😊 Expressing Emotions in Korean: 20 Feelings You Should Know
Feelings matter — and in Korean, expressing how you feel is a big part of real conversation.
Whether you're happy, angry, tired, or excited, this guide will help you speak your emotions with confidence. 🗣️💓
Let’s learn 20 essential Korean emotion words (감정 표현) and how to use them naturally!
💬 Why Learn Emotional Expressions?
✔ Helps you connect in everyday conversation
✔ Makes your Korean sound more real and human
✔ Great for journaling, messaging, or dating in Korean!
🧠 Key Grammar Tips
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Emotions often use 형용사 (adjective verbs) ending in -아요/-어요
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Subject usually marked with 저는, 기분이, or 마음이
❤️ 20 Useful Korean Emotion Words
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 기쁘다 | gippeuda | to be happy | 오늘 정말 기뻐요. (I’m really happy today.) |
| 슬프다 | seulpeuda | to be sad | 영화가 슬퍼요. (The movie is sad.) |
| 화나다 | hwanada | to be angry | 친구한테 화났어요. (I’m angry at a friend.) |
| 짜증나다 | jjajeungnada | to be annoyed | 너무 짜증나요! (So annoying!) |
| 우울하다 | uuulhada | to feel depressed | 요즘 우울해요. (I feel down lately.) |
| 신나다 | sinnada | to be excited | 여행 가서 신났어요. (I was excited on the trip.) |
| 무섭다 | museopda | to be scared | 밤에 혼자 있어서 무서웠어요. (I was scared alone at night.) |
| 놀라다 | nollada | to be surprised | 정말 놀랐어요! (I was so surprised!) |
| 긴장되다 | ginjangdoeda | to be nervous | 면접이라서 긴장돼요. (I’m nervous for my interview.) |
| 피곤하다 | pigonhada | to be tired | 너무 피곤해요. (I’m really tired.) |
| 지루하다 | jiruhada | to be bored | 집에만 있어서 지루해요. (I’m bored at home.) |
| 행복하다 | haengbokhada | to be joyful | 요즘 행복해요. (I feel happy these days.) |
| 외롭다 | oeropda | to feel lonely | 친구가 없어서 외로워요. (I feel lonely without friends.) |
| 부끄럽다 | bukkureopda | to be shy/embarrassed | 소개팅이 부끄러웠어요. (The blind date was awkward.) |
| 당황하다 | danghwanghada | to be flustered | 갑자기 물어봐서 당황했어요. (I got flustered from a sudden question.) |
| 만족하다 | manjokhada | to be satisfied | 결과에 만족해요. (I’m satisfied with the result.) |
| 걱정되다 | geokjeongdoeda | to be worried | 내일 날씨가 걱정돼요. (I’m worried about the weather.) |
| 창피하다 | changpihada | to feel embarrassed | 실수해서 창피했어요. (I felt embarrassed because I made a mistake.) |
| 설레다 | seolleda | to feel fluttery/excited | 첫 데이트라 설레요. (It’s my first date, I’m fluttery!) |
| 고맙다 / 감사하다 | gomapda / gamsahada | to be thankful | 도와줘서 고마워요. (Thanks for helping me.) |
🧩 Sentence Pattern
저는 [emotion adjective]요.
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저는 기뻐요. → I’m happy.
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저는 슬퍼요. → I’m sad.
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저는 피곤해요. → I’m tired.
Or use with 기분이 / 마음이:
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기분이 좋아요. → I feel good.
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마음이 편안해요. → My heart feels at ease.
💡 Practice Tips
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Start your day by saying “오늘 기분은 ___예요.” (Today I feel __.)
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Make flashcards with emojis 😄 😢 😡 😱
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Use a Korean diary or mood tracker 📓
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Practice dialogues:
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A: 기분이 어때요? (How do you feel?)
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B: 오늘은 행복해요! (I’m happy today!)
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👩🏫 Want to Talk About Your Feelings Naturally?
Let’s practice how to express your emotions clearly and confidently in Korean conversation.
I’ll help you sound natural and support your pronunciation.
👉 Book a class with me on italki:
https://www.italki.com/ko/teacher/7916559
Let’s speak Korean from the heart! 💗🗣️
