Korean word

간절하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationkanjeolhada

Meaning

  • adjectiveearnest

Example

그의 바람이 간절해요.keu ui pa ra mi kan jeol hae yo

His wish is heartfelt.

Illustration for 간절하다 (earnest)

More examples

친구의 간절한 부탁을 거절할 수 없었어요.chin gu ui kan jeol han pu ta geul keo jeol hal ssu eop sseo sseo yo

I couldn't refuse my friend's heartfelt request.

Core concept

A deeply felt wish pulls the heart toward its goal with sincere urgency.

Common phrases

  • 간절한 부탁kan jeol han pu tak

    earnest request

  • 간절한 마음kan jeol han ma eum

    earnest feelings

Similar words

절실하다cheolsilhada: A need or wish feels deeply pressing and hard to ignore.
절박하다cheolbakada: A situation feels desperate because an urgent need leaves little time or choice.

Definition in Korean

마음속에서 어떤 것을 매우 강하게 바라거나 원할 때의 상태를 이르는 형용사.ma eum so ge seo eo tteon keo seul mae u kang ha ge pa ra geo na won hal ttae ui sang tae reul i reu neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The adjective 간절하다 (ganjeolhada, "to be earnest") comes from 간절 (ganjeol, "heartfelt and pressing") plus 하다 (hada, "to do").

Usage tips

  • It can sound stronger than a simple want, but it does not always mean that all hope is lost, so it also fits heartfelt hopes and requests.

Other meanings

  • desperateadjective

Opposites

  • 냉담하다naengdamhadaindifferentadjective

Related words

  • 간절함kanjeolhamearnestnessnoun

Word lists with this word