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A2 verb #2,000 सबसे आम 10 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

무서워하다

शीर्ष 2,000

At the A1 level, you learn the most basic way to express fear using the adjective '무섭다' (to be scary). However, '무서워하다' is introduced to help you talk about what other people are feeling. At this stage, you should focus on the simple pattern: [Person] + [Object] + 을/를 + 무서워해요. For example, '제 친구는 개를 무서워해요' (My friend is scared of dogs). You don't need to worry about complex nuances yet. Just remember that when you talk about your friend, your mom, or a cat, you use '무서워하다' instead of '무섭다'. This helps you build simple sentences about people's likes and dislikes, or their fears. It's a 'doing' word for fear. Think of it as 'acting scared' of something. Practice by listing things your family members are afraid of.

At the A2 level, you begin to understand the grammatical difference between adjectives and verbs more clearly. You learn that '무서워하다' is a verb because of the '-어하다' suffix. This suffix is very important in Korean because it turns a feeling (adjective) into an observable action (verb). You should now be comfortable using '무서워하다' with the object marker '-을/를' consistently. You will also start using it in different tenses, like the past tense '무서워했어요' (was scared) and the negative form '무서워하지 않아요' (is not scared). You might use it to describe common phobias or to explain why someone is acting a certain way. For example, '동생이 혼자 있는 것을 무서워해서 제가 같이 있어요' (My sibling is scared of being alone, so I am with them). This level is about connecting the emotion to a reason.

At the B1 level, you use '무서워하다' in more complex sentence structures, such as those involving reasons, conditions, and intentions. You can use connectors like '-니까' (because), '-면' (if), and '-는데' (but/and). You also start to distinguish '무서워하다' from more formal words like '두려워하다'. You might use '무서워하다' to describe social situations, such as being scared of a strict boss or a difficult presentation. You should also be able to use the progressive form '-고 있다' to describe someone who is currently experiencing fear. For example, '아이들이 영화를 보면서 무서워하고 있어요' (The children are being scared while watching the movie). At this stage, you are expected to use the word naturally in conversation to describe various levels of anxiety and fright in daily life.

At the B2 level, you understand the psychological and social nuances of '무서워하다'. You can use it to discuss broader topics, such as why certain groups of people fear specific social changes or economic situations. You also learn how to use it in quoted speech and indirect discourse, such as '그는 자기가 실패할까 봐 무서워한다고 말했어요' (He said he is afraid that he might fail). You can compare '무서워하다' with other nuanced verbs like '겁내다' (to be timid) or '경외하다' (to be in awe/fear). You should be able to write short essays or give presentations about common human fears, using '무서워하다' as a primary verb to describe human reactions. You also become more aware of how this verb is used in literature and media to build tension or characterize individuals.

At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated command of '무서워하다' and its related forms. You can use it to analyze character motivations in literature or film, discussing how a character's tendency to '무서워하다' certain things drives the plot. You understand the historical and cultural context of fear in Korea, such as traditional fears of specific spirits or social taboos. You can use the word in highly formal contexts, such as psychological reports or academic discussions about phobias, while still maintaining the correct grammatical distinction from '무섭다'. You are also proficient in using idiomatic expressions that involve fear and can explain the subtle differences in tone when '무서워하다' is replaced by more literary terms like '경구하다' or '외경하다'. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of register and context.

At the C2 level, you master the absolute nuances of '무서워하다' within the entire Korean lexicon. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'fearing' (무서워하는 것) versus 'being scary' (무서운 것) in existentialist terms. You can manipulate the word for stylistic effect in creative writing, using it to evoke specific emotional responses in the reader. You understand how the word has evolved over time and its relationship to other emotive verbs in the Altaic language family. You can engage in high-level debates about public policy regarding 'public fear' (대중이 무서워하는 것) and suggest solutions using precise terminology. At this level, '무서워하다' is just one tool in a vast arsenal of emotional descriptors that you use with perfect precision, flair, and cultural awareness.

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

무서워하다 30 सेकंड में

A verb meaning 'to be scared of' or 'to fear'.
Used with the object marker 을/를 for the thing being feared.
Essential for describing the emotions of a third person (he, she, they).
Derived from the adjective 무섭다 (to be scary).

