😊 Korean Emotions & Feelings: 60+ Words + Patterns to Say “I feel …” (TOPIK 1–2)
😊 60+ Korean Emotions & Feelings: The Ultimate Vocabulary Vault
Express every shade of your heart with our categorized masterlist and native grammar patterns.
To truly speak a language is to share your heart. While simple words get you started, a **60+ vocabulary set** allows you to navigate complex social situations, professional feedback, and deep personal connections. This vault categorizes emotions by their energy and nuance, providing you with the exact word for any moment.
✨ 1. The Light Side: Positive & Uplifting
| Korean (Polite) | Meaning | Korean (Polite) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 기뻐요 | Glad / Joyful | 즐거워요 | Enjoyable |
| 신나요 | Excited | 반가워요 | Happy to see you |
| 뿌듯해요 | Proud (satisfaction) | 자랑스러워요 | Proud (achievement) |
| 행복해요 | Happy (deep state) | 감동적이에요 | Moving / Touching |
| 편안해요 | Comfortable | 상쾌해요 | Refreshed |
| 설레요 | Fluttery / Heart-flutter | 기대돼요 | Looking forward to |
| 만족해요 | Satisfied | 든든해요 | Feel reassured |
| 감사해요 | Grateful | 사랑스러워요 | Lovely |
| 다행이에요 | Relieved | 유쾌해요 | Pleasant / Cheerful |
| 평화로워요 | Peaceful | 따뜻해요 | Heartwarming |
🌑 2. The Dark Side: Negative & Stressful
| Korean (Polite) | Meaning | Korean (Polite) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 슬퍼요 | Sad | 속상해요 | Upset / Heart-hurt |
| 화가 나요 | Angry | 짜증나요 | Annoyed |
| 무서워요 | Scared | 두려워요 | Fearful (deep) |
| 걱정돼요 | Worried | 불안해요 | Anxious |
| 괴로워요 | In pain / Agony | 답답해요 | Frustrated / Suffocated |
| 외로워요 | Lonely | 그리워요 | Longing for / Miss |
| 서운해요 | Disappointed / Hurt | 실망했어요 | Disappointed (event) |
| 우울해요 | Depressed / Blue | 비참해요 | Miserable |
| 부끄러워요 | Shy / Ashamed | 창피해요 | Embarrassed (shame) |
| 민망해요 | Awkward / Embarrassed | 당황스러워요 | Flustered |
| 귀찮아요 | Bothersome / Lazy | 지루해요 | Bored (situation) |
| 심심해요 | Bored (no task) | 억울해요 | Feel wronged |
| 얄밉다 | Annoying / Spiteful | 밉다 | To hate / Detest |
🔋 3. Energy & Bodily Sensations
| Korean (Polite) | Meaning | Korean (Polite) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 피곤해요 | Tired | 졸려요 | Sleepy |
| 힘들어요 | Exhausted / Hard | 지쳐요 | Worn out |
| 기운 없어요 | Lacking energy | 나른해요 | Drowsy / Languid |
| 긴장돼요 | Nervous | 떨려요 | Trembling / Shaking |
| 어지러워요 | Dizzy | 메스꺼워요 | Nauseous |
| 개운해요 | Refreshed (after bath) | 홀가분해요 | Lighthearted / Free |
| 배고파요 | Hungry | 배불러요 | Full |
| 목말라요 | Thirsty | 숨이 차다 | Out of breath |
🧠 4. Deep Dive: Body-Based Emotion Idioms
In Korea, we often use body parts to describe psychological states. This adds a "visual" layer to your speech.
• 가슴이 벅차다 (Ga-seum-i beok-cha-da): Chest is overflowing. Use this for overwhelming joy or pride.
• 속이 시원하다 (Sok-i si-won-ha-da): Inside feels cool. Use this when a problem is solved or you've said something you've held back.
• 낯이 뜨겁다 (Nach-i tteu-geop-da): Face is hot. Use this for intense embarrassment.
• 배가 아프다 (Bae-ga a-peu-da): Stomach hurts. A common idiom for being jealous of someone else's success.
👩🏫 Teacher Hoon's Expert Insight
Don't just memorize the words; master the -아요/어요 conjugation. Most emotion words are adjectives, so they take the present polite form in daily talk. For a truly native touch, add "정말" (really) or "너무" (too/very) to show the intensity of your feeling!
🚀 Unlock Your Emotional Fluency
We've covered 60+ words, but the secret is in the nuance. Let's practice which word fits your specific story 1:1! Book an "Emotional Mastery" session with Hoon on italki today.
Master Emotions with HoonExpressing emotions is vital for survival in Korea. Explore our complete roadmap for local living:
Ultimate Guide to Living in Korea 2026Updated: December 24, 2025 | Part of the "Mastering Daily Korean" Series.
