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In this post we’ll cover lots of Korean vocabulary and structures that will help you talk about your moods, emotions, and feelings.
기분이 어때요? gibun-i eottaeyo? How do you feel?
Let’s start with some questions you can ask to find out how people feel.
- 지금 기분이 어때요?
jigeum gibun-i eottaeyo?
How are you feeling right now? - 괜찮아요?
gwaenchanayo?
Are you okay? Is everything okay?
- 기분이 좋아요, 안좋아요?
gibun-i jo-ayo, anjo-ayo?
Are you in a good mood or a bad mood? - 좋은 시간 보내고 있어요?
joh-eun shigan bonaego isseoyo?
Are you having a good time? - 무슨 일이에요?
museun il-ieyo?
What’s the matter? - 음식을/영화를/파티를 즐기고 있어요?
eumshig-eul/yeonghwa-reul/pati-reul jeulgigo isseoyo?
Are you enjoying the food / the film / the party?
행복해요. haengboghaeyo I’m happy!
Let’s start with some really basic happy stuff. Notice that the verb 웃다 utda can mean either to laugh or to smile in Korean. If you need to specify, the noun 미소 miso means a smile, so you could use the expression 미소를 짓다 miso-reul jitda to mean specifically to smile, to make a smile. Or you can use an adverb like 소리로 soli-lo (out loud): 소리로 웃다 soli-lo utda would have to mean laugh, since it involves sound.
- 행복해요.
haengboghaeyo
I am happy. - (나는) 날씨가 좋아서 기뻐요.
(na-neun) nalsshi-ga jo-aseo gippeoyo.
I am happy that the weather is nice. - 좋은 소식을 들어서 기뻐요.
joh-eun soshig-eul deuleoseo gippeoyo.
I’m happy about the good news. - 이 노래는/ 좋은 소식은 나를 행복하게 해요.
i nolae-neun/ joh-eun soshig-eun na-reul haengboghage haeyo.
This song/Good news makes me happy. - 오늘 기분이 정말 좋아요.
oneul gibun-i jeongmal jo-ayo.
I’m in a really good mood today. - 햇빛 때문에 기분이 좋아요.
haetbit ttaemun-e gibun-i jo-ayo.
I’m in a good mood because of the sunshine. - 좋은 날씨는 항상 내 기분을 좋게 해요.
jo-eun nalsshi-neun hangsang nae gibun-eul joge haeyo.
Nice weather always puts me in a good mood. - 왜 웃고 있어요?
wae utgo isseoyo?
Why are you smiling/laughing? - 행복해서 웃고 있어요.
haengboghaeseo utgo isseoyo.
I’m smiling because I’m happy. - 이 비디오가 웃겨서 소리로 웃고있어요
i bidio-ga utgyeoseo soli-lo utgo isseoyo.
I’m laughing out loud because this video is funny.
슬퍼요! seulpeoyo! I’m sad!
Now let’s cover some basic unhappy things.
- (나는) 슬퍼요!
(naneun) seulpeoyo!
I am sad. - 오늘 기분이 좀 안 좋아요.
oneul gibun-i jom an jo-ayo.
I’m feeling a bit down today. - 날씨 때문에 슬퍼요.
nalsshi ttaemun-e seulpeoyo.
I am sad about the weather. - 안좋은 소식에 슬퍼요.
anjo-eun soshig-e seulpeoyo.
I am sad about the bad news. - 이 노래는/비는 항상 나를 슬프게 해요.
i nolae-neun/bi-neun hangsang na-leul seulpeuge haeyo.
This song/The rain always makes me sad. - 오늘 기분이 안 좋아요.
oneul gibun-i an jo-ayo.
I’m in a bad mood today. - 피곤해서 기분이 안 좋아요.
pigonhaeseo gibun-i an jo-ayo.
I’m in a bad mood because I’m tired. - 교통체증은 항상 나를 기분 나쁘게 해요.
gyotongchejeung-eun hangsang na-leul gibun nappeuge haeyo.
Traffic always puts me in a bad mood. - 왜 울고 있어요?
wae ulgo isseoyo?
Why are you crying? - 슬퍼서 울고 있어요.
seulpeoseo ulgo isseoyo.
