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A2 adjective #4,000 सबसे आम 10 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

억울하다

eogurolhada शीर्ष 4,000

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव 억울하다 30 सेकंड में

व्याख्या 억울하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to understand that 억울하다 is a word for a 'bad feeling' when something is not fair. It is like being very sad because someone said you did something bad when you were actually being good. For example, if your friend breaks a toy but tells the teacher that you broke it, you feel 억울해요. At this stage, just think of it as 'unfair-sad.' You can use it in very simple sentences like 'I am 억울해요' or 'It is 억울해요.' It is a very important word in Korea because people care a lot about being honest and fair. Even young children use this word when they think their parents are being mean to them for no reason. You might hear it in simple cartoons. Remember, it's not just 'I am angry,' it's 'I am angry because I am innocent!'

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the A2 level, you can start using 억울하다 in more complete sentences to describe specific situations. You should know how to conjugate it into the past tense (억울했어요) and use it with 'because' (억울해서). For example, 'I cried because I felt wronged' is 억울해서 울었어요. You can also use it to describe a situation, like 'an unfair matter' (억울한 일). A2 learners should distinguish 억울하다 from 슬프다 (sad). If you lose your wallet, you are 슬퍼요. If someone steals your wallet and then calls the police on you, you are 억울해요. This level involves recognizing the word in daily conversations, especially when people are complaining about small injustices at school, work, or home.

At the B1 level, you should understand the deeper emotional nuance of 억울하다 and how it relates to Korean social dynamics. You can use it to talk about workplace misunderstandings or social slights. You should be able to use the noun form 억울함 (the feeling of being wronged) and the verb form for others, 억울해하다. For instance, 'My boss is acting like he's the one being wronged' (사장님이 오히려 억울해하세요). You should also start using collocations like 억울한 누명 (false accusation). At this level, you can explain *why* you feel this way using more complex grammar like -(으)ㄴ/는 바람에 or -느라고. You are beginning to see how this word is a key element in many Korean stories and dramas where the plot revolves around clearing one's name.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the B2 level, you should be able to discuss 억울하다 in the context of social justice and legal issues. You can compare it with more formal terms like 부당하다 (unjust) and 불합리하다 (irrational). You should understand that 억울하다 is the emotional heart of an injustice, while 부당하다 is its legal or logical definition. You can use the word to debate topics like 'the feeling of being wronged in modern society' or 'how to resolve 억울함.' You'll encounter this word in news reports about judicial errors or labor strikes. You should also be familiar with the cultural concept of 'resolving one's 억울함' (억울함을 풀다), which is a major theme in Korean folklore and modern psychology (relating to Hwa-byeong).

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the C1 level, you can appreciate the literary and philosophical weight of 억울하다. You should understand its connection to the Korean concept of Han (한)—a collective feeling of suppressed sorrow and injustice. You can use the word to analyze characters in classic Korean literature who suffer 억울한 죽음 (unjust deaths). You should also be able to use more advanced synonyms like 원통하다 (bitterly resentful) or 분하다 (indignant) to express precise shades of emotion. At this level, you can use 억울하다 in sophisticated metaphors or when discussing the psychological impact of historical traumas on the Korean psyche. You understand how the word functions not just as a descriptor of a feeling, but as a claim to moral high ground in a conflict.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the word's sociolinguistic power. You can use 억울하다 to navigate complex interpersonal negotiations where acknowledging someone's 억울함 is a strategic move for reconciliation. You can analyze how the word is used in political discourse to mobilize public sentiment or how it appears in high-level legal arguments to appeal for clemency. You are aware of the subtle differences in how different generations use the word, including its ironic or self-deprecating use in modern internet culture. You can write essays on the 'culture of 억울함' in Korea and its effects on the legal system and social trust. Your use of the word is perfectly timed and carries the appropriate emotional weight for any given context, from a casual joke to a formal lament.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

억울하다 30 सेकंड में

억울하다 describes the deep emotional pain of being wronged or falsely accused, blending sadness with a burning sense of indignation and frustration.
It is commonly used when someone gets in trouble for something they didn't do or when their efforts are not recognized fairly.
Unlike 'unfair' (불공평하다), which is objective, 억울하다 is a subjective feeling that resides in the heart of the person who is suffering.
This word is central to Korean storytelling and culture, often linked to the concept of 'Han' and the desire for justice.

