Korean word

어이없다

Pronunciation

Romanizationeoieoptta

Meaning

  • adjectivedumbfounded

Example

그 소식을 듣고 어이없었다.keu so si geul teut kko eo i eop sseot tta

I was dumbfounded when I heard the news.

Illustration for 어이없다 (dumbfounded)

More examples

친구의 거짓말을 듣고 어이없었다.chin gu ui keo jin ma reul teut kko eo i eop sseot tta

I was dumbfounded when I heard my friend's lie.

Core concept

Seeing an absurd situation and feeling both unable to believe it and angry about it.

Common phrases

  • 정말 어이없다cheong mal eo i eop tta

    truly dumbfounded

  • 어이없는 표정eo i eom neun pyo jeong

    dumbfounded expression

  • 어이없는 반응eo i eom neun pa neung

    dumbfounded reaction

Similar words

어처구니없다eocheogunieoptta: A situation so unbelievable that it prompts weary disbelief and exasperation.
황당하다hwangdanghada: An event that is wildly unreasonable can leave someone speechless and confused.

Definition in Korean

예상이나 상식에서 크게 벗어난 말이나 행동을 보고 불쾌하거나 분개하는 감정을 나타내는 형용사ye sang i na sang si ge seo keu ge peo seo nan ma ri na haeng dong eul po go pul kwae ha geo na pun gae ha neun kam jeong eul na ta nae neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The expression is formed with an uncertain first element and a negative verb, giving it the memorable sense of finding no sensible basis for what happened.

Usage tips

  • Its tone is often stronger than a neutral statement of surprise because it signals disbelief mixed with disapproval.

Other meanings

  • unbelievableadjective

Opposites

  • 타당하다tadanghadareasonableadjective

Related words

  • 어이없음eoieopsseumdumbfoundednessnoun
  • 어이없어하다eoieopsseohadabe dumbfoundedverb

Word lists with this word