Korean Expressions for Feelings

Introduction

Emotions are an essential part of communication, and Korean provides a rich vocabulary to describe them. From joy and excitement to sadness and disappointment, each word reflects subtle differences in how people feel. This guide introduces 100 Korean expressions for emotions, divided into eight categories. Each entry includes an English explanation with Korean example sentences and their English translations.

1. Happiness & Positive Emotions (행복·긍정)

1. 가슴이 벅차다 (gaseumi beokchada)

To be overwhelmed with strong emotions.
✅ Example:

무대를 보고 가슴이 벅찼어요. – I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw the stage.

2. 감동하다 (gamdonghada)

To be touched or moved emotionally.
✅ Example:

편지를 읽고 감동했어요. – I was touched when I read the letter.

3. 기쁘다 (gippeuda)

To be glad or pleased.
✅ Example:

합격 소식을 듣고 기뻤어요. – I was glad when I heard the acceptance news.

4. 기분 좋다 (gibun jota)

To feel good or pleasant.
✅ Example:

칭찬을 들어서 기분이 좋아요. – I feel good because I got a compliment.

5. 들뜨다 (deultteuda)

To feel excited and restless.
✅ Example:

내일 여행 때문에 들떠 있어요. – I feel excited because I’m traveling tomorrow.

6. 만족감이 들다 (manjokgami deulda)

To feel a sense of satisfaction.
✅ Example:

목표를 이루니 만족감이 들어요. – I feel satisfied because I achieved my goal.

7. 뿌듯하다 (ppudeuthada)

To feel proud and fulfilled.
✅ Example:

프로젝트를 끝내서 뿌듯해요. – I feel proud because I finished the project.

8. 상쾌하다 (sangkwaehada)

To feel fresh or refreshed.
✅ Example:

아침 공기를 마시니 상쾌해요. – I feel refreshed breathing the morning air.

9. 설레다 (seolleda)

To feel fluttery or thrilled with excitement.
✅ Example:

새 학기가 시작돼서 설레요. – I feel excited because the new semester is starting.

10. 성취감을 느끼다 (seongchwigameul neukkida)

To feel a sense of accomplishment.
✅ Example:

시험에 합격해서 성취감을 느꼈어요. – I felt accomplished because I passed the exam.

11. 안도하다 (andohada)

To feel relieved.
✅ Example:

소식을 듣고 안도했어요. – I felt relieved when I heard the news.

12. 희망이 생기다 (huimangi saenggida)

To feel hopeful.
✅ Example:

좋은 기회를 얻어서 희망이 생겼어요. – I felt hopeful because I got a good opportunity.

2. Sadness & Negative Emotions (슬픔·부정)

13. 가슴 아프다 (gaseum apeuda)

To feel heartbroken.
✅ Example:

친구의 이야기를 듣고 가슴 아팠어요. – I felt heartbroken after hearing my friend’s story.

14. 공허하다 (gongheohada)

To feel empty and hollow.
✅ Example:

일이 끝나고 공허했어요. – I felt empty after finishing the work.

15. 눈물이 나다 (nunmuri nada)

To feel like crying.
✅ Example:

영화를 보다가 눈물이 났어요. – I cried while watching the movie.

16. 비통하다 (bitonghada)

To feel grief-stricken.
✅ Example:

소식을 듣고 비통했어요. – I was grief-stricken after hearing the news.

17. 서글프다 (seogeulpeuda)

To feel sadly pitiful.
✅ Example:

혼자 걸으니 서글퍼요. – I felt sadly pitiful walking alone.

18. 서운하다 (seounhada)

To feel hurt or disappointed.
✅ Example:

친구가 약속을 안 지켜서 서운했어요. – I felt hurt because my friend broke the promise.

19. 슬프다 (seulpeuda)

To feel sad.
✅ Example:

슬픈 영화를 보고 울었어요. – I cried after watching a sad movie.

20. 씁쓸하다 (sseupseulhada)

To feel bitter.
✅ Example:

거절을 당하니 씁쓸했어요. – I felt bitter after being rejected.

21. 아쉽다 (aswipda)

To feel it’s a pity.
✅ Example:

비가 와서 여행이 취소되어 아쉬워요. – I feel it’s a pity the trip was canceled because of rain.

22. 애잔하다 (aejanhada)

To feel tender sorrow.
✅ Example:

아이의 모습이 애잔했어요. – The child’s appearance made me feel sorrowful.

23. 애통하다 (aetonghada)

To feel sorrowful.
✅ Example:

가족의 소식을 듣고 애통했어요. – I was sorrowful hearing the family news.

