How to say how you feel in Korean
In Korean, a feeling word is usually a whole sentence on its own. 피곤해 is “I'm tired” — no “I”, no “am”.
Most feelings in Korean are descriptive verbs that can stand alone. 나 좀 피곤해 (na jom pigonhae), 추워 (chuwo) and 심심해 (simsimhae) are complete sentences, and the “I” is understood. Add the polite -요 for anyone you are not close to: 피곤해요, 추워요, 심심해요.
Koreans rarely state a feeling bare. 좀 (“a bit”) softens it — 좀 피곤해 sounds more natural than 피곤해 in most situations. 너무 and 진짜 boost it. 너무 used to mean “too much” and only went with bad things; now 너무 좋아 (“I love it”) is completely normal.
There is one grammar point to know early. These words describe your own feelings. To talk about someone else’s, Korean adds -어하다: 친구가 심심해해요, “my friend is bored”. Saying 친구가 심심해요 sounds as if you can feel their boredom from the inside.
Korean also hedges a lot. 인 것 같아 (in geot gata) (-는 것 같아) turns a flat statement into “I think” or “it seems”, and you will hear it constantly — even about your own feelings. 별로야 (byeolloya) with 별로 is the polite way to say no to something without saying no.
The 14 phrases on this page
Hear it in a real conversation
Two friends catching up after work. Press play on any line to hear it.
- A 오늘 어땠어?oneul eottaesseo?How was today?
- B 좀 피곤해. 일이 너무 많아서 스트레스 받아.jom pigonhae. iri neomu manaseo seuteureseu bada.I'm a bit tired. There's so much work, I'm stressed.
- A 아이고, 고생했다. 주말에 뭐 하고 싶어?aigo, gosaenghaetda. jumare mwo hago sipeo?Aw, you've had a long day. What do you want to do this weekend?
- B 그냥 집에서 자고 싶어.geunyang jibeseo jago sipeo.I just want to sleep at home.
- A 그래, 그게 제일 좋은 것 같아.geurae, geuge jeil joeun geot gata.Yeah, I think that's best.
- B 너랑 얘기하니까 좀 낫다. 다행이야.neorang yaegihanikka jom natda. dahaengiya.Talking to you helps. What a relief.
How to say “I'm so excited” in Korean
너무 신나
neomu sinna
Literally: I'm so thrilled.
For excitement you feel RIGHT NOW. English uses 'excited' for both now and later — Korean splits it in two, and this is the trip-up point for most learners.
Polite form
- 너무 신나요neomu sinnayoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 완전 기대돼wanjeon gidaedwae= I can't waitFor something that HASN'T happened yet. This is the half English speakers forget.
- 정말 기대돼요jeongmal gidaedwaeyo= I'm really looking forward to itPolite version of the 'can't wait' side.
In a sentence
- 오늘 하루 비어서 너무 신나.oneul haru bieoseo neomu sinna.I'm so excited to have a free day today.
- 내일 콘서트 완전 기대돼.naeil konseoteu wanjeon gidaedwae.I can't wait for the concert tomorrow.
How to say “I am so glad I did it” in Korean
하길 잘했다
hagil jalhaetda
Literally: Doing it was well done.
An ending rather than a phrase. Attach 길 잘했다 to any verb stem and it becomes I am glad I did that. One pattern, endless sentences.
Polite form
- 하길 잘했어요hagil jalhaesseoyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 가져오길 잘했다gajyeoogil jalhaetda= I am glad I brought thisThe line from the video. 가져오다 (bring) plus the same ending.
- 오길 잘했다ogil jalhaetda= I am glad I cameTwo syllables and the ending. Say it at the end of a good evening.
- 안 사길 잘했다an sagil jalhaetda= I am glad I did not buy itPut 안 in front of the verb and it flips to relief at not doing it.
In a sentence
- 이거 사길 잘했다.igeo sagil jalhaetda.I am glad I bought this.
- 일찍 나오길 잘했어요.iljjik naogil jalhaesseoyo.I am glad I left early.
How to say “What a relief” in Korean
다행이에요
dahaeng-i-eyo
Literally: It is good fortune.
One word where English needs a whole sentence. Koreans say it when something could have gone badly and didn't — a test result, a late friend who finally arrived, a scratch that turned out to be nothing. It is not thanks and it is not luck. It is the breath you let out afterwards.
Where you hear it
My Mister (나의 아저씨) · tvN D ENT
아는 척 할 수 있게 돼서 다행이에요
I'm glad we can say hello when we run into each other.
She says it about something small on purpose — being able to greet him in public. That is exactly how the word is used: for the small thing that turned out all right.
Polite form
- 다행이에요dahaeng-i-eyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 다행이다dahaeng-ida= What a reliefCasual. Say it to yourself or to a friend. This is the form you will hear most in dramas.
- 천만다행이야cheonman-dahaeng-iya= Thank goodness, really천만 is ten million. It stacks onto the same word when the relief is big.
