인생은 힘들어
insaeng-eun himdeureo
The English phrase "life is hard" is expressed in Korean as 인생은 힘들어 (insaeng-eun himdeureo).
This phrase is used to express that living and surviving in the world is difficult or stressful.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 인생 (insaeng) refers specifically to the course of a person's life or human existence.
Which one should you use?
There is a nuance between the words used for "hard". Using 힘들어 (himdeureo) implies a struggle of effort, energy or emotional hardship.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can also shift the nuance by changing the particle from 은 (eun) to 이 (i). For example, 인생이 힘들어 shifts the nuance from a general statement about life to a more specific emphasis on 'life' itself being the thing that is hard.
How do you pronounce it?
insaeng-eun himdeureo
Did you know?
- While 인생은 힘들어 describes the struggle of life, Koreans often use the term 한 (han) to describe a collective, deep-seated feeling of sorrow and injustice that stems from a hard life.
- In modern Korean slang, the phrase 갓생 (god-saeng) is used to describe the opposite of a hard life, referring to a productive and exemplary lifestyle.
- The word 힘 (him) inside the phrase 힘들어 literally means 'strength' or 'power', so saying you are 'hard' is etymologically linked to saying your 'strength is being used up'.
Examples in context
- 인생이 정말 어려워요.Life is really hard
- 인생이 매우 힘들어.Life is extremely tough
- 인생이 괴로워.Life is agonizing
- 정말 인생은 힘들어.jeongmal insaeng-eun himdeureo.Life is really hard.
- 인생은 힘들어 보이지?insaeng-eun himdeureo boiji?Life looks hard, doesn't it?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their stressful jobs.
- 서연 Seo-yeon요즘 일이 너무 많아.yojeum iri neomu mana.I have too much work lately.
- 민준 Min-jun맞아, 정말 인생은 힘들어.maja, jeongmal insaeng-eun himdeureo.Right, life is really hard.
- 서연 Seo-yeon우리 맛있는 거 먹으러 갈까?uri masinneun geo meogeureo galkka?Shall we go eat something delicious?
- 민준 Min-jun좋아, 민준이가 살게.joha, Minjun-iga salge.Sounds good, Minjun will pay.
