Korean word

외롭다

Pronunciation

Romanizationoeroptta

Meaning

  • adjectivelonely

Example

혼자 있으면 외로워요.hon ja i sseu myeon oe ro wo yo

When I am alone, I feel lonely.

Illustration for 외롭다 (lonely)

More examples

새로운 학교에 가면 처음에는 외롭다.sae ro un hak kkyo e ka myeon cheo eu me neun oe rop tta

When I start at a new school, I feel lonely at first.

Core concept

A heart that feels cut off from the people around it, whether the feeling lasts briefly or for a long time.

Common phrases

  • 외롭다고 느끼다oe rop tta go neu kki da

    feel lonely

  • 혼자여서 외롭다hon ja yeo seo oe rop tta

    feel lonely because I am alone

  • 이별 후에 외롭다i byeol hu e oe rop tta

    feel lonely after a breakup

Similar words

쓸쓸하다sseulsseulhada: Feeling a calm loneliness when a quiet place or season seems empty.
허전하다heojeonhada: Feeling empty or unsettled because something important or comforting is missing.

Definition in Korean

일시적이거나 장기적으로 사람과의 유대감이 약해져 외로움이나 고립감을 느끼는 상태를 가리키는 형용사.il ssi jeo gi geo na chang gi jeo geu ro sa ram gwa ui yu dae ga mi ya kae jeo oe ro u mi na ko rip kka meul neu kki neun sang tae reul ka ri ki neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

This is a native Korean word rather than a Sino Korean borrowing, but its exact historical origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may connect loneliness only with being physically alone, but this word can describe the feeling even in a crowd when close connection is missing.

Other meanings

  • isolatedadjective

Opposites

  • 사교적이다sagyojeogidasociableadjective
  • 친밀하다chinmilhadaconnectedadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word