- 다행히dahaeng-hi= FortunatelyThe adverb. Put it at the front of a sentence: 다행히 안 늦었어 — fortunately I wasn't late.
In a sentence
- 안 다쳐서 다행이야.an dachyeoseo dahaeng-iya.I'm glad you weren't hurt.
- 비가 그쳐서 다행이에요.biga geuchyeoseo dahaeng-i-eyo.What a relief, the rain stopped.
- 늦지 않아서 다행이다.neutji anaseo dahaeng-ida.Good thing I wasn't late.
How to say “I'm kind of tired” in Korean
나 좀 피곤해
na jom pigonhae
Literally: I'm a bit tired.
좀 is the Korean softener. Drop it into almost any sentence and it becomes 'kind of', 'a little', 'sort of'. It is one of the most useful words in the language.
Polite form
- 좀 피곤해요jom pigonhaeyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 이거 좀 비싸igeo jom bissa= This is kind of expensiveSame 좀, different sentence. That's all there is to it.
- 좀 그래jom geurae= It's... kind of iffy좀 + 그래 = a polite way to say you don't like something.
In a sentence
- 나 좀 피곤해서 오늘은 쉴게.na jom pigonhaeseo oneureun swilge.I'm kind of tired so I'll rest today.
- 여기 좀 시끄럽지 않아?yeogi jom sikkeureopji ana?Isn't it kind of loud here?
How people answer
- 오늘 일찍 자.oneul iljjik ja.= Go to bed early tonight.
How to say “I am sleepy” in Korean
졸려
jollyeo
Literally: I am drowsy.
Sleepy right now, eyes closing. Not the same as 피곤해, which is worn out - you can be exhausted without being sleepy, and Korean keeps the two apart.
Polite form
- 졸려요jollyeoyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 피곤해pigonhae= I am tiredWorn out rather than drowsy.
- 자고 싶어jago sipeo= I want to sleepThe -고 싶어 ending is want to. Attach it to any verb.
- 잘래jallae= I am going to bedAnnouncing it, casually.
In a sentence
- 아침이라 아직 졸려.achimira ajik jollyeo.It is morning so I am still sleepy.
- 커피 마셔도 졸려요.keopi masyeodo jollyeoyo.I am sleepy even after coffee.
How people answer
- 그럼 좀 자.geureom jom ja.= Then get some sleep.
How to say “I am cold” in Korean
추워
chuwo
Literally: It is cold.
Korean makes no distinction between I am cold and it is cold - one word covers both. But there is a separate word for a cold object, which is the trap below.
Polite form
- 추워요chuwoyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 차가워chagawo= It is cold to the touchFor things you touch - water, hands, metal. Never for weather. Saying 차가워 about winter is the classic learner slip.
- 더워deowo= It is hotThe opposite, and it follows the same rule - 뜨거워 is for hot objects.
- 쌀쌀해ssalssalhae= It is chillyAutumn weather, a light jacket rather than a coat.
In a sentence
- 밖에 너무 추워.bakke neomu chuwo.It is so cold outside.
- 손이 차가워요.soni chagawoyo.Your hands are cold.
How people answer
- 창문 닫을까?changmun dadeulkka?= Shall I close the window?-ㄹ까? offers to do something.
How to say “I am bored” in Korean
심심해
simsimhae
Literally: I am bored.
Nothing to do and restless with it. Different from 지겨워, which is boredom from doing the same thing over and over - 심심해 is having nothing to do at all.
Polite form
- 심심해요simsimhaeyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 할 거 없어hal geo eopseo= There is nothing to doLiterally there is nothing to do. Often said right after 심심해.
- 노잼nojaem= Not funSlang - 노 (no) plus 재미 (fun). Young people say it about films, lessons and parties. The opposite is 꿀잼.
In a sentence
- 아, 심심해. 뭐 하지?a, simsimhae. mwo haji?Ugh, I am bored. What should I do?
- 주말인데 할 거 없어.jumarinde hal geo eopseo.It is the weekend and there is nothing to do.
How people answer
- 영화 볼래?yeonghwa bollae?= Want to watch a movie?-ㄹ래? asks what someone wants to do.
How to say “I am sick of it” in Korean
지겨워
jigyeowo
Literally: It is tiresome.
Boredom from repetition - the same food, the same job, the same argument. Different from 피곤해 (physically tired).
Polite form
- 지겨워요jigyeowoyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 질렸어jillyeosseo= I have had my fill of itSpecifically for food or a thing you overdid.
- 귀찮아gwichana= I cannot be botheredNot boredom - this is the one for when something feels like too much effort. Enormously common.
In a sentence
- 매일 같은 일이라서 지겨워.maeil gateun iriraseo jigyeowo.It is the same thing every day, I am sick of it.
- 아, 귀찮아. 내일 할래.a, gwichana. naeil hallae.Ugh, I cannot be bothered. I will do it tomorrow.
How to say “I am stressed” in Korean
스트레스 받아
seuteureseu bada
Literally: I receive stress.
