Korean word

불쌍하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationpulssanghada

Meaning

  • adjectivefeel sorry for

Example

그 아이가 불쌍해요.keu a i ga pul ssang hae yo

I feel sorry for that child.

Illustration for 불쌍하다 (feel sorry for)

More examples

그 아이의 불쌍한 눈빛을 보니 마음이 아팠다.keu a i ui pul ssang han nun bi cheul po ni ma eu mi a pat tta

Seeing that child's pitiful look made my heart ache.

Core concept

Seeing someone or an animal in trouble and feeling compassion for them.

Common phrases

  • 불쌍한 사람pul ssang han sa ram

    a person in need

  • 불쌍한 눈빛pul ssang han nun bit

    a pitiful look

Similar words

안쓰럽다ansseureoptta: Feeling tender pity for someone who seems to need care or comfort.
안타깝다antakkaptta: Feeling regret and sympathy when a hoped-for result does not happen.

Definition in Korean

어려운 처지에 있거나 도움이 필요해 보이는 사람이나 동물을 보고 안타까움과 동정심을 느끼는 형용사.eo ryeo un cheo ji e it kkeo na to u mi pi ryo hae po i neun sa ra mi na tong mu reul po go an ta kka um gwa tong jeong si meul neu kki neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The word's origin is uncertain, so it is best learned as one whole word rather than by guessing its parts.

Usage tips

  • Saying this straight to a person can sound unkind, so describing the hard situation or offering help is often kinder.

Related words

  • 불쌍함pulssanghamcompassionnoun
  • 불쌍히pulssanghisympatheticallyadverb

Word lists with this word