The Korean verb 무서워하다 is a fundamental word used to describe the emotional state of being afraid, scared, or frightened. While it is often translated simply as 'to be scared,' its grammatical function is distinct from its adjective counterpart, 무섭다. In Korean linguistics, 무서워하다 is an auxiliary-derived verb formed by adding the suffix -어하다 to the adjective stem. This transformation is crucial because it allows the speaker to describe the outward expression of an emotion or the feelings of a third person. When you see a child crying because of a loud noise, or a friend recoiling from a spider, you are witnessing them 무서워하다. It implies an active state of feeling fear directed toward a specific object or situation.

Core Concept: The active manifestation of fear or the act of fearing a specific target.
Grammatical Category: Transitive Verb (타동사), requiring an object marked by 을/를.

제 동생은 강아지를 정말 무서워하다 (My younger sibling is really scared of puppies).

To understand this word deeply, one must look at the psychological nuance it carries. In Korean culture, expressing internal states directly is often reserved for the first person ('I'). When we talk about others, we use verbs like 무서워하다 to indicate that we are observing their fear. It bridges the gap between the internal feeling and the external observation. If you say '개는 무서워요,' you are saying 'The dog is scary' (a quality of the dog). If you say '아이가 개를 무서워해요,' you are saying 'The child fears the dog' (an action/state of the child). This distinction is a cornerstone of natural Korean speech and is one of the first major hurdles for A2 learners transitioning into more complex sentence structures.

사람들은 어둠을 무서워하는 경향이 있다 (People tend to fear the darkness).

Transitivity: Requires a direct object: [Object] + 을/를 + 무서워하다.

Furthermore, 무서워하다 covers a wide spectrum of fear. It can range from a mild phobia of insects to a deep-seated existential dread. In literature, it is used to describe characters facing supernatural entities or daunting challenges. In daily life, it is most frequently heard when discussing common fears like heights (고소공포증), ghosts (귀신), or even strict teachers. The word carries an inherent vulnerability; to admit someone 무서워하다 something is to acknowledge their sensitivity to that specific stimulus. It is more than just a reaction; it is a descriptive state of their current psychological interaction with the world around them.

그는 실패를 무서워하지 않아요 (He is not afraid of failure).

고양이가 물을 무서워해요 (The cat is afraid of water).

Synonym Hint: Similar to 두려워하다, but 무서워하다 is more common for physical or immediate threats.

아이들이 천둥소리를 무서워하고 있어요 (The children are being scared of the thunder sound).

Using 무서워하다 correctly involves understanding the shift from 'adjective' logic to 'verb' logic. In many languages, 'to be afraid' is a single concept, but in Korean, the distinction between a state (adjective) and an action/observed emotion (verb) is vital. When you use 무서워하다, you are essentially treating 'fear' as an action that the subject is performing toward an object. This is why the object marker -을/를 is mandatory. For example, if you want to say 'Minjun is afraid of ghosts,' you must say '민준이는 귀신을 무서워해요.' Using the subject marker '이' here would be a common beginner mistake.

Sentence Pattern: [Subject] + [Object]을/를 + 무서워하다

우리 아기는 낯선 사람을 무서워해요 (Our baby is scared of strangers).

Another key usage rule involves the person of the subject. In standard Korean, you generally do not use adjectives like 무섭다 to describe the feelings of a third person in a declarative sentence. Instead, you must use the -어하다 form. So, while you can say '나는 무서워요' (I am scared), you should say '그는 무서워해요' (He is scared). This verb acts as a bridge that allows the speaker to describe someone else's internal state based on their external behavior. It is a sign of linguistic politeness and accuracy, acknowledging that you cannot truly 'know' another's heart, only 'observe' their reaction.

학생들이 시험을 너무 무서워하지 않았으면 좋겠어요 (I hope the students don't fear the exam too much).

Tense Conjugation: Present: 무서워해요 | Past: 무서워했어요 | Future: 무서워할 거예요

In terms of register, 무서워하다 is versatile. It is used in formal reports ('피해자는 가해자를 무서워하고 있습니다'), casual conversations ('너 아직도 벌레 무서워해?'), and literary contexts. When used with the progressive form -고 있다, it emphasizes that the person is currently in the middle of a fearful episode. For instance, '무서워하고 있어요' suggests the person is visibly trembling or showing signs of fear right now. This verb is also frequently used in the negative form 무서워하지 않다 or 안 무서워하다 to describe bravery or lack of concern.