In Korean you do not be stressed - you receive it. Stress is a thing that comes at you from outside, and the grammar says so.
Polite form
- 스트레스 받아요seuteureseu badayoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 진짜 머리 아파jinjja meori apa= It is doing my head inLiterally my head really hurts. For one specific thing driving you mad.
- 짜증 나jjajeung na= It is irritatingAnnoyance rather than pressure. Also built as something that arises, not something you are.
In a sentence
- 요즘 스트레스 받아.yojeum seuteureseu bada.I have been stressed lately.
- 일 때문에 스트레스 받아요.il ttaemune seuteureseu badayo.I am stressed because of work.
How people answer
- 많이 힘들어?mani himdeureo?= Is it really hard right now?
How to say “I don't like it” in Korean
별로야
byeolloya
Literally: It's not much.
Koreans rarely say 싫어 (I hate it) about small things. 별로 is the polite-ish way to say not great, and it does most of the work English does with meh.
Polite form
- 별로예요byeolloyeyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 싫어sireo= I don't like it / noStronger and more direct. Fine with close friends, blunt otherwise.
- 그냥 그래geunyang geurae= It's so-soThe softest option. Literally it's just like that.
In a sentence
- 맛이 별로야.masi byeolloya.It doesn't taste great.
- 그 영화 어땠어? 그냥 그랬어.geu yeonghwa eottaesseo? geunyang geuraesseo.How was that film? It was so-so.
How to say “That's too bad” in Korean
아쉽다
aswipda
Literally: It's regrettable.
Not sympathy for a disaster - this is the small regret that something good did not happen or is ending. A holiday finishing, a friend leaving early.
Polite form
- 아쉽네요aswimneyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 안타깝다antakkapda= That's a shameHeavier, for someone else's genuine misfortune. News reports use it.
- 어떡해eotteokae= Oh no, what do we doThe reaction when something has actually gone wrong. Extremely common.
In a sentence
- 벌써 가? 아쉽다.beolsseo ga? aswipda.You're going already? That's a shame.
- 비가 와서 아쉽네요.biga waseo aswimneyo.It's a pity it's raining.
How to say “I miss you” in Korean
보고 싶어
bogo sipeo
Literally: I want to see you.
Korean expresses missing someone as wanting to SEE them. The same phrase covers I miss you and I want to see you.
Polite form
- 보고 싶어요bogo sipeoyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 많이 보고 싶었어mani bogo sipeosseo= I missed you a lotPast tense - for when you finally meet again.
- 그리워geuriwo= I long for itFor places, times and people who are gone. Heavier and more literary.
In a sentence
- 엄마가 보고 싶어.eommaga bogo sipeo.I miss my mom.
- 한국 음식이 그리워.hanguk eumsigi geuriwo.I miss Korean food.
How people answer
- 나도 보고 싶어.nado bogo sipeo.= I miss you too.Same pattern: 나도 in front.
How to say “I feel like” in Korean
인 것 같아
in geot gata
Literally: It seems to be.
English puts I feel like at the front. Korean puts it at the very end, after the whole thought. Get that order right and your sentences stop sounding translated.
Polite form
- 인 것 같아요in geot gatayoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 그런 것 같아geureon geot gata= I think soA soft yes. Koreans hedge far more than English speakers, and this is the workhorse for it.
- 아닌 것 같아anin geot gata= I do not think soA soft no. Much gentler than 아니야.
In a sentence
- 요즘 좀 괜찮아진 것 같아.yojeum jom gwaenchanajin geot gata.I feel like things are calming down lately.
- 비 올 것 같아요.bi ol geot gatayo.I feel like it is going to rain.
How to say “I want to” in Korean
하고 싶어
hago sipeo
Literally: Want to do.
Attach 고 싶어 to any verb stem and you have want to. One ending, endless sentences - this is one of the highest-value patterns in beginner Korean.
Polite form
- 하고 싶어요hago sipeoyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 먹고 싶어meokgo sipeo= I want to eat먹다 (eat) plus the same ending.
- 가고 싶어gago sipeo= I want to go가다 (go) plus the same ending.
- 하고 싶지 않아hago sipji ana= I don't want toAdd 지 않아 to negate it.
In a sentence
- 한국에 가고 싶어요.hanguge gago sipeoyo.I want to go to Korea.
- 오늘은 쉬고 싶어.oneureun swigo sipeo.I want to rest today.
Mistakes learners make
- 지루해 when you mean “I have nothing to do”심심해 is bored because nothing is happening. 지루해 is bored because something is tedious — a lecture, a long film. On a slow Sunday, you are 심심해.
- 피곤해 and 졸려 as the same word피곤해 is tired, worn out. 졸려 is sleepy, eyes closing. You can be 피곤해 at 3 p.m. and not 졸려 at all.
- Stating someone else’s feeling directly친구가 슬퍼요 sounds odd. Use 친구가 슬퍼해요 — “my friend is acting sad” — because you can only see their feeling from the outside.
Practise these. Every phrase here is in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes, and see the speech levels guide for when to use the polite forms.