I’m crying because I’m very sad. - 지금 조금 화가 났어요.
jigeum jogeum hwaga nasseoyo.
I’m a little upset now. - 내 여자/남자 친구한테 화가 났어요.
nae yeoja/namja chinguhante hwaga nasseoyo.
I’m upset with my girlfriend/my boyfriend. - 식당에/영화에/친구들에게 실망했어요.
shigdang-e/yeonghwa-e/chingudeul-ege shilmanghaesseoyo.
I’m disappointed by the restaurant / the film / my friends. - (나는) 새 여자 친구가 / 남자 친구가 부러워요.
(na-neun) sae yeoja chingu-ga /namja chingu-ga buleowoyo.
I’m jealous of your new boyfriend/girlfriend.
즐거운 시간을 보내고 있어요! jeulgeoun shigan-eul bonaego isseoyo! I’m having a great time!
If you’re doing something that you really enjoy, you could say:
- (우리는) 여기서 즐거운 시간을 보내고 있어요.
(uli-neun) yeogiseo jeulgeoun shigan-eul bonaego isseoyo.
We’re having a great time here. - 파티에서 즐거운 시간을 보냈어요.
pati-eseo jeulgeoun shigan-eul bonaesseoyo.
I had a great time at the party. - 만나서 반가웠어요.
mannaseo bangawosseoyo.
It was wonderful to see you! - 내 친구들과 시간 보내는 것이 정말 즐거워요.
nae chingudeul-gwa shigan bonae-neun geosh-i jeongmal jeulgeowoyo.
I really enjoy spending time with my friends. - (우리는) 오늘 매우 즐거웠어요.
(uli-neun) oneul maeu jeulgeowosseoyo.
We enjoyed ourselves very much today. - 아주 즐거운 시간을 보내고 있어요.
aju jeulgeoun shigan-eul bonaego isseoyo.
I’m having a lot of fun. - 항상 친구들과 즐겁게 지내요.
hangsang chingudeul-gwa jeulgeobge jinaeyo.
I always have fun with my friends. - 우리 모두는 게임을 즐겼어요.
uli moduneun geim-eul jeulgyeosseoyo.
We all had a good time at the game.
내 여행이 기대되요. nae yeohaeng-i gidaedoeyo. I’m excited about my trip.
If you’re excited about something, you may want to say:
- 내여행이/ 새 일이 기대되요.
nae yeohaeng-i/ sae il-i gidaedoeyo.
I’m excited about my trip/my new job. - 주말을 고대하고 있어요.
jumal-eul godaehago isseoyo.
I’m looking forward to the weekend. - 이 영화 보기를 기대하고 있어요.
i yeonghwa bogi-leul gidaehago isseoyo.
I’m looking forward to seeing this film. - 뭐가 신나요?
mwo-ga shinnayo?
What are you excited about? - 무엇을 하기를 기대하고 있어요?
mueos-eul hagi-leul gidaehago isseoyo?
What are you looking forward to doing? - 빨리 친구들을 보고 싶어요.
ppalli chingudeul-eul bogo shipeoyo.
I can’t wait to see my friends. - 산악 자전거를 타는 것은 신나요.
san-ag jajeongeo-leul taneun geos-eun shinnayo.
Riding a mountain bike is exciting. - 여기는 신나게 할 수 있는 일들이 많아요.
yeogi-neun shinnage hal su itneun ideul-i manayo.
There are lots of exciting things to do around here. - 정말 그 책을 읽고 싶어요.
jeongmal geu chaeg-eul ilgo shipeoyo.
I’m very eager to read that book. - 새 일에 대해 매우 열정적이에요.
sae il-e daehae maeu yeoljeongjeogieyo.
I’m very enthusiastic about my new job.
심심해요. shimshimhaeyo. I’m bored
Of course, life isn’t only fun and excitement. You will probably experience plenty of times when you want to say:
- 오늘 정말 심심해요.
oneul jeongmal shimshimhaeyo.
I’m really bored today. - 이 영화는 지루해요.
i yeonghwa-neun jiluhaeyo.
This film is boring! - 하루 종일 누워서 텔레비전을 보고 싶어요.
halu jong-il nuwoseo tellebijeon-eul bogo shipeoyo.