24. 외롭다 (woeropda)

To feel lonely.
✅ Example:

주말에 혼자 있어서 외로웠어요. – I felt lonely on the weekend.

25. 우울하다 (uulhada)

To feel depressed.
✅ Example:

날씨가 계속 흐려서 우울해요. – I feel depressed because the weather is cloudy.

26. 울적하다 (uljeokhada)

To feel gloomy.
✅ Example:

혼자 있으니 울적해요. – I feel gloomy when I’m alone.

27. 위로가 필요하다 (wiroga piryohada)

To need comfort.
✅ Example:

실패 후 위로가 필요했어요. – I needed comfort after failing.

28. 의기소침하다 (uigisochimhada)

To feel dispirited.
✅ Example:

혼나고 나서 의기소침했어요. – I felt dispirited after being scolded.

29. 쓸쓸하다 (sseulsseulhada)

To feel lonesome.
✅ Example:

집에 혼자 있으니 쓸쓸해요. – I feel lonesome because I’m home alone.

30. 허탈하다 (heotalhada)

To feel drained or empty after something ends.
✅ Example:

시험이 끝나고 허탈했어요. – I felt drained after the exam ended.

3. Anger & Irritation (분노·짜증)

31. 격분하다 (gyeokbunhada)

To be furious.
✅ Example:

거짓말을 듣고 격분했어요. – I was furious after hearing the lie.

32. 고까워하다 (gokkawo hada)

To feel annoyed or touchy.
✅ Example:

작은 말에도 고까워했어요. – He got annoyed even by small words.

33. 괘씸하다 (gwaessimhada)

To feel offended or resentful.
✅ Example:

약속을 어기고 사과도 안 해서 괘씸했어요. – I felt offended because they broke the promise and didn’t apologize.

34. 분노하다 (bunnohada)

To be enraged.
✅ Example:

불공평한 상황에 분노했어요. – I was enraged by the unfair situation.

35. 심술 나다 (simsul nada)

To feel mean-spirited or cranky.
✅ Example:

피곤해서 심술이 났어요. – I felt cranky because I was tired.

36. 성나다 (seongnada)

To get angry or upset.
✅ Example:

아이가 장난을 심하게 해서 성났어요. – I got angry because the child was too mischievous.

37. 억울하다 (eogurhada)

To feel wronged or unfairly treated.
✅ Example:

오해를 받아서 억울했어요. – I felt wronged because I was misunderstood.

38. 약 오르다 (yak oreuda)

To feel provoked or irritated.
✅ Example:

자꾸 놀려서 약 올랐어요. – I got irritated because they kept teasing me.

39. 열받다 (yeolbatda)

To feel pissed off.
✅ Example:

무례한 말에 열받았어요. – I got pissed off at the rude comment.

40. 울화통이 터지다 (ulhwatongi teojida)

To explode with rage.
✅ Example:

계속된 실수에 울화통이 터졌어요. – I exploded with rage at the repeated mistakes.

41. 화나다 (hwanada)

To be angry.
✅ Example:

늦게 와서 화났어요. – I was angry because you came late.

42. 짜증나다 (jjajeung nada)

To be annoyed.
✅ Example:

소음 때문에 짜증나요. – I’m annoyed because of the noise.

4. Fear & Anxiety (공포·불안)

43. 걱정되다 (geokjeong doeda)

To be worried.
✅ Example:

시험이 걱정돼요. – I’m worried about the exam.

44. 겁나다 (geop nada)

To feel scared.
✅ Example:

혼자 가기 겁나요. – I’m scared to go alone.

45. 겁먹다 (geop meokda)

To be frightened.
✅ Example:

큰 소리에 겁먹었어요. – I was frightened by the loud sound.

46. 긴장되다 (ginjang doeda)

To feel nervous.
✅ Example:

발표 전이라 긴장돼요. – I’m nervous before my presentation.

47. 두렵다 (duryeopda)

To be fearful.
✅ Example:

실패가 두려워요. – I’m afraid of failing.

48. 불안하다 (buran hada)

To feel anxious.
✅ Example:

미래가 불안해요. – I feel anxious about the future.

49. 오싹하다 (ossak hada)

To feel a chill of fear.
✅ Example:

어두운 골목에서 오싹했어요. – I felt a chill walking down a dark alley.

50. 초조하다 (chojohada)

To feel restless or impatient.
✅ Example:

결과가 늦어져서 초조해요. – I feel restless because the results are delayed.

51. 조마조마하다 (jomajomahada)

To feel nervous anticipation.
✅ Example:

시험 결과를 기다리며 조마조마했어요. – I felt nervous waiting for the exam results.

