부담스럽다

When something feels like a burden, whether it's a task, a responsibility, or even a gift that creates an obligation, Koreans often use the adjective 부담스럽다 (budamseureopda). It describes the feeling of being burdened, or something that is burdensome, and can be translated as feeling pressured, overwhelmed, or even uncomfortable due to an implied obligation.

It's commonly used in situations where you might feel uncomfortable receiving something expensive, or when a request feels like too much to handle. For example, if someone gives you a very lavish gift, you might say "선물이 너무 부담스러워요" (Seonmuri neomu budamseureowoyo), meaning "The gift is too burdensome/I feel burdened by the gift." Or, if a task is too demanding, you could say "이 일은 저에게 너무 부담스러워요" (I ireun jeoege neomu budamseureowoyo), meaning "This work is too burdensome for me."

It’s important to understand that 부담스럽다 often carries a nuance of emotional burden or pressure, not just physical weight. It’s about the feeling of obligation or discomfort that something creates.

You can also use it to describe a situation that puts pressure on someone. For instance, if you're worried about asking a friend for a big favor, you might think "친구에게 부담을 주고 싶지 않아" (Chinguege budameul jugo sipji ana), meaning "I don't want to burden my friend."