Korean word

허무하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationheomuhada

Meaning

  • adjectiveempty

Example

오랫동안 준비했는데 결과가 없어서 마음이 허무하다.o raet ttong an chun bi haen neun de kyeol gwa ga eop sseo seo ma eu mi heo mu ha da

I felt empty after preparing for so long and getting no results.

Illustration for 허무하다 (empty)

More examples

오랜 연애가 끝나고 나니 마음이 허무하다.o raen yeo nae ga kkeun na go na ni ma eu mi heo mu ha da

After a long relationship ended, I felt empty.

Core concept

A hollow, pointless feeling arises when hopes or efforts lead nowhere.

Common phrases

  • 마음이 허무하다ma eu mi heo mu ha da

    feel empty

  • 허무한 기분heo mu han ki bun

    empty feeling

Similar words

공허하다kongheohada: Lack of inner meaning or satisfaction creates a hollow state of mind.
허전하다heojeonhada: The absence of someone or something creates loneliness and a feeling that something is missing.
아쉽다aswiptta: A missed chance or unmet expectation causes regret.
씁쓸하다sseupsseulhada: A disappointing outcome leaves an unpleasant, bitter feeling behind.

Definition in Korean

바라는 바를 이루지 못하거나 노력의 결과가 없을 때 마음에 공허함과 무의미함이 드는 상태를 가리키는 형용사.pa ra neun pa reul i ru ji mo ta geo na no ryeo gui kyeol gwa ga eop sseul ttae ma eu me kong heo ham gwa mu ui mi ha mi teu neun sang tae reul ka ri ki neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

It developed from a Sino-Korean compound expressing emptiness and nothingness, combined with a Korean element that makes an adjective.

Usage tips

  • English empty often describes a physical space, but this Korean adjective commonly describes emotional hollowness after disappointment.

Other meanings

  • meaninglessadjective

Opposites

  • 보람차다poramchadafulfillingadjective

Related words

  • 허무감heomugamemptinessnoun
  • 허무함heomuhamsense of emptinessnoun

Word lists with this word