I just feel like lying around and watching TV all day. - 아무것도 하고 싶지 않아요.
amugeotdo hago shipji anayo.
I don’t feel like doing anything. - 안좋은 날씨가 지겨워요.
anjo-eun nalsshi-ga jigyeowoyo.
I’m tired of the bad weather. - 내 일이 지겨워요. 매우 따분해요.
nae il-i jigyeowoyo. maeu ttabunhaeyo.
I’m tired of my job. It’s very dull. - 이 음악은 나를 짜증나게 해요.
i eum-ag-eun na-leul jjajeungnage haeyo.
This music annoys me. - 지금 나를 짜증나게 해요.
jigeum na-leul jjajeungnage haeyo.
You’re annoying me right now! - 이 노래를 참을 수 없어요.
i nolae-leul cham-eul su eobseoyo.
I can’t stand this song. - 그 소리가/빛이/냄새가 신경에 거슬려요.
geu soli-ga/bich-i/naemsae-ga shingyeong-e geoseullyeoyo.
The sound/light/smell is getting on my nerves.
생각이 많아요. saeng-gag-i manayo. I have a lot on my mind.
Sometimes it’s hard for us to focus because we’re thinking of something else.
- 산만해 보여요.
sanmanhae boyeoyo.
You seem distracted. - 뭐 생각하고 있는 것이 있어요?
mwo saeng-gaghago itneun geosh-i isseoyo?
Is there something on your mind? - 매우 바빠요. 벅차요.
maeu bappayo. beogchayo.
I’m very busy. I feel overwhelmed. - 내 남편이/아내가/ 친구가 걱정이 돼요.
nae nampyeon-i/anae-ga/ chingu-ga geogjeong-i dwaeyo.
I’m worried about my husband/my wife/my friend. - 좀 우울해요.
jom uulhaeyo.
I feel a little depressed. - 내 일이 걱정 돼요.
nae il-i geogjeong dwaeyo.
I’m anxious about my job. - 병원에 가야해서 긴장 돼요.
byeongwon-e gayahaeseo ginjang dwaeyo.
I’m nervous because I have to go to the hospital. - 엄마가/아빠가/아들이/딸이 걱정 돼요.
eomma-ga/appa-ga/adeul-i/ttal-i geogjeong dwaeyo.
I’m worried about my mother/my father/my son/my daughter. - 내 일에 집중할 수가 없어요.
nae il-e jibjunghal suga eobseoyo.
I can’t focus on my work. - 혼란스러워요. 집중해야 해요.
honlanseuleowoyo. jibjunghaeya haeyo.
I’m confused. I need to concentrate. - 여기가 불편해요.
yeogi-ga bulpyeonhaeyo.
I’m uncomfortable here. - 이 장소는/대화는 나를 불편하게 해요.
i jangso-neun/daehwa-neun na-leul bulpyeonhage haeyo.
This place/conversation makes me uncomfortable.
무서워요! museowoyo! I’m afraid!
There are lots of ways to talk about things that you’re frightened of.
- 어둠이/거미가 무서워요.
eodum-i/geomi-ga museowoyo.
I’m afraid of the dark / spiders. - 이 영화는 무서워요!
i yeonghwa-neun museowoyo!
This film is terrifying! - 악몽을 꿀 거예요.
anmong-eul kkul geoyeyo.
I’m going to have nightmares. - 무엇을 무서워 해요?
mueos-eul museowo haeyo?
What are you afraid of? - 높은 곳이 무서워요.
nop-eun gosh-i museowoyo.
I’m afraid of heights. - 뱀을 보고 놀랐어요.
baem-eul bogo nollasseoyo.
I was startled when I saw the snake. - 쥐를 보고 소리 질렀어요.
jwi-leul bogo soli jilleosseoyo.
I screamed when I saw a mouse. - 미치겠어요. 진정해야 해요.
michigesseoyo. jinjeonghaeya haeyo.
I’m freaking out! I need to calm down.
매우 화가 나요. maeu hwaga nayo. I’m very angry.
Some emotions are much stronger than other.
- 지금 매우 화가 나요.
jigeum maeu hwaga nayo.
