괜히
괜히 en 30 segundos
- Used to express regret for an action that felt like a waste of time.
- Describes feelings like sadness or nervousness that happen without a clear cause.
- Often implies the speaker wishes they hadn't done something ('I shouldn't have...').
- Different from '그냥' because '괜히' usually has a negative or regretful nuance.
The Korean adverb 괜히 (Gwaen-hi) is a multifaceted word that primarily translates to "for no reason," "in vain," or "uselessly." However, its emotional weight in Korean conversation is much heavier than a simple dictionary definition suggests. It often carries a strong sense of regret or pointlessness regarding a past action or a current state of mind. When a Korean speaker says "괜히 했어" (I shouldn't have done it), they aren't just saying it was unnecessary; they are expressing a sigh of frustration that the effort resulted in nothing or, worse, a negative outcome.
- The Nuance of Regret
- This is the most common usage. It describes doing something that you later wish you hadn't, because the result was disappointing or the effort was wasted.
- Groundless Emotion
- It describes feeling an emotion (like sadness, anger, or nervousness) without a specific external trigger. You just feel that way 'for no reason.'
- Fruitless Effort
- Used when you put in work expecting a result, but the outcome was nil, making the effort feel 'hollow' or 'empty.'
아까 그 말을 괜히 했나 봐요.
괜히 바쁜 척하지 마세요.
- Empty Appearance
- Sometimes '괜히' describes a situation that looks like something but has no substance behind it, like being 'unnecessarily' grand.
Grammatically, 괜히 is an adverb, which means it typically sits before a verb or an adjective. Its placement is quite flexible, but it usually emphasizes the word immediately following it. Because it carries an inherent sense of 'uselessness,' it is frequently paired with past tense verbs to express hindsight regret.
- Regret Pattern: 괜히 + Verb + -았다/었다
- This is the 'I shouldn't have' structure. Example: '괜히 샀어' (I shouldn't have bought it / I bought it for nothing).
- Emotional State: 괜히 + Adjective
- Used to describe a feeling that arises without cause. Example: '괜히 슬퍼요' (I feel sad for no reason).
비가 오는데 괜히 세차를 했어요.
In more advanced usage, '괜히' can be used with the connective ending '-어/아서' to show that the 'useless' reason led to a certain result. For example, '괜히 긴장해서 실수를 했어요' (I got nervous for no reason and made a mistake).
괜히 걱정하지 마세요. 다 잘 될 거예요.
- With Negative Commands
- Often used with '-지 마세요' (don't) to tell someone their current state of mind is unnecessary or groundless.
You will hear 괜히 in almost every Korean drama or variety show where a character experiences a 'face-palm' moment. It is the quintessential word for the 'buyer's remorse' or 'social awkwardness' that defines modern daily life.
“아, 괜히 왔다.”
In shopping contexts, Koreans use it when they realize they bought something they don't need. In relationships, it's used when someone picks a fight and then regrets it. It's also very common in internal monologues. If you are walking down the street and suddenly feel a wave of embarrassment about something you did three years ago, that is a '괜히' moment.
- At the Workplace
- '괜히 일만 늘었네요' (The work just increased for no reason/uselessly) — used when a mistake leads to extra work.
- In Friendships
- '괜히 화내서 미안해' (I'm sorry for getting angry for no reason).
The most frequent mistake English speakers make is confusing 괜히 with 그냥 (Geunyang). While both can be translated as "just" or "for no reason," their emotional colors are completely different.
- Mistake: Using 괜히 for 'Just Because'
- If someone asks why you are eating an apple and you say '괜히 먹어요,' it sounds like you regret eating the apple or that eating it is a waste of time. If you just feel like eating it, use '그냥 먹어요.'
- Mistake: Using 괜히 for 'Accidentally'
- '괜히' implies an intentional action that turned out to be useless. If you dropped a glass by accident, you wouldn't use '괜히.' You would use '실수로' (by mistake).
