Korean word

신세

Pronunciation

Romanizationsinse

Meaning

  • nouncircumstances

Example

그는 어려운 신세에 놓여 있다.keu neun eo ryeo un sin se e no yeo it tta

He is in difficult circumstances.

Illustration for 신세 (circumstances)

More examples

요즘 일도 없고 신세가 말이 아니다.yo jeum il do eop kko sin se ga ma ri a ni da

I have no work these days, and my circumstances are terrible.

Core concept

Where someone stands in life and the circumstances currently affecting them.

Common phrases

  • 신세를 면치 못하다sin se reul myeon chi mo ta da

    be unable to escape hardship

  • 신세가 말이 아니다sin se ga ma ri a ni da

    be in terrible circumstances

Similar words

처지cheoji: A person's place in life as shaped by present circumstances.
형편hyeongpyeon: The condition of daily life, especially the money and practical means available.
상황sanghwang: The complete state of affairs surrounding a person, event, or problem.
곤경kongyeong: A predicament marked by severe difficulty or distress.

Definition in Korean

한 사람의 삶이나 처지, 또는 당면한 상황을 포괄하는 명사로서 도움받거나 곤란한 상태를 포함한 그 사람에게 닥친 상태의 총체를 뜻한다.han sa ra mui sal mi na cheo ji tto neun tang myeon han sang hwang eul po gwal ha neun myeong sa ro seo to um bat kkeo na kol lan han sang tae reul po ham han keu sa ra me ge tak chin sang tae ui chong che reul tteu tan da

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean elements refer to a person and the world around them, a combination that developed into the idea of a person's situation in life.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 신세 (sinse, "circumstances") helps describe the condition someone has ended up in, rather than only a formal role or social rank.

Other meanings

  • positionnoun
  • debtnoun

Opposites

  • 호강hogangcomfortable lifenoun

Related words

  • 신세살이sinsesaridependent livingnoun
  • 신세타령sinsetaryeonglamenting one's circumstancesnoun

Word lists with this word