동생이 혼자 자는 것을 무서워해서 불을 켜두었어요 (My sibling is scared of sleeping alone, so I left the light on).

그녀는 높은 곳을 전혀 무서워하지 않아요 (She is not afraid of high places at all).

Common Objects: 벌레 (bugs), 귀신 (ghosts), 치과 (dentist), 주사 (injections), 밤 (night).

왜 그렇게 나를 무서워해요? (Why are you so scared of me?)

You will encounter 무서워하다 in a variety of real-world scenarios in Korea. One of the most common places is in family dynamics. Parents often use this verb to describe their children's fears to doctors, teachers, or other relatives. For example, a mother might say, '우리 애가 치과를 너무 무서워해서 걱정이에요' (I'm worried because my child is so scared of the dentist). In this context, the word conveys a sense of protective concern. It's also a staple in school settings, where students talk about strict teachers or upcoming difficult exams. You might hear a student whisper, '나 수학 선생님 정말 무서워해' (I'm really scared of the math teacher).

Daily Conversation: Talking about phobias, strict people, or frightening experiences.

제 친구는 공포 영화를 무서워해서 못 봐요 (My friend can't watch horror movies because they are scared of them).

In the world of Korean entertainment, specifically K-Dramas and Variety Shows, this verb is used constantly. In variety shows like 'Running Man' or 'Knowing Bros,' cast members often tease each other about their fears. If a cast member is hesitant to perform a bungee jump, others will shout, '무서워하지 마!' (Don't be scared!) or comment, '광수가 진짜 무서워하고 있네요' (Kwang-soo is really being scared right now). In dramas, it's used in emotional scenes where a character confesses a deep-seated fear, often adding a layer of vulnerability to their persona. The verb helps the audience empathize with the character's visible distress.

강아지가 천둥 소리를 무서워하며 구석에 숨었어요 (The puppy hid in the corner, being scared of the thunder sound).

News & Media: Reporting on public fears regarding economic shifts or social issues.

Social media and vlogs are also rich sources for this word. YouTubers often use it in titles to attract viewers, such as '귀신을 무서워하는 친구를 속여보았습니다' (I tried to prank a friend who is scared of ghosts). In comments sections, fans might use it to describe their reaction to a thriller movie or a tense game moment. Because it describes a universal human emotion, 무서워하다 is one of those high-frequency verbs that bridges the gap between formal written Korean and the dynamic, expressive language used in digital spaces. Understanding its usage in these contexts helps learners sound more natural and less like a textbook.

많은 사람들이 변화를 무서워하지만 도전해야 합니다 (Many people fear change, but they must take the challenge).

그는 겉으로는 강해 보이지만 속으로는 실패를 무서워하고 있어요 (He looks strong on the outside, but inside he is fearing failure).

The most frequent mistake learners make with 무서워하다 is confusing it with the adjective 무섭다. In English, 'to be scared' can cover both 'The movie is scary' and 'I am scared of the movie.' However, in Korean, these are strictly separated. If you say '영화를 무서워요,' it is grammatically incorrect because 무섭다 is an adjective and cannot take an object. Conversely, saying '영화가 무서워해요' is also wrong because it implies the movie itself is feeling fear. Remember: 무섭다 describes the *source* of fear (The movie is scary), while 무서워하다 describes the *person* feeling the fear (I fear the movie).

Mistake 1: Wrong Particles: Incorrect: 거미가 무서워해요. Correct: 거미를 무서워해요.

틀린 예: 저는 귀신이 무서워해요. (X) -> 저는 귀신을 무서워해요. (O)

Another common error involves the subject-person rule. Beginners often use 무섭다 to describe a third person's feelings, which sounds unnatural or even incorrect in many contexts. For example, '민수는 개가 무서워요' is technically possible but often implies 'To Minsu, the dog is scary.' However, the standard way to describe Minsu's ongoing fear is '민수는 개를 무서워해요.' This is a subtle nuance that separates intermediate learners from beginners. The -어하다 ending is specifically designed to turn internal adjectives into observable verbs, and failing to use it for others' emotions is a hallmark of 'foreign-sounding' Korean.