I’m very angry right now. - 왜 화가 났어요?
wae hwaga nasseoyo?
Why are you angry? - 나한테 화났어요?
nahante hwanasseoyo?
Are you angry at me? - 내 친구/남편/아내/상사에게 화가 났어요.
nae chingu/nampyeon/anae/sangsa-ege hwaga nass-eoyo.
I’m furious with my friend/my husband/my wife/my boss. - 그 사진은/책은/영화는 나를 역겹게 한다.
geu sajin-eun/chaeg-eun/yeonghwa-neun na-leul yeoggyeobge handa.
That photo/book/film disgusts me. - 그 사진은/책은/영화는 역겨워요.
geu sajin-eun/chaeg-eun/yeonghwa-neun yeoggyeowoyo.
That photo/book/film is disgusting. - 그 이야기는 나를 놀라게 했어요.
geu iyagi-neun na-leul nollage haesseoyo.
The story shocked me. - 그 소식에 놀랐어요.
geu soshig-e nollasseoyo.
The news was shocking. - 매우 불쾌해요.
maeu bulkwaehaeyo.
I’m very offended. - 내 감정이 상했어요.
nae gamjeong-i sanghaesseoyo.
My feelings are hurt.
그것을 후회해요. geugeos-eul huhoehaeyo. I regret it.
Sometimes we do or say things that make us feel unpleasant emotions.
- 너무 창피해요.
neomu changpihaeyo.
I’m so embarrassed! - 바보 같아요.
babo gatayo.
I feel like a fool. - 멍청이 같아요.
meongcheong-i gatayo.
I feel like a jerk. - 내가 한 말/행동에 대해 죄책감을 느껴요.
nae-ga han mal/haengdong-e daehae joechaeggam-eul neukkyeoyo.
I feel guilty for what I did / said. - 그렇게 말한 것을 후회해요.
geuleohge malhan geos-eul huhoehaeyo.
I regret saying that. - (…씨를) 불쾌하게 해서 내 가슴이 아파요.
(…sshileul) bulkwaehage haeseo nae gaseum-i apayo.
I feel terrible for offending (you). - 내가 한 일/ 한 말에 대해서 사과하고 싶어요.
nae-ga han il/ han mal-e daehaeseo sagwahago sip-eoyo.
I want to apologize for what I did / said. - 거짓말해서 미안해요.
geojismalhaeseo mianhaeyo.
I’m sorry I lied. - (…씨를의) 마음을 아프게 해서 미안해요.
(…sshileul-e) ma-eum-eul apeuge haeseo mianhaeyo.
I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. - 나를 용서할 수 있어요?
na-leul yongseohal su isseoyo?
Can you forgive me?
편안해요. pyeon-anhaeyo. I’m relaxed.
Hopefully there are plenty of times when you feel just right.
- (나는) 매우 차분 해요.
(na-neun) maeu chabun haeyo.
I feel very calm. - (나는) 아주 편안해요.
(naneun) aju pyeon-anhaeyo.
I’m very relaxed. - 내 일에 매우 만족해요.
nae il-e maeu manjoghaeyo.
I’m very satisfied with my job. - 아이들이/형제들이/ 자매들이 자랑스러워요.
aideul-i/hyeongjedeul-i/ jamaedeul-i jalangseuleowoyo.
I feel proud of my children / my brother / my sister. - 정말 잘됐다!
jeongmal jaldwaetda!
I’m very happy for you! - 전혀 걱정하지 않아요.
jeonhyeo geogjeonghaji anayo.
I’m not worried about anything at all. - 내 모든 문제들을 잊었어요.
nae modeun munjedeul-eul ijeosseoyo.
I have forgotten all of my troubles. - 나는 그저 여기 앉아서 바다를/하늘을/나무를 보는 것에 만족해요.
na-neun geujeo yeogi anj-aseo bada-leul/haneul-eul/namu-leul boneun geos-e manjoghaeyo.
I’m content just sitting here and looking at the ocean / the sky / the trees. - 지금 매우 편안해요.
jigeum maeu pyeon-anhaeyo.
I’m very comfortable right now. - 아주 편안해요.
aju pyeon-anhaeyo.
I feel perfectly at ease.
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