52. 무섭다 (museopda)

To be scared.
✅ Example:

공포 영화를 보니 무서워요. – I get scared watching horror movies.

5. Embarrassment & Awkwardness (당황·민망·어색)

53. 당황하다 (danghwanghada)

To be flustered.
✅ Example:

질문을 못 알아들어서 당황했어요. – I was flustered because I didn’t understand the question.

54. 민망하다 (minmanghada)

To be embarrassed.
✅ Example:

실수를 해서 민망했어요. – I was embarrassed because I made a mistake.

55. 부끄럽다 (bukkeureopda)

To be shy or ashamed.
✅ Example:

칭찬을 받아서 부끄러웠어요. – I was shy because I received a compliment.

56. 얼굴이 화끈거리다 (eolguri hwakkeungeorida)

To feel one’s face burn from embarrassment.
✅ Example:

사람들이 쳐다봐서 얼굴이 화끈거렸어요. – My face burned because people were staring.

57. 어색하다 (eosaekhada)

To feel awkward.
✅ Example:

처음 만나서 어색했어요. – I felt awkward because it was our first meeting.

58. 쑥스럽다 (ssukseureopda)

To feel bashful.
✅ Example:

노래를 시켜서 쑥스러웠어요. – I felt bashful because I was asked to sing.

59. 창피하다 (changpihada)

To feel ashamed or embarrassed.
✅ Example:

넘어져서 창피했어요. – I was embarrassed because I fell.

60. 체면이 구겨지다 (chemyeoni gugyeojida)

To lose face in front of others.
✅ Example:

많은 사람 앞에서 혼나서 체면이 구겨졌어요. – I lost face because I was scolded in front of many people.

61. 낯설다 (natseolda)

To feel unfamiliar.
✅ Example:

처음 가는 곳이라 낯설었어요. – I felt unfamiliar because it was my first time there.

62. 멋쩍다 (meotjeokda)

To feel awkward or self-conscious.
✅ Example:

혼자 웃고 있어서 멋쩍었어요. – I felt awkward because I was laughing alone.

63. 머쓱하다 (meosseukhada)

To feel awkward when things don’t go as expected.
✅ Example:

농담이 통하지 않아 머쓱했어요. – I felt awkward because my joke didn’t work.

6. Neutral & Mixed States (중립·복합)

64. 갈등하다 (galdeunghada)

To feel conflicted or torn between choices.
✅ Example:

선택을 두고 갈등했어요. – I felt conflicted about the choice.

65. 긴가민가하다 (gingamingahada)

To feel unsure or doubtful.
✅ Example:

약속이 오늘인지 긴가민가했어요. – I wasn’t sure if the appointment was today.

66. 담담하다 (damdamhada)

To feel calm and unemotional.
✅ Example:

결과를 담담하게 받아들였어요. – I accepted the result calmly.

67. 따분하다 (ttabunhada)

To feel tedious or bored.
✅ Example:

긴 회의가 너무 따분했어요. – The long meeting was very tedious.

68. 무덤덤하다 (mudeomdeomhada)

To feel indifferent or unconcerned.
✅ Example:

소식에도 무덤덤했어요. – I felt indifferent even to the news.

69. 멍하다 (meonghada)

To feel blank or spaced out.
✅ Example:

피곤해서 머리가 멍했어요. – I felt blank because I was tired.

70. 심심하다 (simsimhada)

To feel bored with nothing to do.
✅ Example:

주말에 할 일이 없어서 심심했어요. – I was bored because I had nothing to do on the weekend.

71. 애매하다 (aemaehada)

To feel uncertain or vague.
✅ Example:

대답이 애매해서 찝찝했어요. – I felt uneasy because the answer was vague.

72. 지루하다 (jiruhada)

To feel bored or tedious.
✅ Example:

강의가 지루해서 졸렸어요. – I felt sleepy because the lecture was boring.

73. 차분하다 (chabunhada)

To feel calm and settled.
✅ Example:

음악을 들으니 마음이 차분해졌어요. – I felt calm listening to music.

74. 찝찝하다 (jjipjjiphada)

To feel uneasy or uncomfortable.
✅ Example:

말을 제대로 못 해서 찝찝했어요. – I felt uneasy because I couldn’t speak properly.

75. 혼란스럽다 (honransseureopda)

To feel confused or disoriented.
✅ Example:

상황이 너무 복잡해 혼란스러웠어요. – I felt confused because the situation was complicated.

7. Fatigue & Low Energy (피곤·무기력)

76. 기운이 없다 (giuni eopda)

To feel drained or without energy.
✅ Example:

감기 때문에 기운이 없어요. – I feel drained because of a cold.

