😌 Expressing Regret or Relief in Korean: 다행이다, 아쉽다, 섭섭하다
Have you ever wanted to say “What a relief!” or “That’s too bad…” in Korean? 😢
These emotional expressions are essential for sounding natural and connecting with Korean speakers on a deeper level.
In this post, we’ll dive into three must-know words: 다행이다 (what a relief), 아쉽다 (what a pity), and 섭섭하다 (I feel let down).
🎯 Why This Matters
Understanding how to express regret or relief is not just about vocabulary—it’s about sounding human and empathetic in conversations.
These words appear often in K-dramas, Korean conversations, and even news reports. Let's break them down one by one.
💨 다행이다 – “What a Relief”
Meaning: Used when something bad could have happened, but didn’t.
Usage: Often expresses relief, gratitude, or fortunate outcomes.
- 비가 안 와서 다행이에요.
Bi-ga an waseo da-haeng-i-e-yo
It’s a relief it didn’t rain. - 큰 사고가 아니라서 정말 다행이야.
Keun sa-go-ga aniraseo jeong-mal da-haeng-i-ya
I’m so relieved it wasn’t a big accident. - 너무 걱정했는데 결과가 좋아서 다행이야.
Neo-mu geok-jeong-haet-neunde gyeol-gwa-ga jo-a-seo da-haeng-i-ya
I was worried, but I’m glad it turned out well.
😔 아쉽다 – “That’s Too Bad / I Wish…”
Meaning: Used when something didn’t happen the way you wanted—regret over a missed opportunity or situation.
- 시간이 없어서 아쉬워요.
Si-gan-i eop-seo-seo a-swi-wo-yo
It’s a pity we don’t have time. - 벌써 끝나다니 아쉬워.
Beol-sseo kkeut-na-da-ni a-swi-wo
I’m sad it’s already over. - 맛있었는데 더 못 먹어서 아쉬워요.
Mat-it-sseot-neunde deo mot meog-eo-seo a-swi-wo-yo
The food was good, but I wish I could’ve eaten more.
😢 섭섭하다 – “I Feel Disappointed / Let Down”
Meaning: A deeper emotional let-down, often because of people or expectations.
Can express hurt feelings, especially from people you’re close to.
- 그 말을 듣고 섭섭했어요.
Geu mal-eul deut-go seop-seop-haet-seo-yo
I felt hurt hearing that. - 인사도 없이 가서 섭섭했어.
In-sa-do eop-si ga-seo seop-seop-haet-seo
You left without saying goodbye, and I felt disappointed. - 기대했는데 안 와서 좀 섭섭했어요.
Gi-dae-haet-neunde an wa-seo jom seop-seop-haet-seo-yo
I was hoping you'd come, so I felt a bit let down.
🧠 Quick Comparison Table
| Expression | Emotion | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 다행이다 | Relief | Something bad didn’t happen |
| 아쉽다 | Mild regret | Missed chance, sad it ended |
| 섭섭하다 | Deeper disappointment | Let down by people or situation |
📢 Conversation Practice
A: 시험 결과 나왔대. 떨어졌어... 😞
B: 아... 아쉽다. 그래도 많이 노력했잖아!
A: 응, 다행히 면접은 볼 수 있대.
B: 오, 그거 다행이다! 힘내!
💡 Did You Know?
In Korean culture, expressing empathy through shared emotional words like “아쉽다” or “섭섭하다” strengthens social bonds.
Unlike English where direct words like “I’m mad” or “I’m sad” are common, Korean tends to imply emotions indirectly, often in the form of situational regret or relief.
💬 Practice with Me on italki!
Want to practice these expressions with a real Korean speaker?
You can book a personalized Korean lesson with me on italki.
Whether you're a beginner or intermediate learner, I’ll help you speak naturally and confidently.
Feel free to ask questions, review grammar points, or just have a casual chat in Korean. See you in class! 😊
💌 Final Thoughts
Words like 다행이다, 아쉽다, and 섭섭하다 help you connect on a human level.
You're doing great! 😊
