질투나
jiltuna
To say I am jealous in Korean, use 질투나 (jiltuna).
질투나 says that you feel a sting of jealousy, often in a romantic sense or with a negative feeling.
What does it mean word for word?
질투나 combines the noun 질투, jealousy, with the verb 나다, to arise or come out. Literally it is jealousy comes out.
Which one should you use?
부럽다 is the more common and neutral word for being envious of someone's good fortune or possessions. 너무 부러워! means I'm so jealous! In a friendly way, for example when a friend has good news.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as jiltuna.
What mistakes should you avoid?
If you just mean that you envy someone's luck or success, 질투나 can sound bitter. Use a form of 부럽다 instead.
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific term 사촌이 땅을 사면 배가 아프다, which literally means 'my stomach hurts when my cousin buys land', to describe the physical sensation of jealousy.
- The verb 나다 in 질투나 is the same word used for a fire breaking out or a plant sprouting. This frames jealousy as a spontaneous eruption rather than a conscious feeling.
- While 'jealousy' is often negative, the word 질투 can be used in Korean pop culture to describe a 'cute' or 'flirty' jealousy. It often depicts a partner acting possessive in a playful, endearing way.
Examples in context
- 하린: "와, 여행 가고 싶다. 너희들 보면 진짜 너무 부러워."Wow, I want to go on a trip. I'm really jealous when I see all of you.
- 네가 부러워서 질투나.nega bureowoseo jiltuna.I am jealous because I am envious of you.
- 너무 잘 되니까 질투나.neomu jal doenikka jiltuna.I am jealous because you are doing so well.
Example conversation
Minji tells Hyunwoo that she won a prize.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지야, 상 받았다는 소식 들었어.Minji-ya, sang badass-da-neun sosik deureosseo.Minji, I heard the news that you won a prize.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 운이 좋았어.Jeongmal uni joasseo.I was really lucky.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo너무 대단해서 질투나.Neomu daedan-haeseo jiltuna.You are so amazing that I am jealous.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워, 현우야.Gomawo, Hyunwoo-ya.Thank you, Hyunwoo.
