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How to Say “I’m sad” in Korean: 슬퍼요 (seulpeoyo)

슬퍼요

seulpeoyo

Situation: Feelings & cheeringLevel: Starter (just learning Hangul)

Meaning

I’m sad.

Usage note

슬프다 means “sad.” 마음이 아파요 (“my heart hurts”) is also commonly used.

Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.

Practical guide

When to use it

A plain way to say “I’m sad”, for a movie, a farewell or bad news. Strengthen it with 너무: 너무 슬퍼요 (“I’m so sad”).

Watch out

When you are hurt or upset about something that happened to you, 속상해요 (“I’m upset / it hurts”) is often the more natural choice.

In a conversation

  1. 슬퍼요 seulpeoyo
    I’m sad.
  2. 힘내세요! himnaeseyo!
    Cheer up! Hang in there!

How to pronounce it

Syllables: 3 · Words: 1

It is pronounced just as it is written.

SyllableLetters (consonant + vowel + final)Romanization
슬ㅅㅡㄹseul
퍼ㅍㅓpeo
요ㅇㅛyo

A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.

Speech style

Style: Polite (해요체)Sentence type: Statement or set phrase

Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.

Quick self-check

Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.

Question 1 What does “슬퍼요” mean?

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Answer: I’m sad

Question 2 How do you say “I’m sad” in Korean?

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Answer: 슬퍼요 seulpeoyo

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