Korean word

쓸데없이

Pronunciation

Romanizationsseuldeeopssi

Meaning

  • adverbunnecessarily

Example

그는 쓸데없이 걱정해요.keu neun sseul de eop ssi keok jjeong hae yo

He worries unnecessarily.

Illustration for 쓸데없이 (unnecessarily)

More examples

그는 쓸데없이 돈을 낭비했어요.keu neun sseul de eop ssi to neul nang bi hae sseo yo

He wasted money unnecessarily.

Core concept

Words or actions go on needlessly instead of serving a practical purpose.

Common phrases

  • 쓸데없이 걱정하다sseul de eop ssi keok jjeong ha da

    worry unnecessarily

  • 쓸데없이 화를 내다sseul de eop ssi hwa reul nae da

    get angry unnecessarily

Similar words

괜히kwaenhi: An action or feeling arises without any particular reason.
굳이kuji: An extra step is deliberately taken even though it is hardly needed.
불필요하게pulpiryohage: A task is done or money is spent despite there being no need for it.
헛되이heotttoei: Effort or time ends in vain after failing to achieve a worthwhile result.

Definition in Korean

이유나 목적 없이 행동이나 말을 하여 자원이나 시간을 헛되이 쓰는 부사i yu na mok jjeok eop ssi haeng dong i na ma reul ha yeo cha wo ni na si ga neul heot ttoe i sseu neun pu sa

Word origin

The meaning developed from 쓸데 (sseulde, "use or purpose") plus 없이 (eopssi, "without"), a compact way to express having no useful purpose.

Usage tips

  • A helpful distinction is that this word highlights uselessness, so it is not the best choice when an action is simply large in amount but still useful.

Other meanings

  • pointlesslyadverb
  • needlesslyadverb

Opposites

  • 유용하게yuyonghageusefullyadverb
  • 쓸모있게sseulmoitkkeusefullyadverb

Related words

Word lists with this word