Korean word

쓸쓸하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationsseulsseulhada

Meaning

  • adjectivelonely

Example

가을이 되면 쓸쓸해져요.ka eu ri toe myeon sseul sseul hae jeo yo

When autumn comes, I get lonely.

Illustration for 쓸쓸하다 (lonely)

More examples

혼자 있으면 쓸쓸한 밤이에요.hon ja i sseu myeon sseul sseul han pa mi e yo

When I am alone, the night feels lonely.

Core concept

A subdued melancholy caused by an empty-looking setting or situation, with loneliness felt as a quiet mood rather than a sharp emotion.

Common phrases

  • 쓸쓸한 표정sseul sseul han pyo jeong

    lonely expression

  • 쓸쓸한 밤sseul sseul han pam

    lonely night

  • 쓸쓸한 거리sseul sseul han keo ri

    lonely street

Similar words

외롭다oeroptta: A lonely feeling caused by lacking close human connection, even when other people are nearby.
슬프다seulpeuda: A painful feeling of sadness caused by loss, disappointment, or another unhappy event.
서글프다seogeulpeuda: A gentle, wistful sadness stirred by beauty, memories, or passing moments.
우울하다uulhada: A heavy, low mood that reduces interest in everyday activities and conversation.

Definition in Korean

풍경이나 상황이 허전하고 서글퍼서 마음에 차분한 슬픔이나 허전함이 드는 상태를 가리키는 형용사.pung gyeong i na sang hwang i heo jeon ha go seo geul peo seo ma eu me cha bun han seul peu mi na heo jeon ha mi teu neun sang tae reul ka ri ki neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The word is built from 쓸쓸 (sseulsseul, "a quiet sense of emptiness") and the adjective-forming element 하다 (hada, "to express a state").

Usage tips

  • English learners may expect lonely to describe only people, but this adjective can color scenery, weather, and seasonal change with a calm sadness.

Other meanings

  • melancholyadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 쓸쓸함sseulsseulhamlonelinessnoun
  • 쓸쓸해지다sseulsseulhaejidabecome lonelyverb

Word lists with this word