정신적 충격
jeongsinjeok chunggyeok
The English phrase "emotional damage" is translated into Korean as 정신적 충격 (jeongsinjeok chunggyeok).
정신적 충격 refers to the psychological distress or trauma caused by a negative experience. While the English phrase is sometimes used colloquially or even jokingly, the Korean term carries a more serious, clinical or heavy connotation of psychological trauma.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 정신적 (mental/spiritual) and 충격 (shock/impact).
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context, other terms may be more appropriate. For informal discussions with friends about emotional scars, you might use 마음의 상처, which literally means "wound of the heart". In casual internet slang or gaming contexts, Koreans often use the loanword 정신적 데미지 to express being emotionally hurt or shaken.
How do you pronounce it?
jeongsinjeok chunggyeok
Did you know?
- In Korean legal contexts, 정신적 충격 is often linked to 위자료, which is a specific type of monetary compensation for emotional distress or 'consolation money'.
- The loanword 정신적 데미지 is used specifically in gaming and internet culture, reflecting the influence of RPG 'damage' points on modern Korean slang.
- The character 擊 in 충격 is the same one used in the word for 'attack' or 'strike', implying that emotional damage feels like a physical assault.
Examples in context
- 그 일로 인해 진짜 마음의 상처를 받았어.I really got emotionally hurt because of that incident.
- 그 사건은 저에게 큰 정신적 충격을 주었어요.geu sageon-eun jeoege keun jeongsinjeok chunggyeog-eul jueosseoyo.That incident caused me great emotional damage.
- 갑작스러운 이별은 정신적 충격이 커요.gapjageureoun ibyeol-eun jeongsinjeok chunggyeog-i keoyo.A sudden breakup causes significant emotional damage.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are discussing a sad news report.
- 수빈 Su-bin그 뉴스를 듣고 정신적 충격을 받았어.geu nyuseu-reul deutgo jeongsinjeok chunggyeog-eul badasseo.I suffered emotional damage after hearing that news.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 안타까운 소식이네.jeongmal antakkaun sosigine.That is truly heartbreaking news.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨도 마음이 안 좋죠?hyeonwoo ssi-do maeumi an jochyo?You feel bad too, Hyunwoo?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 너무 슬픈 이야기예요.ne, neomu seulpeun iyagiyeoyo.Yes, it is a very sad story.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 정신적, 충격, CC BY-SA 4.0.
