외롭다
oeropda[we̞ɾo̞p̚t͈a̠]
The English phrase 'lonely' is expressed in Korean primarily through the word 외롭다 (oeropda). Wiktionary also lists 고독하다 (godokhada).
Meaning: of person: unhappy by feeling isolated (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 외롭다 | oeropda | [we̞ɾo̞p̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ø̞ɾo̞p̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 고독하다 | godokhada | [ko̞do̞kʰa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word is used to describe a person who is unhappy due to feeling isolated.
Which one should you use?
While both terms relate to being alone, 외롭다 is used for the emotional feeling of being lonely. In contrast, 고독하다 is used for a more profound, existential or solitary state, such as being lonely in a philosophical sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 외롭다 can change based on how it is used in a sentence. To use it as an adjective before a noun, it changes to the attributive form 외로운. In the polite present tense, it conjugates to 외로워요 and in the polite past tense, it conjugates to 외로웠어요.
How do you pronounce it?
oeropda
Did you know?
- The term 고독사 (godoksa) is a common modern Korean word referring to 'lonely deaths', specifically people who die alone and remain undiscovered for some time.
- The word 외롭다 comes from 외, which is the root for 'one' or 'single'. This links the emotional state of feeling 'lonely' directly to the numerical state of being 'one'.
- In some contexts, saying 외롭다 can be a subtle, indirect way of telling someone that you miss them or want them to spend more time with you.
Examples in context
- 톰은 메리가 외롭다고 생각해.Tom thinks that Mary is lonely.This sentence is useful for showing how to express someone else's opinion regarding the state of being 외롭다.Tatoeba #8384611 by Eunhee, translation #7175688 by CK
- 저는 요즘 외로움을 많이 느끼고 있어요.I have been feeling a lot of loneliness lately.
- 외로움으로 인해 정말 힘들게 되었습니다.Loneliness has made things really difficult for me.
- 너 왜 이렇게 외로워 보여?Why do you look so lonely?
- 이곳에서 혼자 살면 쓸쓸하지 않을까?Won't it be lonely living here alone?
- 혼자 있으면 정말 외롭다.honja isseumyeon jeongmal oeropda.It is really lonely when I am alone.
- 그는 지금 매우 외롭다.geuneun jigeum maeu oeropda.He is very lonely right now.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends talking about living alone.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 혼자 살아서 외롭다.Hyeon-u ssi, honja saraseo oeropda.Hyeon-u, I feel lonely because I live alone.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말요? 제가 자주 놀러 갈게요.jeongmalyo? jega jaju nolleo galgeyo.Really? I will come visit you often.
- 지은 Ji-eun그래 주면 정말 좋겠어요.geurae jumyeon jeongmal jokess-eoyo.I would really love that.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이제 더 이상 외롭지 마세요.ije deo isang oeropji maseyo.Please don't be lonely anymore.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lonely” translations and entries 외롭다, 고독하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 고독하다, 외롭다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
