불쌍해라
bulssanghaera
The English phrase "poor thing" can be expressed in Korean as 불쌍해라 (bulssanghaera).
This expression is used to describe someone or something to be pitied.
Meaning: someone or something to be pitied (noun)
Which one should you use?
좀 불쌍해 translates to "It's a bit pitiful," and both 정말 안됐네요 and 참 안됐네 can be used to mean "That's really unfortunate."
How do you pronounce it?
bulssanghaera
Did you know?
- While 불쌍해라 is used for pity, Koreans use a completely different set of expressions for 'poor' in terms of money, as the two concepts are linguistically separate.
- While 불쌍해라 expresses pity, saying it directly to someone's face can feel condescending or patronizing in Korean culture. It is much safer to use it when talking about a third party or a pet.
- When watching Korean dramas, you might hear characters use 쯧쯧 (tseut-tseut) alongside words for pity. This is a clicking sound made with the tongue, similar to 'tsk-tsk' in English, to express sympathetic disapproval.
Examples in context
- 길을 잃은 강아지, 정말 불쌍해라.gil-eul il-eun gang-a-ji, jeong-mal bul-ssang-hae-ra.The lost puppy, what a poor thing.
- 혼자 아픈 아이를 보니 불쌍해라.hon-ja a-peun a-i-reul bo-ni bul-ssang-hae-ra.Seeing the child sick alone, what a poor thing.
- 너무 힘들었을 텐데 정말 불쌍해라.neo-mu him-deul-eot-eul ten-de jeong-mal bul-ssang-hae-ra.It must have been so hard, what a poor thing.
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are looking at a drenched cat in the rain.
- 민지 Min-ji고양이가 비를 다 맞았어. 불쌍해라.goyang-iga bireul da majasseo. bulssanghaera.The cat is soaking wet. Poor thing.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그러게요. 어디서 왔을까요?geureogeyo. eodiseo wasseulkkayo?I know. I wonder where it came from.
- 민지 Min-ji너무 추워 보여요.neomu chuwo boyeoyo.It looks so cold.
- 지훈 Ji-hun빨리 수건으로 닦아줍시다.ppalli sugeon-euro dakkajupsida.Let's dry it with a towel quickly.