The Korean word 억울하다 (eogulhada) is one of those linguistically rich terms that encapsulates a very specific, deeply felt human emotion. While it is often translated into English as 'to be unfair' or 'to be wronged,' these translations only scratch the surface of its true essence. In Korean culture, eogulhada describes the suffocating, burning sensation in one's chest when they are blamed for something they did not do, or when they are treated with gross injustice and have no way to immediately rectify the situation. It is not just about an objective lack of fairness; it is about the subjective, visceral reaction to that unfairness. Imagine being accused of a crime you didn't commit, or being the only student punished when a whole group was talking. That knot in your stomach, that feeling of 'this isn't right,' and the frustration of not being heard—that is exactly what eogulhada conveys.

The Emotional Core: The word combines the feeling of sadness with a sharp edge of indignation. Unlike simple 'sadness' (슬프다), which can be passive, eogulhada implies a reactive energy—a desire for justice or a plea for the truth to be known.
Social Context: In South Korea's hierarchical and collective society, maintaining one's reputation and integrity is paramount. Being misunderstood or falsely accused can have severe social consequences, making the feeling of eogulhada particularly poignant in Korean interpersonal dynamics.

"저는 정말 아무 잘못도 없는데 선생님께 혼나서 너무 억울해요."(I did absolutely nothing wrong, but I got in trouble by the teacher, so I feel so wronged.)

- A common scenario where a student feels unjustly punished.

You will hear this word constantly in Korean dramas, particularly in legal thrillers or family melodramas. When a character is framed for a murder or a corporate scandal, their first cry is often 'Eogul-hae!' (It's unfair/I'm being wronged!). It is a plea for the world to recognize their innocence. However, it is not reserved only for life-and-death situations. It is used in everyday life, such as when a sibling eats the last piece of cake and tells your parents that you did it, or when a referee makes a bad call in a soccer match. The intensity of the word can range from a mild annoyance to a life-altering grievance. Understanding this word is key to understanding the Korean concept of Han (한), a deep-seated feeling of resentment and sorrow that often stems from historical or personal injustices.

"노력한 만큼 결과가 나오지 않아서 억울한 기분이 들어요."(I feel wronged because the results didn't reflect the effort I put in.)

Furthermore, the word is frequently used when discussing 'false accusations' (누명). To 'wear a false accusation' is 누명을 쓰다, and the resulting feeling is always 억울하다. It is an adjective that describes a state of being where the external reality (the punishment or blame) does not match the internal truth (one's innocence or effort). In modern Korean slang, you might see people using it humorously when they lose a game due to lag or a glitch, but its core remains serious and emotionally heavy. It is a word that demands a witness—someone to see the truth and validate the speaker's suffering.

Using 억울하다 correctly requires understanding its role as a descriptive verb (adjective) in Korean grammar. Unlike English, where we use 'to feel' or 'to be,' Korean adjectives function like verbs. You can say 'I am wronged' simply by saying '억울하다' in its appropriate conjugated form. The most common way to express this feeling is by using the subject markers -이/가 to indicate who or what is the source of the feeling, or to describe the person feeling it. For example, '나는 억울하다' (I feel wronged) is a complete thought.

Basic Conjugations

Present: 억울해요 (Polite), 억울해 (Informal)
Past: 억울했어요 (Polite), 억울했어 (Informal)
Future: 억울할 거예요 (Polite), 억울할 거야 (Informal)

"내가 하지도 않은 일로 욕을 먹으니 정말 억울하네요."(It's so unfair getting criticized for something I didn't even do.)

When you want to describe a noun using this word, you use the modifier form 억울한. This is commonly paired with nouns like 죽음 (death), 누명 (false accusation), or 일 (matter/event). For instance, '억울한 죽음' refers to an unjust death, a common trope in Korean ghost stories where a spirit cannot move on because they were murdered or wronged. In daily conversation, you might say '억울한 일이 생겼어요' (Something unfair happened). This structure allows you to point to specific events as the cause of your distress.

"동생 때문에 엄마한테 혼나서 억울해서 울었어요."(I cried because I felt wronged after being scolded by Mom because of my younger sibling.)