Wrong: 괜히 한국어를 공부해요. (Unless you hate studying it!)
Right: 그냥 한국어를 공부해요. (I study it just because/for fun.)
Depending on the level of formality and the specific type of 'uselessness' you want to convey, there are several alternatives to 괜히.
- 쓸데없이 (Sseulde-eopsi)
- Literally 'without a place to use.' It is more aggressive than '괜히.' It implies something is completely unnecessary and bothersome. '쓸데없이 참견하지 마세요' (Don't interfere uselessly/Don't stick your nose in).
- 무익하게 (Mu-ik-hage)
- A formal, academic term meaning 'unprofitably' or 'without benefit.' Used in writing or formal speeches.
- 부질없이 (Bujil-eopsi)
- A poetic or literary word meaning 'vainly' or 'futilely.' Often used when talking about life, dreams, or passing time.
How Formal Is It?
Dato curioso
Because it comes from the word for 'empty,' using '괜히' literally means you are doing something into an empty void where no reason exists.
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing '괜' as 'Gwan' instead of 'Gwaen'.
- Dropping the 'h' sound in 'hi' making it sound like 'Gwae-ni'.
- Over-emphasizing the 'g' like a hard English 'G' in 'Go'.
- Making the 'ae' sound too long like 'ay' in 'play'.
- Confusing the spelling with '개니'.
Nivel de dificultad
Easy to recognize in text once learned.
Requires understanding of nuance to use instead of '그냥'.
Natural placement in a sentence takes practice.
Very common in spoken Korean; easy to hear.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
Adverb placement
괜히 (adverb) + 먹었다 (verb)
The -나 보다 ending for realization
괜히 샀나 봐요.
The -ㄹ걸 그랬다 ending for regret
괜히 했을걸 그랬다 (Wait, usually '안 할걸 그랬다' is used with '괜히').
The -어/아서 causal link
괜히 바빠서 전화를 못 했어요.
The -지 마세요 negative command
괜히 걱정하지 마세요.
Ejemplos por nivel
괜히 슬퍼요.
I feel sad for no reason.
괜히 + adjective
괜히 웃음이 나요.
I'm laughing for no reason.
괜히 + noun + verb
괜히 바빠요.
I'm busy for no reason.
괜히 + adjective
괜히 졸려요.
I'm sleepy for no reason.
괜히 + adjective
괜히 배고파요.
I'm hungry for no reason.
괜히 + adjective
괜히 신나요.
I'm excited for no reason.
괜히 + adjective
괜히 피곤해요.
I'm tired for no reason.
괜히 + adjective
괜히 떨려요.
I'm nervous for no reason.
괜히 + verb
괜히 샀어요.
I shouldn't have bought it.
Past tense verb showing regret.
괜히 말했어요.
I shouldn't have said that.
Regret about speech.
괜히 왔어요.
I shouldn't have come.
Regret about location/action.
괜히 먹었어요.
I shouldn't have eaten that.
Regret about eating.
괜히 기다렸어요.
I waited for nothing.
Useless effort.
괜히 걱정했어요.
I worried for nothing.
Unnecessary emotion.
괜히 전화했어요.
I shouldn't have called.
Regret about communication.
괜히 나갔어요.
I shouldn't have gone out.
Regret about an action.
괜히 고집을 부렸어요.
I was stubborn for no reason.
괜히 + idiom/phrase
괜히 긴장해서 실수했어요.
I got nervous for no reason and made a mistake.
Connective -아서/어서
괜히 옷을 얇게 입고 왔나 봐요.
I think I wore too thin clothes for no reason (I'm cold).
-나 봐요 (guess/realization)
괜히 심술을 부리고 싶을 때가 있어요.
There are times when I want to be grumpy for no reason.
-ㄹ 때가 있다
괜히 아는 척하다가 망신당했어요.
I pretended to know for no reason and got embarrassed.
