pil-yo-hae. | I need to recharge my energy. |
| 힘이 완전히 빠졌어. | him-i wan-jeon-hi ppa-jyeot-eo. | I’m totally drained. |
| 더 이상 못 하겠어. | deo i-sang mot ha-get-eo. | I can’t do it anymore. |
| 나 이제 그만할래. | na i-je geu-man-hal-lae. | I want to stop now. |
| 오늘은 여기까지 합시다. | o-neul-eun yeo-gi-kka-ji hab-si-da. | Let’s wrap up for today. |
| 아무 데도 가기 싫어. | a-mu de-do ga-gi sil-eo. | I don’t want to go anywhere. |
Other Korean vocabulary lists you should check out:
Conclusion
The Korean language has a very unique system in which sometimes all we see is a single word yet it expresses a complete thought. So as you can see in the sample phrases, the Korean word and the English translation differ in the number of words. It is because the Korean language does not require that we state who or what (subject) is being discussed if they already are understood from context.
There are also rules to consider regarding the Korean alphabet, in which some symbols have changes in phonetics when used in a word together with some specific symbols. I encourage you to try using these phrases to express your emotions and become more familiar with the usage and pronunciation for a more natural effect.
Have fun and stay tuned for more interesting topics. Please don’t forget to share on Facebook, twitter, Instagram or send to your friends’ email. Thank you so much! 감사합니다!
Nie Ae is a Filipina by blood but is now bearing a Korean citizenship and residing in South Korea. She is a Christian missionary, writer, translator, and more than 10 years ESL teacher to Korean nationals.
