Korean word

우울

Pronunciation

Romanizationuul

Meaning

  • noundepression

Example

시험 전에 우울이 찾아와요.si heom cheo ne u u ri cha ja wa yo

I feel depressed before the exam.

Illustration for 우울 (depression)

More examples

요즘 우울감이 자주 들어요.yo jeum u ul ga mi cha ju teu reo yo

I often feel depressed these days.

Core concept

A low, joyless state in which the mind feels weighed down.

Common phrases

  • 우울감u ul gam

    feeling of depression

  • 우울을 느끼다u u reul neu kki da

    feel depressed

  • 우울 상태u ul sang tae

    state of depression

Similar words

슬픔seulpeum: A painful feeling of sadness caused by loss, failure, or another difficult event.
우울감uulgam: A temporary feeling of low spirits and heaviness.
우울증uuljeung: A long-lasting depressive condition that may require professional treatment.

Definition in Korean

마음이 가라앉고 즐겁지 않은 상태나 기분.ma eu mi ka ra an kko cheul geop jji a neun sang tae na ki bun

Word origin

This Sino-Korean compound comes from classical Chinese roots associated with worry and a blocked, heavy feeling, suggesting a mind that cannot easily brighten.

Usage tips

  • English depression often sounds clinical, but this Korean word can also describe a temporary low mood rather than a diagnosed illness.

Opposites

Related words

  • 우울하다uulhadadepressedadjective
  • 우울증uuljeungdepressionnoun
  • 우울감uulgamfeeling of depressionnoun

Word lists with this word