-다가 (interruption/result)
괜히 기대했다가 실망만 했어요.
I expected something for no reason and only got disappointed.
Contrastive result.
괜히 화를 내서 미안해요.
I'm sorry for getting angry for no reason.
Apologizing for '괜히' actions.
괜히 머리만 아프네요.
It just gives me a headache for no reason.
Resulting state.
괜히 헛수고만 한 것 같아요.
I feel like I just made a vain effort for no reason.
괜히 + 헛수고 (vain effort)
괜히 남의 일에 참견하지 마세요.
Don't interfere in other people's business for no reason.
Negative command.
괜히 긁어 부스럼 만들지 마.
Don't make trouble for no reason (Let sleeping dogs lie).
Idiomatic expression.
그 사람은 괜히 허세를 부려요.
That person puts on airs for no reason.
Describing personality/behavior.
괜히 마음만 조급해지네요.
My heart is just getting impatient for no reason.
-어/아지다 (becoming state)
괜히 분위기만 어색해졌어요.
The atmosphere just became awkward for no reason.
Situational description.
괜히 비싼 돈 주고 샀나 봐요.
I think I spent a lot of money on this for nothing.
Complex regret.
괜히 자존심을 세우다가 일을 그르쳤어요.
I ruined things by being stubborn about my pride for no reason.
-다가 (causality)
괜히 부질없는 욕심을 부렸나 봅니다.
It seems I harbored vain greed for no reason.
Literary/Reflective tone.
괜히 사람들의 이목을 끌 필요는 없어요.
There's no need to attract people's attention for no reason.
Formal advice.
괜히 마음 한구석이 허전해집니다.
A corner of my heart feels empty for no reason.
Abstract emotion.
괜히 뜬구름 잡는 소리 하지 마세요.
Don't talk about catching floating clouds for no reason (Don't talk nonsense).
Idiomatic usage.
괜히 옥에 티를 찾으려 애쓰지 마세요.
Don't try to find a flaw in the jade for no reason (Don't nitpick).
Metaphorical usage.
괜히 지나간 일에 연연해하지 마세요.
Don't cling to past events for no reason.
Psychological advice.
괜히 엄한 사람 잡지 마세요.
Don't blame the wrong person for no reason.
Specific idiom (엄한 사람 잡다).
괜히 제풀에 지쳐 포기하고 말았어요.
I ended up giving up after getting exhausted by my own doing for no reason.
Complex reflexive idiom (제풀에 지치다).
괜히 무위로 돌아간 노력에 회의감이 듭니다.
I feel skeptical about the efforts that returned to nothingness for no reason.
Highly formal/philosophical.
괜히 사서 고생한다는 말이 딱 맞네요.
The saying 'buying trouble for no reason' fits perfectly.
Proverbial usage.
괜히 감상에 젖어 밤을 지새웠습니다.
I stayed up all night soaked in sentimentality for no reason.
Poetic/Literary.
괜히 시시비비를 가리려다 관계만 나빠졌어요.
Trying to distinguish right from wrong for no reason only ruined the relationship.
Four-character idiom (시시비비).
괜히 천우신조를 바라는 것은 어리석은 일입니다.
It is foolish to hope for divine help for no reason (without effort).
Archaic/Academic tone.
괜히 격식에 얽매일 필요는 없다고 봅니다.
I believe there's no need to be bound by formalities for no reason.
Professional opinion.
괜히 공염불에 그치지 않도록 주의해야 합니다.
We must be careful so that it doesn't end up as a 'hollow Buddhist prayer' (empty talk) for no reason.
Buddhist-derived idiom.
괜히 사족을 달아서 문장의 본뜻을 흐렸군요.
You added a 'snake's foot' (redundancy) for no reason and blurred the main meaning of the sentence.
Classical Chinese idiom (사족).
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— I shouldn't have done that. Used to express general regret about a past action.
아, 괜히 그랬어. 그냥 가만히 있을걸.
