Expressing feelings

Say 기뻐요 (gippeoyo, "I'm glad") or 행복해요 (haengbokaeyo, "I'm happy"). For good news, try 정말 기뻐요 (jeongmal gippeoyo), and when enjoying your trip, 지금 너무 행복해요 (jigeum neomu haengbokaeyo, "I'm so happy right now"). 기분이 좋아요 (gibuni joayo, "I'm in a good mood") is also very common.

Say 슬퍼요 (seulpeoyo, "I'm sad"). When you're upset or hurt, 속상해요 (soksanghaeyo) is very common. If a drama made you cry, say 너무 슬퍼서 울었어요 (neomu seulpeoseo ureosseoyo, "It was so sad I cried"). To comfort someone, ask 괜찮아요? (gwaenchanayo, "Are you okay?").

Say 화나요 (hwanayo) or 화가 났어요 (hwaga nasseoyo, "I'm angry"). When annoyed, people say 짜증 나요 (jjajeung nayo), but it sounds a bit blunt, so it's mostly used with friends. To express dissatisfaction politely, 좀 불편해요 (jom bulpyeonhaeyo, "It's a little uncomfortable") is a safe choice.

Say 피곤해요 (pigonhaeyo, "I'm tired"). If you're exhausted, try 너무 피곤해요 or 힘들어요 (himdeureoyo, "It's tough" or "I'm worn out"). When sleepy, say 졸려요 (jollyeoyo). During a trip, 좀 쉬고 싶어요 (jom swigo sipeoyo, "I'd like to rest a bit") lets others know you need a break.

심심해요 (simsimhaeyo) means "I'm bored" because there's nothing to do. When a movie or class is dull, say 지루해요 (jiruhaeyo, "It's boring"). Texting a friend 심심해 (simsimhae) is often taken as a hint that you want to hang out together.

Say 무서워요 (museowoyo, "I'm scared" or "It's scary"). You'll hear it a lot with horror movies and amusement park rides. When you're worried, say 걱정돼요 (geokjeongdwaeyo), and when nervous, say 긴장돼요 (ginjangdwaeyo), for example before a performance or an interview.

설레요 (seolleyo) describes a fluttery, excited feeling of anticipation. You'd use it the night before a trip, before seeing your favorite artist in concert or when meeting someone you like. It's close to "excited" or "my heart is fluttering," with a sweet sense of anticipation.

부끄러워요 (bukkeureowoyo) means shy or bashful, while 창피해요 (changpihaeyo) means embarrassed, like losing face after a mistake in front of others. You'd say 부끄러워요 when someone praises you and 창피해요 if you tripped in public. Sometimes the two overlap, and both can describe that hot-faced feeling.

Say 보고 싶어요 (bogo sipeoyo), literally "I want to see you," which is how Koreans say "I miss you." It's used for family, friends and loved ones. With close people, say 보고 싶어 (bogo sipeo). Fans also commonly tell their favorite artists 보고 싶어요.

Say 놀랐어요 (nollasseoyo, "I was surprised"). If you were really startled, say 깜짝 놀랐어요 (kkamjjak nollasseoyo, "That gave me a fright"). For hard-to-believe news, react with 진짜요? (jinjjayo, "Really?") or 정말요? (jeongmallyo, "Is that true?"). Both are friendly ways to show interest in what someone says.

아쉬워요 (aswiwoyo) expresses a wistful, regretful feeling when something ends or falls a little short. On the last day of a trip, you might say 벌써 가야 해서 아쉬워요 (beolsseo gaya haeseo aswiwoyo, "It's a shame I have to leave already"). It has no exact English equivalent.

신나요 (sinnayo) means you're excited and having a blast, perfect for festivals, concerts or amusement parks. 재밌어요 (jaemisseoyo) means "It's fun." At the end of a great day, say 오늘 정말 재밌었어요 (oneul jeongmal jaemisseosseoyo, "Today was really fun"). Your hosts or friends will love hearing it.

답답해요 (dapdapaeyo) describes feeling stifled or frustrated, or a space that feels cramped and stuffy. It's used when communication isn't working or things aren't going well. Saying it directly to someone can sound like criticism, so use it carefully and describe the situation instead of the person.

Say 외로워요 (oerowoyo, "I'm lonely"). When traveling alone and feeling a little down, you can say 좀 쓸쓸해요 (jom sseulsseulhaeyo, "I feel a bit lonesome"). If you miss home, say 집이 그리워요 (jibi geuriwoyo, "I miss home"). Friends may respond by inviting you out or checking in on you more often.

Say 감동이에요 (gamdongieyo) or 감동받았어요 (gamdongbadasseoyo, "I was moved"). Use it when a performance, movie or someone's kindness touches your heart. If a friend gives you a small gift, 완전 감동이야 (wanjeon gamdongiya, "I'm so touched") conveys both thanks and joy.

For other people's feelings, Korean often adds -아/어하다. 슬퍼요 (seulpeoyo) describes your own sadness, but 친구가 슬퍼해요 (chinguga seulpeohaeyo) means "My friend is sad." The same goes for 무서워해요 (museowohaeyo) and 좋아해요 (joahaeyo). It reflects how Korean avoids asserting others' inner feelings directly.

Ask 기분 어때요? (gibun eottaeyo, "How are you feeling?"). If someone looks down, ask 괜찮아요? (gwaenchanayo, "Are you okay?") or 무슨 일 있어요? (museun il isseoyo, "Is something wrong?"). Answers might be 좋아요 (joayo, "Good") or 그냥 그래요 (geunyang geuraeyo, "So-so").

좋아해요 (joahaeyo) means "I like" and works for people, food and hobbies: 한국 음식을 좋아해요 (hanguk eumsigeul joahaeyo, "I like Korean food") or 이 노래 좋아해요 (i norae joahaeyo, "I like this song"). For love, say 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo), used with family, partners and between fans and artists.

어이없어요 (eoieopseoyo) means "That's absurd" or "I'm speechless," for situations so unexpected or unreasonable that you can't believe them. It's a fairly strong expression, so in formal settings or with superiors, the softer 좀 당황스러워요 (jom danghwangseureowoyo, "I'm a bit flustered") is better.

Koreans often soften emotional statements with 좀 (jom, a little), 조금 (jogeum, slightly) or -것 같아요 (-geot gatayo, "I think"). For example, 좀 피곤한 것 같아요 (jom pigonhan geot gatayo, "I think I'm a little tired") or 조금 서운했어요 (jogeum seounhaesseoyo, "I felt a bit hurt"). This makes your words easier for others to receive.