굴욕
guryok[kuɾjok̚]
In Korean, humiliation can be expressed as 굴욕 (guryok). Wiktionary also lists 오욕 (oyok).
Meaning: the state of being humiliated, humbled or reduced to lowliness or submission (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 굴욕 | guryok | [kuɾjok̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 오욕 | oyok | [ˈo̞(ː)jok̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to the state of being humbled, reduced to lowliness or forced into submission.
Which one should you use?
굴욕 is the standard, most common term for humiliation or a sense of being disgraced. In contrast, 오욕 is a more literary and formal term used to describe a lasting stain on one's honor or reputation, often translated as 'ignominy' or 'stain of disgrace'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of feeling humiliation, use the noun 굴욕 with the object marker 을 and the verb 느끼다 (to feel) to form 굴욕을 느끼다. You can also turn the noun 굴욕 into an adjective meaning 'humiliating' by adding the suffix –적이다 to form 굴욕적이다.
How do you pronounce it?
guryok
Did you know?
- The term 오욕 can be a complete homonym for 'the five desires' in a Buddhist context. While one version means a 'stain of disgrace', the other uses entirely different characters to describe the five human cravings that cause suffering.
- The word 굴욕 is physically rooted in the concept of bending, as the character 屈 literally means to bend or fold. This suggests that true humiliation is not just a feeling, but the physical act of being forced into a submissive, bent posture.
- The word 오욕 uses a character for 'dirt' or 'pollution', treating a stain on one's reputation as a physical impurity that must be cleansed.
Examples in context
- 너의 그 말은 나에게 창피함을 주었어.Your words embarrassed me.
- 그는 큰 굴욕을 느꼈다.geuneun keun gul-yogeul neukgyeotda.He felt a great sense of humiliation.
- 그것은 개인적인 굴욕이었다.geugeoseun gaeinjeogin gul-yogieotda.It was a personal humiliation.
- 그녀는 굴욕을 참지 못했다.geunyeoneun gul-yogeul chamji mothaetda.She could not tolerate the humiliation.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a bad experience at work.
- 지은 Ji-eun상사 앞에서 정말 굴욕적이었어.sangsa apeseo jeongmal gulyokjeogieosseo.It was truly humiliating in front of the boss.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 속상했겠다, 지은아.jeongmal soksanghaetgetda, jieuna.You must have been really upset, Jieun.
- 지은 Ji-eun내 인생 최고의 굴욕이야.nae insaeng choegoui gulyogiya.It's the greatest humiliation of my life.
- 민준 Min-jun너무 마음 쓰지 마, 민준이가 도와줄게.neomu maeum sseuji ma, minjuni-ga dowajulge.Don't worry too much, Minjun will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “humiliation” translations and entries 굴욕, 오욕, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 굴욕, 오욕, CC BY-SA 4.0.