— I'm not just saying this for no reason. Used to emphasize the truth of a statement.
이거 진짜 맛있어. 괜히 하는 말이 아니야.
— To blame or trouble an innocent person for no reason.
왜 괜히 사람 잡고 그래요? 전 아무것도 몰라요.
— It just gives me a headache for no reason (too complicated or useless).
그 문제는 생각하지 마. 괜히 머리만 아파.
— To get one's hopes up for no reason (and be disappointed).
괜히 기대했다가 실망만 했네.
— To pretend to know something for no reason (and fail).
모르면 가만히 있지, 왜 괜히 아는 척했어?
— To show off or put on airs for no reason.
저 사람은 괜히 폼만 잡고 실력은 없어요.
— To ruin the mood for no reason.
좋은 분위기에 괜히 찬물 끼얹지 마세요.
— To suffer or work hard for no reason.
길을 잘못 들어서 괜히 고생했어요.
— To be scared for no reason.
별거 아니니까 괜히 겁먹지 마.
Se confunde a menudo con
'그냥' is neutral (just because), '괜히' is emotional/regretful (for no good reason).
'무심코' means 'carelessly' or 'without thinking,' whereas '괜히' implies the action itself was pointless.
'실수로' is an accident; '괜히' is an intentional act that turned out to be a bad idea.
Modismos y expresiones
— To scratch a healthy spot and make it a sore. Meaning to cause trouble unnecessarily.
가만히 있으면 될 걸 괜히 긁어 부스럼 만들었네.
Informal— To step on a hollow bridge/spot. Meaning to make a wrong guess or useless effort.
범인을 잡으려다 괜히 헛다리만 짚었어요.
Informal— To 'buy' suffering for no reason. Meaning to do something unnecessary that causes hardship.
그 일을 왜 맡았어? 괜히 사서 고생하네.
Neutral— To get tired by one's own energy/doing. Meaning to exhaust oneself unnecessarily.
상대방은 가만히 있는데 괜히 제풀에 지쳐 포기했어요.
Neutral— To catch/blame a completely unrelated person.
범인은 따로 있는데 왜 괜히 엄한 사람을 잡아요?
Neutral— To try to catch floating clouds. Meaning to pursue unrealistic or hollow goals.
괜히 뜬구름 잡는 소리 말고 현실을 봐.
Informal— To look for a flaw in jade. Meaning to nitpick or find unnecessary faults.
완벽한 작품인데 괜히 옥에 티를 찾으려 하네요.
Formal— To pour cold water on something for no reason. Meaning to spoil a good mood or plan.
다들 즐거워하는데 괜히 찬물 끼얹지 마.
Informal— To tell people where to put persimmons or pears at someone else's feast. Meaning to interfere unnecessarily.
내 일이니까 괜히 남의 잔치에 감 놔라 배 놔라 하지 마세요.
Informal— To recite a hollow Buddhist prayer. Meaning to make empty promises or useless talk.
실천하지 않으면 그 계획은 괜히 공염불이 될 뿐이다.
FormalFácil de confundir
Both translate to 'just' in English.
'그냥' is for lack of a specific reason without judgment. '괜히' implies the reason was insufficient or the action was a waste.
그냥 했어요 (I just did it). 괜히 했어요 (I shouldn't have done it).
Both mean 'uselessly.'
'쓸데없이' is more critical and focuses on the lack of utility. '괜히' is more about the speaker's feeling of regret.
쓸데없이 참견 마 (Stop meddling). 괜히 참견했어 (I regret meddling).
Both can involve doing something one doesn't really want to do.
'억지로' means doing something against one's will or by force. '괜히' means doing it voluntarily but for no good reason.
억지로 먹었어요 (I was forced to eat). 괜히 먹었어요 (I ate it for no reason and regret it).
Sometimes 'for no reason' feels 'sudden.'
'갑자기' is about timing. '괜히' is about the lack of cause/purpose.
