Korean word

웃음

Pronunciation

Romanizationuseum

Meaning

  • nounlaughter

Example

그의 웃음이 들렸다.keu ui u seu mi teul lyeot tta

His laughter was heard.

Illustration for 웃음 (laughter)

More examples

그의 농담에 모두 웃음을 터뜨렸다.keu ui nong da me mo du u seu meul teo tteu ryeot tta

Everyone burst out laughing at his joke.

Core concept

The outward sign of amusement, appearing as a sound or a smile.

Common phrases

  • 웃음 소리u seum so ri

    sound of laughter

  • 웃음이 나다u seu mi na da

    break into laughter

  • 웃음을 참다u seu meul cham tta

    hold back laughter

Similar words

웃음소리useumsori: An audible sound produced by laughing.
미소miso: A slight lift at the corners of the mouth showing warmth or pleasure.

Definition in Korean

사람이 즐겁거나 우스워서 소리나 얼굴 표정으로 드러나는 반응이나 그 결과sa ra mi cheul geop kkeo na u seu wo seo so ri na eol gul pyo jeong eu ro teu reo na neun pa neung i na keu kyeol gwa

Word origin

This native Korean noun is formed from the verb meaning to laugh with a noun-forming ending, linking it to both the act and its visible result.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English laughter, this word can also refer to a visible response, so it does not always mean that a sound is heard.

Other meanings

  • smilenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 웃음소리useumsorisound of laughternoun
  • 웃음거리useumgeoriobject of ridiculenoun
  • 웃음보useumbofit of laughternoun

Word lists with this word