11 Untranslatable Korean Words

안녕하세요 리더님! Koreanstudyjunkie에서 Junie입니다.

In this lesson, I’ll introduce to you Korean words that don’t have a proper or 1 to 1 translation.

These words are often still given a translation that is as close as it can get, but still isn’t quite the right feeling the word means to give off.

정 (Jeong / 情)

Feeling: A deep, almost invisible emotional bond built over time — warm, loyal, and enduring.

Context:Forms between friends, family, co-workers, even pets or objects that have shared your life.

Why untranslatable:Words like “affection” or “attachment” miss the layered sense ofloyal emotional residue that remains even through hurt or distance.

2. 한 (Han / 恨)

Feeling: A deep current of sorrow, longing, or resentment mixed with strength and perseverance.

Context:Describes personal or collective grief — a pain one learns to live with rather than erase.

Why untranslatable:It’s not just sadness; it’s emotional endurance and history woven into identity.

3. 수고하다

Feeling: Warm recognition of someone’s effort, labor, or perseverance — a blend of gratitude and empathy.

Context:Common after work, helping someone, or finishing a task — “Thanks for your hard work.”

Why untranslatable: English has no natural way to thank someonefor the effort itself,not just the result.

4. 서운하다

Feeling: A soft, aching disappointment toward someone you care about.

Context:Used when a friend forgets you, doesn’t invite you, or acts distant — not enough to anger you, but enough to sting.

Why untranslatable: “Sad” and “hurt” lack the tenderness and emotional nuance of seounhada.

5. 귀찮다

Feeling: A gentle annoyance mixed with laziness or reluctance — not angry, just unwilling.

Context:When you’re asked to do something you could easily do, but every cell resists.

Why untranslatable:It’s not “annoying” or “bothersome” — it’sthe art of mild, endearing apathy.

6. 아쉽다

Feeling: Bittersweet regret or the sense that something good ended too soon.

Context:Used when saying goodbye, missing an event, or losing a small opportunity.

Why untranslatable:“Regret” feels too harsh —ashipdalives in that soft space between sadness and nostalgia.

7. 민망하다

Feeling: Awkward embarrassment mixed with pity or secondhand discomfort.

Context:Used when someone does something cringe-worthy, or when you feel bad watching it.

Why untranslatable:It’s not just being embarrassed — it’sempathetic awkwardnessthat makes you squirm kindly.

8. 끼

Feeling: Natural charisma or performative flair — a kind of energy that draws attention effortlessly.

Context:Describes entertainers, artists, or expressive people with innate spark.

Why untranslatable:“Charm” or “talent” don’t quite capture the instinctive, magnetic presence ofkki.

9. 시원하다

Feeling: Refreshing relief — both physically cool and emotionally freeing.

Context:Used for cold drinks, a breeze, or venting after holding something in.

Why untranslatable: Combines coolness + release + satisfaction into one complete sensory-emotional word.

10. 흉허물없다

Feeling: Deep, barrier-free comfort between people — total lack of pretense or awkwardness.

Context:Used for close relationships where you can be fully yourself — open, honest, and comfortable.

Why untranslatable:English might say “no walls between us,” buthyunghumureopdaimplies emotional transparency built on trust and time.

11. 여유

Feeling: A sense of relaxed spaciousness — both in time and in mind.

Context:Describes having mental room to breathe, being unhurried, or maintaining calm even amid chaos.

Why untranslatable:“Leisure” or “relaxation” lack thephilosophical poise and inner calmthatyeoyuexpresses.

That’s it for today’s post!

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