틀린 예: 동생이 벌레가 무서워요. (X/Unnatural) -> 동생이 벌레를 무서워해요. (O)

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Scary' and 'Scared': Scary (Quality) = 무섭다 | Scared (Action/Feeling) = 무서워하다.

Lastly, learners sometimes over-apply 무서워하다 to inanimate objects. You cannot say a building '무서워해요' the wind. Only sentient beings (humans and animals) can 무서워하다 because it describes a psychological state. Additionally, don't confuse it with 무섭게 하다 (to make someone scared/to frighten). If you want to say 'You scared me!', you would use '깜짝 놀라게 했어요' or '무섭게 했어요,' not 무서워했어요. Mastering these distinctions will significantly improve your grammatical accuracy and help you express complex emotions more clearly.

틀린 예: 그 영화가 나를 무서워했어요. (X) -> 그 영화가 나를 무섭게 했어요. (O)

틀린 예: 나는 귀신이 무서워해요. (X) -> 나는 귀신을 무서워해요. (O)

While 무서워하다 is the most common way to express fear, Korean has several other words that cover similar emotional ground, each with its own nuance. The most prominent alternative is 두려워하다. While often used interchangeably, 두려워하다 tends to be more formal and is frequently used for abstract or future-oriented fears, such as the fear of failure, the fear of death, or the fear of the unknown. In contrast, 무서워하다 is more visceral and often used for immediate, physical threats like a big dog or a dark alleyway.

무서워하다 vs 두려워하다: 무서워하다: Physical, immediate, instinctive fear. | 두려워하다: Abstract, psychological, long-term fear.

그는 미래를 두려워하고 있어요 (He is fearing the future - more formal/abstract).

Another related term is 겁내다. This word specifically implies 'to be timid' or 'to act like a coward' in the face of something. While 무서워하다 describes the emotion, 겁내다 often focuses on the lack of courage. For example, if someone is afraid to try a new food, you might say '겁내지 말고 먹어봐' (Don't be a chicken/afraid, try it). It is often used in a slightly more critical or encouraging way than the neutral 무서워하다. Then there is 놀라다, which means 'to be surprised' or 'to be startled.' While fear and surprise often go together, 놀라다 is a sudden reaction, whereas 무서워하다 can be a sustained state.

어려운 일이라고 해서 너무 겁내지 마세요 (Don't be so afraid/timid just because it's a difficult task).

Related Vocabulary: 공포 (horror/terror), 전율하다 (to tremble with fear), 경외하다 (to be in awe/fearful respect).

Finally, we have 섬뜩하다 and 오싹하다, which are adjectives describing the 'chills' or 'creepy' feeling one gets. These are often used as the *reason* why someone 무서워하다. For instance, '분위기가 오싹해서 무서워요' (The atmosphere is creepy, so I'm scared). Understanding these synonyms and related adjectives allows you to paint a much more detailed picture of emotional experiences in Korean. Instead of just saying you are 'scared,' you can specify if you are 'timid' (겁내다), 'existentially fearful' (두려워하다), or 'startled' (놀라다).

갑작스러운 소리에 깜짝 놀랐어요 (I was startled by the sudden noise).

그는 누구보다도 죽음을 두려워했습니다 (He feared death more than anyone).

How Formal Is It?

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स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

제 친구는 개를 무서워해요.

My friend is scared of dogs.

Subject (Friend) + Object (Dog) + 을 + 무서워해요.

동생은 벌레를 무서워해요.

My younger sibling is scared of bugs.

Use '무서워하다' for 3rd person subjects.

고양이가 물을 무서워해요.

The cat is scared of water.

Animals can also be the subject of 무서워하다.

아이들이 귀신을 무서워해요.

Children are scared of ghosts.

Plural subjects still follow the same pattern.

누나는 치과를 무서워해요.

My older sister is scared of the dentist.

Places can be the object of fear.

그는 밤을 무서워해요.

He is scared of the night.

Time or abstract concepts can be objects.

우리는 선생님을 무서워해요.

We are scared of the teacher.

