Korean word

서럽다

Pronunciation

Romanizationseoreoptta

Meaning

  • adjectivesad

Example

이별을 생각하면 마음이 서럽다.i byeo reul saeng ga ka myeon ma eu mi seo reop tta

Thinking about the breakup makes me feel sad.

Illustration for 서럽다 (sad)

More examples

어제 편지를 보고 눈시울이 서럽다.eo je pyeon ji reul po go nun si u ri seo reop tta

Seeing the letter yesterday made my eyes well up with tears.

Core concept

A heart grows heavy with tender sadness when faced with loss or another person's difficult situation.

Common phrases

  • 눈시울이 서럽다nun si u ri seo reop tta

    eyes well up with tears

  • 가슴이 서럽다ka seu mi seo reop tta

    heart aches with sadness

Similar words

안타깝다antakkaptta: A painful feeling that a disappointing outcome should have turned out better.
불쌍하다pulssanghada: A feeling of compassion for someone or an animal in a difficult situation.
서글프다seogeulpeuda: A gentle, lonely sadness with a lingering emotional aftertaste.
슬프다seulpeuda: Sorrow felt after something important goes wrong or is lost.

Definition in Korean

누군가의 처지나 일에 대해 안타까움과 먹먹함이 섞여 마음이 무거워지는 상태를 이르는 형용사.nu gun ga ui cheo ji na i re tae hae an ta kka um gwa meong meo ka mi seo kkyeo ma eu mi mu geo wo ji neun sang tae reul i reu neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

This is a native Korean word that developed from older forms and became established for painful, poignant emotion.

Usage tips

  • English sad covers many mild feelings, but this word often suggests a deeper ache that calls for sympathy or comfort.

Opposites

Related words

  • 서러움seoreoumsorrownoun
  • 서럽게seoreopkkesadlyadverb

Word lists with this word