슬퍼요
seulpeoyo
To say "I am sad" in Korean, you use 슬퍼요 (seulpeoyo).
The phrase is used to express that you are feeling sorrow or unhappiness. You can emphasize this feeling by using the word 정말, which means "really".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 슬퍼요 is the polite/standard version. To express that you were sad in the past, use the past tense form 슬펐어요.
How do you pronounce it?
seulpeoyo
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, it is common to lower your gaze or use a quieter tone of voice to convey sadness.
Did you know?
- In Korean, the feeling of sadness is often linked to the concept of 한 (han), a uniquely Korean form of deep-seated resentment or sorrow caused by injustice.
- When someone says 슬퍼요, a common empathetic response is not to say 'don't be sad', but to acknowledge the pain by saying 그랬구나, which means 'I see that happened'.
- While 'I am sad' focuses on the person, Korean often describes the 'situation' as being 'sad' or 'heart-wrenching' using the phrase 마음이 아프다 (maeumi apeuda), literally 'the heart hurts'.
Examples in context
- 저는 정말 슬퍼요.I am really sad
- 가족 문제 때문에 저는 슬퍼요.I am sad because of family problems.
- 시험을 망쳐서 나 슬프다.I am sad because I failed the exam.
- 혼자 있어서 슬퍼요.honja isseoseo seulpeoyo.I am sad because I am alone.
- 갑자기 너무 슬퍼요.gapjagi neomu seulpeoyo.I am suddenly very sad.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a sad story.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 이 이야기 정말 슬퍼요.Seoyeon ssi, i iyagi jeongmal seulpeoyo.Seoyeon, this story is really sad.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요. 저도 마음이 아파요.majayo. jeodo maeumi apayo.You're right. My heart hurts too.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo주인공이 너무 불쌍해요.juingongi neomu bulssanghaeyo.The main character is so pitiful.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 안타까운 이야기네요.jeongmal antakkaun iyagineyo.It really is a sad story.
