Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 울다 | ulda | [ˈu(ː)ɭda̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 흐느끼다 | heuneukkida | [xɯnɯk͈ida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
울다 is the most common way to say 'to cry' in Korean. It is used to describe both the physical act of shedding tears and the emotional state of crying. For a more descriptive, colloquial expression, you can use 펑펑 울다 to describe someone crying loudly or sobbing uncontrollably. Related to this is the noun 울음, which means 'crying' or 'a cry'.
Which one should you use?
While 울다 is the general term for the act of crying, 흐느끼다 specifically describes the nuance of sobbing or weeping with gasping breaths. Additionally, the phrase 눈물을 흘리다 translates to 'to shed tears' and is typically used in formal contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 울다 changes depending on the level of politeness and tense. The polite present tense form is 울어요 (cries / is crying), while the informal past tense form is 울었어 (cried). In an informal imperative context, you may use 울어.
How do you pronounce it?
ulda
Did you know?
- In Korea, there is a specific cultural concept called 한 (han), a deep sorrow or collective grief that is often described as a 'cry' that cannot be voiced, leading to a unique aesthetic of longing in music and art.
- The verb 울다 is so ancient that it was recorded in historical texts as early as 1103, centuries before the modern Hangul alphabet was created.
Examples in context
- 그 남자는 슬픔에 울었다.That man cried out of sadness.
- 그녀는 감동으로 눈물을 흘렸다.She shed tears from being moved.
- 너 왜 울어?Why are you crying?
- 그는 펑펑 울며 이야기했다.He spoke while sobbing uncontrollably.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cry” translations and entries 울다, 흐느끼다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 울다, 흐느끼다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
