Learning how to express confusion is an essential part of any language journey. In this guide, we will explore various ways to say “confused” in Korean, both formally and informally. Whether you’re planning a trip to South Korea or simply interested in the Korean language, this guide will provide you with useful tips, examples, and regional variations if necessary.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Confused:
1. 헷갈리다 (het-gal-ri-da)
As a formal expression of confusion, “헷갈리다” is commonly used in Korean. It can be translated as “to be confused” or “to be perplexed.”
Example:
저는 수학 문제 때문에 헷갈려요.
(jeo-neun soo-hak moon-je ttae-moon-e het-gal-lyeo-yo)
I am confused because of the math problem.
2. 난처하다 (nan-cheo-ha-da)
“난처하다” is another formal way to express confusion. It conveys a sense of being embarrassed or at a loss.
Example:
난처해서 대답을 못 했어요.
(nan-cheo-hae-seo dae-dap-eul mot haess-eo-yo)
I couldn’t respond as I was confused.
Informal Ways to Say Confused:
1. 헷갈려 (het-gal-lyeo)
Informally, you can simply use “헷갈려” to express confusion. This form drops the formal ending “-요.”
Example:
나는 그게 헷갈려.
(na-neun geu-ge het-gal-lyeo)
I am confused about that.
2. 헷갈려서 (het-gal-lyeo-seo)
“헷갈려서” is an informal form that adds the casual ending “-서” to the base form. It conveys confusion in a more relaxed manner.
Example:
어떻게 작동하는지 헷갈려서 질문해 보고 싶어요.
(eo-tteoh-ge jak-dong-ha-neun-ji het-gal-lyeo-seo jil-mun-hae bo-go si-peo-yo)
I want to ask questions because I’m confused about how it works.
Regional Variations:
Korean is primarily spoken in two countries: South Korea and North Korea. While most language aspects are similar, there can be regional variations in vocabulary.
In South Korea, which tends to be the point of reference for teaching Korean, the above expressions are commonly used regardless of the region. In North Korea, however, you might come across slightly different vocabulary. For example, instead of “헷갈리다 (het-gal-ri-da),” North Koreans may say “스릉하다 (seu-reung-ha-da)” to express confusion.
Example:
스릉하다 (seu-reung-ha-da)
(North Korean variation)
I am confused.
It’s important to note that unless you have specific reasons to learn North Korean dialect or you’re in that region, it is advisable to focus on standard Korean.
Learning to express confusion in Korean can greatly enhance your language skills. Practice using these formal and informal phrases in relevant situations to become more confident in your Korean conversations. Remember that learning a language takes time, so be patient with yourself and enjoy the process!