갑자기 울었어요 (Suddenly cried). 괜히 울었어요 (Cried for no reason/regret it).
Both involve intent.
'일부러' is 'on purpose' (with a goal). '괜히' is 'for no reason' (without a productive goal).
일부러 늦었어요 (I was late on purpose). 괜히 늦었어요 (I'm late for no reason/I shouldn't have been late).
Patrones de oraciones
괜히 + Adjective-어요
괜히 슬퍼요.
괜히 + Verb-았/었어요
괜히 샀어요.
괜히 + Verb-어/아서 + Result
괜히 긴장해서 실수했어요.
괜히 + Verb-ㄴ/은 것 같다
괜히 말한 것 같아요.
괜히 + Verb-지 마세요
괜히 걱정하지 마세요.
괜히 + Idiom
괜히 긁어 부스럼 만들지 마세요.
괜히 + Noun + -만 + Verb
괜히 고생만 했네요.
괜히 + 사서 고생이다
그 일은 괜히 사서 고생하는 꼴이에요.
Familia de palabras
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Extremely high in daily conversation.
-
Using '괜히' for neutral 'just because'.
→
그냥 했어요.
'괜히' implies the action was a mistake or useless.
-
Using '괜히' as an adjective.
→
괜한 걱정이에요.
'괜히' is an adverb. Use '괜한' to modify a noun.
-
Using '괜히' for accidental actions.
→
실수로 깼어요.
'괜히' implies you did it on purpose but it was a bad idea.
-
Misspelling as '개니'.
→
괜히
The spelling is '괜히' (Gwaen-hi).
-
Using '괜히' with positive results.
→
운 좋게 됐어요.
'괜히' usually leads to a negative or useless outcome.
Consejos
Expressing Regret
When you regret a purchase, say '괜히 샀어.' It's the most natural way to express buyer's remorse.
Social Softener
Use '괜히' when you feel awkward in a social situation to explain your behavior: '괜히 긴장해서요...'
Word Order
Keep '괜히' right before the verb it describes for the clearest meaning.
Synonym Choice
Choose '쓸데없이' if you are annoyed, but '괜히' if you are just regretful or confused.
Tone Matters
A long '괜~히' adds more emphasis to the feeling of regret.
Nuance in Essays
Use '공연히' in formal essays to describe unnecessary social conflicts.
Drama Context
If a character says '괜히...' and stops, they are usually feeling guilty or embarrassed.
The 'Hollow' Connection
Remember that it comes from 'empty.' Your action was 'empty' of meaning.
Don't confuse with '그냥'
If there's no regret, just use '그냥'.
Idiomatic Power
Learn '괜히 긁어 부스럼' to sound like a pro when someone is making unnecessary trouble.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Imagine a 'Gwaen' (sounds like 'Gwen') who is 'Hi' (waving hi) for NO REASON at a stranger. Gwen felt awkward and regretted it immediately.
Asociación visual
Picture a person standing in the rain holding an umbrella that has a huge hole in it. They are holding it '괜히' (uselessly).
Word Web
Desafío
Try to use '괜히' three times today: once for a small regret, once for a random feeling, and once to tell someone not to worry.
Origen de la palabra
The word '괜히' is the adverbial form of the adjective '괜하다'. '괜하다' itself is a contraction of '공(空)하다' (to be empty) combined with the suffix '-안하다'.
Significado original: Originally implied something that is 'empty' or 'hollow,' lacking substance or a real reason.
Koreanic (Sino-Korean influence from 'Gong' meaning empty).Contexto cultural
It is a safe word to use in almost all contexts, but avoid using it to describe someone else's hard work unless you mean to be critical.
English speakers often say 'I shouldn't have' or 'for nothing.' '괜히' covers both of these bases in one word.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Shopping
- 괜히 샀어요.
- 괜히 비싼 걸 골랐네요.
- 괜히 쇼핑하러 왔어.
- 괜히 돈만 썼네.
