울고 싶어요
ulgo sipeoyo
The English phrase "I want to cry" is expressed in Korean as 울고 싶어요 (ulgo sipeoyo).
This phrase is used to express a strong feeling of sadness or frustration that makes one feel like weeping.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 울다 (to cry) combined with the auxiliary verb structure -고 싶다 (to want to).
Which one should you use?
The phrase has several forms depending on the social context: 울고 싶어 is the casual version, 울고 싶습니다 is the highly formal version and 울고 싶다 is the plain form used for writing or internal thoughts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The casual version 울고 싶어 is used with friends or people younger than you. The highly formal version 울고 싶습니다 is used in professional settings or when speaking to a large audience. The plain form 울고 싶다 can be used in written journals or as a self-muttering thought to express one's internal state.
How do you pronounce it?
ulgo sipeoyo
Did you know?
- In Korean, the word 울다 can be used to describe the sound of a bird singing or an insect chirping. In these cases, the word translates more closely to 'cry out' or 'sing' than to weeping.
- When expressing a desire to cry, Koreans may use the term 한 to describe a deep, collective sorrow or unresolved resentment that is culturally specific to the Korean experience.
- In modern Korean internet slang, the phrase 울고 싶다 is often used ironically to describe a situation that is mildly inconvenient or slightly embarrassing rather than truly tragic.
Examples in context
- 선생님, 제가 울고 싶어요.Teacher, I want to cry.
- 회의 중이라서 속상하고 있어요. 너무 울고 싶습니다.I'm feeling upset during the meeting. I really want to cry.
- 오늘 공부를 하다가 너무 힘들어서 울고 싶어.I want to cry because studying today was too difficult.
- 너무 힘들어서 울고 싶어서 친구에게 연락했어.I contacted my friend because I wanted to cry due to feeling too stressed.
- 너무 슬퍼서 울고 싶어요.neomu seulpeoseo ulgo sipeoyo.I am so sad that I want to cry.
- 마음이 답답해서 울고 싶어요.maeumi dapdaphaeseo ulgo sipeoyo.My heart feels heavy and I want to cry.
- 갑자기 울고 싶어요.gapjagi ulgo sipeoyo.Suddenly, I want to cry.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is complaining to Hyunwoo about a hard day at work.
- 서연 Seo-yeon오늘 일이 너무 힘들었어요.oneul iri neomu himdeureosseoyo.Work was so hard today.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo무슨 일이 있었어요?museun iri isseosseoyo?What happened?
- 서연 Seo-yeon속상해서 그냥 울고 싶어요.soksanghaeseo geunyang ulgo sipeoyo.I'm so upset that I just want to cry.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo기운 내세요, 서연 씨.giun naeseyo, Seoyeon ssi.Cheer up, Seoyeon.