People can be the object of fear.

민수는 주사를 무서워해요.

Minsu is scared of injections.

Specific items are marked with 을/를.

동생이 혼자 자는 것을 무서워해요.

My sibling is scared of sleeping alone.

-는 것 turns a verb phrase into an object.

그녀는 높은 곳을 전혀 무서워하지 않아요.

She is not afraid of high places at all.

Negative form: 무서워하지 않다.

왜 그렇게 나를 무서워해요?

Why are you so scared of me?

Interrogative form with '왜' (why).

강아지가 천둥 소리를 무서워해서 숨었어요.

The puppy was scared of the thunder, so it hid.

-어서/아서 connector for reasons.

학생들이 시험을 너무 무서워하지 않았으면 좋겠어요.

I hope the students aren't too scared of the exam.

-았/었으면 좋겠다 expresses a wish.

그는 실패를 무서워하지 않고 도전했어요.

He challenged himself without fearing failure.

-지 않고 means 'without doing'.

아이들이 영화 속 괴물을 무서워하고 있어요.

The children are being scared of the monster in the movie.

-고 있다 for ongoing action/state.

어릴 때는 어둠을 정말 무서워했어요.

When I was young, I was really scared of the dark.

Past tense: 무서워했어요.

사람들이 변화를 무서워하는 것은 당연한 일이에요.

It is natural for people to fear change.

-는 것 clause as a subject.

그녀가 왜 그렇게 벌레를 무서워하는지 모르겠어요.

I don't know why she fears bugs so much.

-는지 모르다 (don't know why/if).

무서워하지 말고 천천히 말해 보세요.

Don't be scared and try to speak slowly.

-지 말고 (don't do X, but do Y).

누구나 처음에는 낯선 환경을 무서워하기 마련이에요.

Anyone is bound to fear a strange environment at first.

-기 마련이다 (bound to happen).

그는 겉으로는 웃고 있지만 속으로는 무서워하고 있을 거예요.

He might be smiling on the outside, but he's probably scared inside.

-을 거예요 (supposition/future).

아이들이 선생님의 꾸중을 무서워해서 숙제를 다 했어요.

The children did all their homework because they feared the teacher's scolding.

Noun + 을/를 + 무서워하다.

그 영화를 보면 누구나 무서워할 수밖에 없어요.

Anyone who watches that movie can't help but be scared.

-을 수밖에 없다 (can't help but).

그는 남의 시선을 너무 무서워하는 경향이 있어요.

He tends to fear the gaze of others too much.

-는 경향이 있다 (tend to).

현대인들은 고립되는 것을 무엇보다 무서워합니다.

Modern people fear being isolated more than anything.

Formal ending -습니다.

실패를 무서워하는 마음이 성장을 가로막을 수 있습니다.

A heart that fears failure can block growth.

-는 마음 (a heart/mind that...).

그는 자신이 잊혀지는 것을 가장 무서워한다고 고백했어요.

He confessed that he fears being forgotten the most.

Indirect quotation -다고 고백하다.

아이들이 전쟁의 공포를 무서워하지 않는 세상이 오길 바랍니다.

I hope for a world where children do not fear the horror of war.

Noun phrase object: 전쟁의 공포.

많은 투자자들이 시장의 불확실성을 무서워하며 투자를 망설이고 있습니다.

Many investors are fearing market uncertainty and hesitating to invest.

-며 (while/and).

그녀는 부모님이 실망하실까 봐 성적표를 보여드리는 것을 무서워해요.

She is scared of showing her report card for fear that her parents will be disappointed.

-을까 봐 (for fear that).

범죄자는 경찰의 추적을 무서워하며 도망다녔습니다.

The criminal ran away, fearing the police's pursuit.

Narrative past tense.

우리는 진실이 밝혀지는 것을 무서워해서는 안 됩니다.

We must not be afraid of the truth being revealed.

-어서는 안 된다 (must not).

인간은 본능적으로 미지의 세계를 무서워하는 속성이 있다.

Humans instinctively have a nature to fear the unknown world.

Academic tone.

권력자들은 민중의 목소리가 하나로 모이는 것을 가장 무서워한다.

Those in power fear most the gathering of the people's voices into one.

Social commentary context.

