Korean word

괜히

Pronunciation

Romanizationkwaenhi

Meaning

  • adverbfor no reason

Example

왜 괜히 걱정해?wae kwaen hi keok jjeong hae

Why are you worrying for no reason?

Illustration for 괜히 (for no reason)

More examples

어제 괜히 전화했어.eo je kwaen hi cheon hwa hae sseo

I called yesterday for no reason.

Core concept

Something happens without a real reason, whether it is an avoidable action or a sudden feeling.

Common phrases

  • 괜히 걱정하다kwaen hi keok jjeong ha da

    worry for no reason

  • 괜히 미안하다kwaen hi mi an ha da

    feel sorry for no reason

  • 괜히 화를 내다kwaen hi hwa reul nae da

    get angry for no reason

Similar words

쓸데없이sseuldeeopssi: Using time, effort, or resources on something that has no useful purpose.
공연히kongyeonhi: Doing or saying something without a sound reason when it could have been avoided.
괜스레kwaenseure: A passing feeling or impulse that prompts an action without a clear reason.

Definition in Korean

특별한 이유 없이 쓸데없이 행동하거나 감정이 일어날 때 쓰는 부사.teuk ppyeol han i yu eop ssi sseul de eop ssi haeng dong ha geo na kam jeong i i reo nal ttae sseu neun pu sa

Word origin

Its form grew from a native Korean adjective expressing something extra or unnecessary plus the suffix used to make an adverb.

Usage tips

  • English speakers should not limit it to bad decisions, because Korean also uses it for sudden feelings such as happiness that have no clear trigger.

Other meanings

  • needlesslyadverb
  • unnecessarilyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 괜한kwaenhanneedlessadjective
  • 괜스레kwaenseureneedlesslyadverb

Word lists with this word