77. 나른하다 (nareunhada)

To feel sluggish or drowsy.
✅ Example:

점심을 먹고 나른했어요. – I felt sluggish after lunch.

78. 노곤하다 (nogonhada)

To feel weary or tired.
✅ Example:

일을 마치고 노곤했어요. – I felt weary after finishing work.

79. 무기력하다 (mugiryeokhada)

To feel lethargic or powerless.
✅ Example:

실패 후 무기력했어요. – I felt lethargic after failing.

80. 어질어질하다 (eojireojilhada)

To feel dizzy.
✅ Example:

너무 빨리 일어나서 어질어질했어요. – I felt dizzy because I stood up too quickly.

81. 지치다 (jichida)

To be exhausted.
✅ Example:

하루 종일 걸어서 지쳤어요. – I was exhausted after walking all day.

82. 축 늘어지다 (chuk neureojida)

To feel limp or droopy.
✅ Example:

더위에 몸이 축 늘어졌어요. – I felt limp because of the heat.

83. 피곤하다 (pigonnada)

To be tired.
✅ Example:

밤새워서 피곤해요. – I’m tired because I stayed up all night.

84. 권태롭다 (gwontaeropda)

To feel weary or fed up with monotony.
✅ Example:

같은 일이 반복돼서 권태로워요. – I feel weary because the same work keeps repeating.

85. 녹초가 되다 (nokchoga doeda)

To be completely exhausted.
✅ Example:

하루 종일 일해서 녹초가 됐어요. – I became completely exhausted after working all day.

8. Social & Relational Emotions (사회적·관계적 감정)

86. 감정이 북받치다 (gamjeongi bukbatchida)

To be overwhelmed with emotions.
✅ Example:

졸업식에서 감정이 북받쳤어요. – I was overwhelmed with emotions at the graduation.

87. 기죽다 (gijukda)

To feel intimidated or lose confidence.
✅ Example:

발표하다가 웃음이 나와 기죽었어요. – I lost confidence when people laughed during my presentation.

88. 난처하다 (nancheohada)

To feel awkward or in a difficult spot.
✅ Example:

두 사람 사이에서 난처했어요. – I felt awkward caught between two people.

89. 눈치가 보이다 (nunchiga boida)

To feel self-conscious or uneasy about others.
✅ Example:

상사 앞이라 눈치가 보여요. – I feel self-conscious in front of my boss.

90. 서먹하다 (seomeokhada)

To feel awkward or distant in a relationship.
✅ Example:

오랜만에 만나서 서먹했어요. – I felt awkward because we met after a long time.

91. 섭섭하다 (seopseophada)

To feel let down.
✅ Example:

연락이 없어서 섭섭했어요. – I felt let down because there was no call.

92. 아쉽다 (aswipda)

To feel it’s a pity.
✅ Example:

기회를 놓쳐서 아쉬워요. – I feel it’s a pity because I missed the chance.

93. 원망하다 (wonmanghada)

To resent or emotionally blame someone.
✅ Example:

친구를 원망하고 싶지 않아요. – I don’t want to resent my friend.

94. 의기소침하다 (uigisochimhada)

To feel dispirited.
✅ Example:

실수 후 의기소침했어요. – I felt dispirited after making a mistake.

95. 질투하다 (jiltuhada)

To feel jealous.
✅ Example:

친구의 성공이 부러우면서도 질투가 나요. – I envy my friend’s success but also feel jealous.

96. 체면이 구겨지다 (chemyeoni gugyeojida)

To lose face in front of others.
✅ Example:

많은 사람 앞에서 넘어져 체면이 구겨졌어요. – I lost face when I fell in front of many people.

97. 후회하다 (huhoehada)

To regret.
✅ Example:

기회를 놓쳐서 후회했어요. – I regretted missing the chance.

98. 배신감을 느끼다 (baesingameul neukkida)

To feel betrayed.
✅ Example:

거짓말을 듣고 배신감을 느꼈어요. – I felt betrayed after hearing the lie.

99. 존경하다 (jongyeonghada)

To feel respect or admiration.
✅ Example:

선생님을 존경해요. – I feel respect for my teacher.

100. 괘씸하다 (gwaessimhada)

To feel offended at someone’s behavior.
✅ Example:

약속을 어기고도 사과하지 않아 괘씸했어요. – I felt offended because they didn’t apologize after breaking the promise.

Conclusion

Emotions are deeply tied to language, and Korean offers a wide variety of expressions that capture subtle shades of feeling. With these 100 words and phrases, you can describe everything from joy and pride to sadness, fear, awkwardness, and even complex social emotions. Learning and practicing them will help you express yourself more naturally in Korean and better understand the emotions of native speakers.

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