Socializing
- 괜히 말했나 봐요.
- 괜히 왔어요.
- 괜히 아는 척했어요.
- 괜히 끼어들었어.
Emotions
- 괜히 슬퍼요.
- 괜히 짜증 나요.
- 괜히 설레요.
- 괜히 불안해요.
Work
- 괜히 일을 벌였어요.
- 괜히 야근했네요.
- 괜히 긴장했어요.
- 괜히 혼났어.
Health
- 괜히 많이 먹었어.
- 괜히 밤샜다.
- 괜히 운동했나 봐, 몸살 났어.
- 괜히 약 먹었나?
Inicios de conversación
"오늘 괜히 기분이 좀 그런데, 왜 그럴까요?"
"쇼핑하고 나서 괜히 샀다고 후회한 적 있어요?"
"괜히 걱정했는데 막상 해보니 쉬웠던 일 있어요?"
"친구한테 괜히 심술부렸다가 미안해진 적 있어요?"
"어제 괜히 늦게 자서 오늘 너무 피곤해요."
Temas para diario
오늘 하루 중 '괜히 했다'고 생각되는 일이 있다면 써보세요.
아무 이유 없이 (괜히) 기분이 좋거나 나빴던 순간을 묘사해보세요.
괜히 걱정했던 일이 사실은 별거 아니었던 경험에 대해 써보세요.
남의 일에 괜히 참견했다가 곤란했던 적이 있나요?
괜히 기대했다가 실망했던 영화나 책이 있었나요?
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasRarely. It almost always carries a nuance of regret, futility, or groundless emotion. However, you can say '괜히 기분이 좋다' (I feel good for no reason), which is positive but still implies the feeling came out of nowhere.
It's not rude, but if you tell someone '괜히 했어요' about something they did for you, it sounds like you are dismissing their effort. Be careful with other people's actions.
'공연히' is the formal, written version. You will see it in newspapers or books. In daily speech, 99% of people use '괜히'.
No, it's an adverb and needs a verb or adjective. However, in very casual speech, you might mutter '아, 괜히...' and trail off, with the verb implied.
The most common way is '괜히 + [Verb] + -았/었나 봐요' or '괜히 + [Verb] + -았/었어요'.
Etymologically, yes. But in modern usage, it means 'groundlessly' or 'pointlessly'.
Yes. '왜 괜히 그래?' means 'Why are you acting like that for no reason?'
Yes, it is a standard Korean word used across the peninsula.
No, it modifies verbs and adjectives. To modify a noun, you would use '괜한' (e.g., 괜한 걱정 - unnecessary worry).
No, '괜히' is already a short, common word.
Ponte a prueba 185 preguntas
Translate to Korean: 'I shouldn't have said that.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Korean: 'I feel sad for no reason.'
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Translate to Korean: 'Don't worry for no reason.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I bought this for nothing (I regret it).'
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Translate to Korean: 'I shouldn't have come here.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I waited for nothing.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I got nervous for no reason and made a mistake.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I'm sorry for getting angry for no reason.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I think I shouldn't have eaten so much.'
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Translate to Korean: 'Don't interfere for no reason.'
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Translate to Korean: 'It just gives me a headache for no reason.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I was stubborn for no reason.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I expected something for nothing.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I stayed up late for no reason.'
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Translate to Korean: 'Don't make trouble unnecessarily (idiom).'
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Translate to Korean: 'He is showing off for no reason.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I feel like I wasted my time for no reason.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I feel embarrassed for no reason.'
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Translate to Korean: 'It's raining, and I washed my car for nothing.'
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Translate to Korean: 'I shouldn't have called him.'
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Say 'I shouldn't have bought it' in Korean.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Express that you feel sad for no reason.
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Dijiste:
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Tell someone not to worry for no reason.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I shouldn't have come' with a sigh.
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Dijiste:
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Apologize for being angry for no reason.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I shouldn't have said that' to a friend.
