Korean word

불만

Pronunciation

Romanizationpulman

Meaning

  • noundissatisfaction

Example

고객들이 불만을 제기했다.ko gaek tteu ri pul ma neul che gi haet tta

The customers voiced their dissatisfaction.

Illustration for 불만 (dissatisfaction)

More examples

직원들이 불만을 토로했다.chi gwon deu ri pul ma neul to ro haet tta

The employees voiced their dissatisfaction.

Core concept

A feeling that something is unsatisfactory, often expressed openly about a service, decision, or situation.

Common phrases

  • 불만을 제기하다pul ma neul che gi ha da

    voice dissatisfaction

  • 불만이 많다pul ma ni man ta

    have many complaints

  • 불만을 토로하다pul ma neul to ro ha da

    vent dissatisfaction

Similar words

불평pulpyeong: Words or behavior that show annoyance about a person, event, or situation.
불만족pulmanjok: A neutral state in which expected satisfaction has not been reached.
아쉬움aswium: A lingering feeling that something important or desirable is missing.
항의hangui: A clear statement or act of opposition directed at a decision or action.

Definition in Korean

어떤 일이나 상태에 대해 만족하지 못하고 불편함이나 불쾌함을 느끼는 마음이나 상태.eo tteon i ri na sang tae e tae hae man jo ka ji mo ta go pul pyeon ha mi na pul kwae ha meul neu kki neun ma eu mi na sang tae

Word origin

This Sino-Korean noun combines bul, meaning not, with man, meaning full, giving the idea of an unfulfilled or unsatisfied feeling.

Usage tips

  • English often names the spoken message, while this word can describe the unhappy feeling before anyone says it aloud.

Other meanings

  • complaintnoun
  • grumblingnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 불만족pulmanjokdissatisfactionnoun
  • 불만족하다pulmanjokadabe dissatisfiedverb
  • 불만스럽다pulmanseureopttadissatisfiedadjective

Word lists with this word