그는 죽음 그 자체보다 죽음에 이르는 과정을 더 무서워하고 있었다.

He was fearing the process leading to death more than death itself.

Philosophical nuance.

대중이 특정 질병을 무서워하게 되면 사회적 혼란이 야기될 수 있다.

If the public comes to fear a specific disease, social chaos can be caused.

-게 되다 (come to/become).

그녀는 자신의 내면에 숨겨진 욕망을 대면하는 것을 무서워했다.

She was afraid of confronting the desires hidden within her.

Psychological depth.

역사적으로 인간은 자연의 거대한 힘을 무서워하며 신을 숭배해 왔다.

Historically, humans have feared the great power of nature and worshipped gods.

Historical context.

아이들이 타인의 평가를 무서워하지 않고 자랄 수 있는 환경이 필요하다.

An environment is needed where children can grow up without fearing the evaluation of others.

Educational policy context.

그는 자신의 무지가 탄로 날까 봐 질문하는 것을 무서워했다.

He was afraid of asking questions for fear that his ignorance would be exposed.

Advanced vocabulary: 무지, 탄로.

존재의 허무를 무서워하는 인간의 실존적 고뇌를 다룬 작품이다.

It is a work dealing with the existential anguish of humans who fear the futility of existence.

Literary analysis.

정치적 억압 속에서 지식인들은 침묵을 강요당하며 서로를 무서워하게 되었다.

Under political oppression, intellectuals were forced into silence and came to fear one another.

Complex historical narrative.

기술의 진보가 인간의 통제를 벗어날 것을 무서워하는 목소리가 높다.

There are many voices fearing that technological progress will escape human control.

Contemporary issue discussion.

그는 사랑을 갈구하면서도 동시에 상처받는 것을 무서워하는 모순된 감정을 보였다.

He showed contradictory emotions of craving love while simultaneously fearing being hurt.

Nuanced character description.

우리가 진정으로 무서워해야 할 것은 공포 그 자체라는 말도 있다.

There is a saying that what we should truly fear is fear itself.

Rhetorical structure.

자본의 논리가 인간성을 압도하는 현실을 무서워하는 이들이 늘고 있다.

The number of people fearing the reality where the logic of capital overwhelms humanity is increasing.

Sociological critique.

그녀는 완벽주의의 덫에 걸려 작은 실수조차 무서워하며 전전긍긍했다.

Caught in the trap of perfectionism, she was in constant anxiety, fearing even small mistakes.

Idiomatic expression: 전전긍긍하다.

인류가 멸종의 위기를 무서워하지 않고 환경 파괴를 일삼는 것은 비극이다.

It is a tragedy that humanity continues environmental destruction without fearing the crisis of extinction.

Global issue commentary.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

귀신을 무서워하다 (to fear ghosts)

벌레를 무서워하다 (to fear bugs)

선생님을 무서워하다 (to fear a teacher)

실패를 무서워하다 (to fear failure)

어둠을 무서워하다 (to fear the dark)

높은 곳을 무서워하다 (to fear high places)

주사를 무서워하다 (to fear injections)

낯선 사람을 무서워하다 (to fear strangers)

혼자 있는 것을 무서워하다 (to fear being alone)

죽음을 무서워하다 (to fear death)

सामान्य वाक्यांश

무서워하지 마세요 (Don't be scared)

정말 무서워해요 (Really scared)

전혀 안 무서워해요 (Not scared at all)

무서워할 필요 없어요 (No need to be scared)

왜 그렇게 무서워해? (Why are you so scared?)

무서워하는 표정 (A scared expression)

무서워하며 울다 (To cry while being scared)

무서워하는 이유 (The reason for being scared)

무서워하게 만들다 (To make someone scared)

무서워하는 것 같아요 (Seems to be scared)

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

무서워하다 vs 무섭다 (Adjective - scary)

무서워하다 vs 두렵다 (Adjective - fearful/dreadful)

무서워하다 vs 놀라다 (Verb - to be surprised)

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

무서워하다 vs

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

nuance

Implies an active, observable state of fear.

first person

Can be used for 'I', but '무섭다' is more common for immediate feelings.

third person

Mandatory to use '무서워하다' instead of '무섭다' in declarative sentences.

