Korean word

두렵다

Pronunciation

Romanizationturyeoptta

Meaning

  • adjectiveafraid

Example

새로운 일이 시작되는 게 두렵다.sae ro un i ri si jak ttoe neun ke tu ryeop tta

I am afraid that something new is starting.

Illustration for 두렵다 (afraid)

More examples

어두운 골목을 지나갈 때 두렵다.eo du un kol mo geul chi na gal ttae tu ryeop tta

I am afraid when I walk through a dark alley.

Core concept

A worried feeling that makes the heart shrink when an uncertain outcome may turn out badly.

Common phrases

  • 높은 곳이 두렵다no peun ko si tu ryeop tta

    afraid of high places

  • 혼자 있으면 두렵다hon ja i sseu myeon tu ryeop tta

    afraid of being alone

Similar words

무섭다museoptta: Feeling afraid because danger or harm seems close at hand.
불안하다puranhada: Feeling uneasy and unable to relax because the future or situation is uncertain.
긴장되다kinjangdoeda: Feeling nervous and physically tense before or during an important event.
걱정스럽다keokjjeongseureoptta: Causing concern because a situation or outcome seems likely to go badly.

Definition in Korean

어떤 일의 결과나 가능성을 떠올릴 때 불안과 걱정이 섞여 마음이 움츠러드는 무서움의 감정을 나타내는 형용사.eo tteon i rui kyeol gwa na ka neung seong eul tteo ol lil ttae pu ran gwa keok jjeong i seo kkyeo ma eu mi um cheu reo deu neun mu seo u mui kam jeong eul na ta nae neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The deeper historical origin of this word is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the English phrase I am afraid, which can politely introduce bad news, this word directly describes fear or anxiety.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word