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Dijiste:
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Tell someone not to pretend to know everything.
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Dijiste:
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Express that you waited in vain.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I shouldn't have eaten so much.'
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Dijiste:
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Say 'It just gives me a headache.'
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Dijiste:
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Tell someone 'Don't ruin the mood.'
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I shouldn't have worn thin clothes.'
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I feel nervous for no reason.'
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Dijiste:
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Tell someone 'Don't meddle in others' business.'
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I think I shouldn't have done that.'
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I shouldn't have expected anything.'
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I feel guilty (poked) for no reason.'
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Dijiste:
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Use the 'scratch a sore' idiom to tell someone to stop causing trouble.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I shouldn't have stayed up late.'
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I shouldn't have called.'
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Listen to the speaker: '아, 괜히 샀어.' What is the speaker's emotion?
Listen: '괜히 걱정했네요.' Did something bad happen?
Listen: '괜히 슬퍼요.' Does the speaker know why they are sad?
Listen: '괜히 왔어.' Is the speaker having fun?
Listen: '괜히 화내서 미안해.' What is the speaker doing?
Listen: '괜히 기대했네.' Is the speaker happy or disappointed?
Listen: '괜히 말했나 봐.' Does the speaker wish they kept a secret?
Listen: '괜히 긴장했어.' Was the task difficult?
Listen: '괜히 긁어 부스럼 만들지 마.' Is this advice or a command?
Listen: '괜히 찔리네.' Does the speaker feel innocent?
Listen: '괜히 바쁘기만 했어요.' Was the speaker productive?
Listen: '괜히 사람 잡지 마세요.' Is the speaker being accused?
Listen: '괜히 웃음이 나요.' Is the speaker in a bad mood?
Listen: '괜히 시간만 버렸어.' How does the speaker feel about their time?
Listen: '괜히 헛수고했네요.' Was the effort successful?
/ 185 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Think of '괜히' as the 'regretful just.' While '그냥' is a neutral 'just because,' '괜히' implies 'just because... and now I feel stupid/bad about it.' Example: '괜히 샀어' (I shouldn't have bought it).
- Used to express regret for an action that felt like a waste of time.
- Describes feelings like sadness or nervousness that happen without a clear cause.
- Often implies the speaker wishes they hadn't done something ('I shouldn't have...').
- Different from '그냥' because '괜히' usually has a negative or regretful nuance.
Expressing Regret
When you regret a purchase, say '괜히 샀어.' It's the most natural way to express buyer's remorse.
Social Softener
Use '괜히' when you feel awkward in a social situation to explain your behavior: '괜히 긴장해서요...'
Word Order
Keep '괜히' right before the verb it describes for the clearest meaning.
Synonym Choice
Choose '쓸데없이' if you are annoyed, but '괜히' if you are just regretful or confused.
Ejemplo
괜히 걱정했어요.
Contenido relacionado
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Gramática relacionada
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de general
몇몇
A2Algunos; unos pocos.
조금
A1Dame un poco de agua, por favor. (물 조금만 주세요.)
적게
A1Poco, en pequeña cantidad. Se usa para describir una acción realizada de manera limitada.
약간
A2Un poco; ligeramente. Se usa para describir una pequeña cantidad o un grado leve.
많이
A1Mucho / Muy. 'Comí mucho' (많이 먹었어요). 'Te extraño mucho' (많이 보고 싶어요).
잠시
A2Por un momento; brevemente. 'Por favor, espere un momento.' (잠시만 기다려 주세요.) 'Volveré en un momento.' (잠시 후에 돌아오겠습니다.)
잠깐
A2For a short time; a moment.
아까
A2Hace un rato, antes. Lo vi hace un rato en la cafetería.
대해
A2Significa 'sobre' o 'acerca de'. Se usa para introducir el tema de una conversación, pensamiento o estudio.
~에 대해서
A2Sobre; acerca de; respecto a.