सामान्य गलतियाँ

Using 이/가 instead of 을/를.
Using 무섭다 for a third person's feelings.
Confusing 'scary' (adjective) with 'fearing' (verb).
Using it for inanimate objects (e.g., 'The wall fears the wind').
Misspelling it as 무서하다.

सुझाव

The -어하다 Rule

Remember that -어하다 turns 'feelings' into 'actions'. This applies to many words like 슬퍼하다 (to be sad) and 기뻐하다 (to be happy).

Natural Sounding

When talking about others, always use 무서워하다. Using 무섭다 for others sounds like a translation from English.

Object Choice

Common objects for this verb include animals, people, and abstract concepts like 'failure'.

Formal Contexts

In formal writing, ensure you use the correct honorifics if the subject is someone respected (e.g., 무서워하십니다).

Identify the Subject

If you hear '무서워해요', look for the person who is feeling the fear, not the thing that is scary.

Summer Horror

In Korea, people watch scary movies in summer to 'cool down'. You'll hear this word a lot in July and August!

Daily Routine

Try to describe one thing each of your friends is scared of using this verb.

Vs. 놀라다

Don't confuse being 'startled' (놀라다) with being 'scared' (무서워하다). One is a jump, the other is a feeling.

Smooth Flow

Pronounce it as [무서워하다] with a soft 'w' sound in the middle.

Particle Check

If you catch yourself saying '이/가 무서워해요', stop and change it to '을/를'!

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Imagine a 'Moo' (cow) that is 'Seo' (standing) and you are 'Wo' (wow, scared!) because it's 'Ha' (happening) right now.

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

Native Korean

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

The 'horror' genre is very popular in summer (to 'cool down' the body with chills).

Koreans traditionally fear 'Cheonyeo Gwishin' (virgin ghosts) with long hair and white robes.

It is considered polite to use '무서워하다' when describing a superior's reaction to avoid sounding too direct about their internal state.

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"어릴 때 무엇을 가장 무서워했어요? (What did you fear most when you were young?)"

"공포 영화를 무서워하는 편인가요? (Are you the type to be scared of horror movies?)"

"친구 중에 벌레를 정말 무서워하는 사람이 있나요? (Is there anyone among your friends who is really scared of bugs?)"

"왜 사람들은 변화를 무서워할까요? (Why do people fear change?)"

"귀신을 무서워하세요? (Are you scared of ghosts?)"

डायरी विषय

내가 가장 무서워하는 것 세 가지와 그 이유를 써 보세요. (Write three things you fear most and the reasons why.)

누군가가 무서워하는 것을 도와준 경험이 있나요? (Do you have an experience helping someone who was scared?)

무서워하는 마음을 극복하는 방법은 무엇일까요? (What is a way to overcome a fearful heart?)

최근에 무엇을 무서워한 적이 있나요? (Have you feared something recently?)

사람들이 왜 실패를 무서워하는지 자신의 생각을 적어 보세요. (Write your thoughts on why people fear failure.)

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

Yes, you can. '나는 개를 무서워해요' is perfectly fine and means 'I fear dogs' (as a general fact or habit). However, if you see a dog right now and feel scared, '무서워요!' is more natural.

무섭다 is an adjective (The dog is scary). 무서워하다 is a verb (I/He fears the dog). Adjectives take 이/가, verbs take 을/를.

In Korean, you generally cannot state another person's internal feeling using a simple adjective. You must use the verb form '무서워해요' to show you are observing their feeling.

They are similar, but 두려워하다 is more formal and used for abstract things like 'the future' or 'death'. 무서워하다 is for physical things like 'spiders' or 'ghosts'.

You say '무서워하지 마세요' or '무서워하지 마' (casual).

Yes, '우리 고양이가 낯선 사람을 무서워해요' (My cat is scared of strangers) is correct.

Yes, '어릴 때 귀신을 무서워했어요' (I was scared of ghosts when I was young) is very common.

Always use 을 or 를. For example, '벌레를 무서워해요'.

No, but fear and dislike often go together. If you want to say 'hate', use '싫어하다'.

You can say '나는 공포 영화를 무서워해요' (I am scared of horror movies), but if the movie is currently scary, say '영화가 무서워요'.