Learning how to express different emotions in a foreign language can be quite exciting. In this guide, we will explore the different ways to say “scared me” in Korean. Whether you’re looking to express fear in a formal or informal setting, we’ve got you covered with a range of tips, examples, and regional variations, if applicable.
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Formal Ways to Say “Scared Me” in Korean
When communicating in formal situations, such as with your superiors, elders, or strangers, it is best to use the polite form of speech. Here are a few ways to express being scared formally:
- 무섭게 하다 (museobge hada) – This phrase literally translates to “make someone scared”. For example, you could say:
왕이 귀신을 무섭게 했다. (Wangi gwisin-eul museobge haessda.) – The ghost scared the king.
무섭다고 놀라게 하다 (museopdagio nollage hada) – This phrase means “to make someone scared and surprised”. For instance:
그 영화는 나를 무섭다고 놀라게 했다. (Geu yeonghwa-neun nareul museopdagio nollage haessda.) – That movie scared and surprised me.
무서움을 주다 (museoumeul juda) – This expression means “to give fear to someone”. You can use it as follows:
여행 중에 그 사람 내게 무서움을 줬어요. (Yeohaeng jung-e geu saram naege museoumeul jwosseoyo.) – That person scared me during the trip.
Informal Ways to Say “Scared Me” in Korean
When speaking to close friends, family members, or people younger than you, you have the flexibility to use informal expressions. Here are a few casual ways to say “scared me” in Korean:
- 무시무시하게 하다 (musimusihage hada) – This phrase means “to make someone scared in a creepy way”. Use it in sentences like:
우리 친구들이 무시무시하게 나를 놀라게 했어. (Uri chingudeur-i musimusihage nareul nollage haesseo.) – Our friends scared me in a creepy way.
무서워 죽겠다 (museowo jukgetda) – This expression translates to “I’m scared to death”. It can be used like this:
좀비 영화 보고 무서워 죽겠다. (Jombi yeonghwa bogo museowo jukgetda.) – I’m scared to death after watching a zombie movie.
소름 끼치게 하다 (soreum kkichige hada) – This phrase means “to make someone get goosebumps”. For example:
저 영화는 끔찍해서 나에게 소름 끼치게 했어. (Jeo yeonghwa-neun kkeumchikhaeseo naege soreum kkichige haesseo.) – That movie was so terrifying it gave me goosebumps.
Regional Variations
While Korean is generally standardized across the country, there can be slight regional variations in language usage. Here are a couple of examples:
Busan Dialect
In the Busan dialect, which is spoken in the southeastern region of South Korea, the word “scared” is expressed as 무섭노 (museobno). For instance:
날 밤에 무섭노? (Nal bame museobno?) – Are you scared at night?
Jeju Dialect
In the Jeju dialect, spoken on the island of Jeju, the word “scared” is expressed as 무싶 (musip). Here’s an example:
그 기사가 너무 무싶 네. (Geu gisa-ga neomu musip ne.) – That article really scared me.
While these regional variations exist, it is important to note that the standard Korean expressions mentioned earlier are universally understood and used throughout the country.
Learning how to express being scared in Korean will not only make your language skills more versatile but also help you connect with native speakers on a deeper level. Remember to use the appropriate level of politeness depending on the situation, and feel free to explore regional dialects to add more flavor to your conversations. Stay curious and keep practicing!