Another important pattern is using the causal form -아서/어서. You might say '억울해서 잠이 안 와요' (I can't sleep because I feel so wronged). This highlights the physical and mental toll the emotion takes. You can also use it with '말하다' (to speak) to say '억울함을 호소하다' (to appeal one's sense of being wronged). This is a more formal, often legal or journalistic expression. Whether you are venting to a friend or making a formal complaint, 억울하다 provides the emotional weight necessary to convey that a moral boundary has been crossed and you are the victim of that transgression.

If you are a fan of Korean media, 억울하다 is a word you will encounter in almost every genre. In K-Dramas, it is the fuel for the 'revenge' plotline. A protagonist is often sent to prison for a crime they didn't commit, and their entire journey is motivated by the 억울함 (the noun form, meaning 'the feeling of being wronged') they carry. They might shout '억울해!' during a trial or write it in a letter before seeking vengeance. It is the emotional hook that makes the audience root for the hero—we want to see their 억울함 resolved and their name cleared.

"세상에 이렇게 억울한 일이 어디 있습니까!"(Where in the world is there such an unfair thing as this!)

- A classic line heard in dramatic confrontations.

In Variety Shows, the word takes on a lighter, more comedic tone. When a cast member is 'betrayed' during a game of tag or a quiz, they will often exaggerate their reaction, falling to their knees and crying out '억울해요!' to make the audience laugh. In this context, it signals a playful indignation. For example, on shows like Running Man, certain characters are famous for being 'the icons of 억울함' because they are constantly targeted or unlucky. This shows the versatility of the word—it can express deep existential pain or the minor frustration of losing a silly game.

News and Media: You will see headlines like '억울한 옥살이' (Unjust imprisonment) when a person is found innocent after years in jail. The word is used to highlight systemic failures and the human cost of legal errors.
Workplace and School: Employees often feel 억울하다 when a colleague takes credit for their work, or when they are blamed for a project's failure despite their best efforts.

In everyday life, parents might hear their children say '억울해' when they feel a sibling is getting preferential treatment. It is a fundamental word for expressing one's sense of justice from a young age. Even in Webtoons and online forums, you'll see users posting stories titled '정말 억울한 일을 당했습니다' (I have suffered a truly unfair thing), seeking validation and advice from the community. The word acts as a social signal that a person's sense of 'fair play' has been violated, and they are looking for someone to acknowledge that the situation is, indeed, wrong.

"심판의 판정이 너무 억울해서 선수들이 항의하고 있어요."(The referee's decision was so unfair that the players are protesting.)

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make when learning 억울하다 is confusing it with the general concept of 'unfairness' (불공평하다). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. 불공평하다 (bulgongpyeonghada) is an objective description of a situation that is not equal or fair. For example, 'The distribution of resources is unfair.' However, 억울하다 is the *subjective feeling* of being the victim of that unfairness. You wouldn't say 'The resource distribution feels 억울하다' unless you were the specific person suffering from it and felt a deep personal grievance. 억울하다 always requires a person who is experiencing the emotion.

억울하다 vs. 슬프다 (Sad): Learners often use '슬프다' when they should use '억울하다'. If you are crying because your dog died, that is 슬프다. If you are crying because someone killed your dog and blamed you for it, that is 억울하다. The latter includes a sense of indignation and a desire for truth.
억울하다 vs. 화나다 (Angry): While 억울함 often leads to anger (화), they are different. You can be angry at a slow computer, but you wouldn't feel 억울하다 toward it. 억울하다 usually involves a moral or social component where you feel you've been treated poorly by people or fate.

"비가 와서 소풍을 못 가는 건 슬픈 일이지 억울한 일은 아니에요."(Not being able to go on a picnic because it's raining is a sad thing, not an unfair/wronged thing.)

Another mistake is the grammatical misuse of particles. Because it's an adjective, you should use the subject marker -이/가 with the thing that makes you feel wronged, not the object marker -을/를. For example, saying '누명을 억울하다' is incorrect; instead, you should say '누명이 억울하다' or '누명 때문에 억울하다'. Additionally, beginners sometimes forget that 억울하다 describes the speaker's state. If you want to say 'That situation is unfair' in a general sense, use 부당하다 (unjust) or 불공평하다. Use 억울하다 when you want to emphasize the emotional pain of the victim.

"그 사람은 자기가 잘못해놓고 오히려 억울해해요."(That person did something wrong themselves but, on the contrary, they are acting like they are the one being wronged.)

To truly master the nuance of 억울하다, it helps to compare it with other Korean words that deal with negative emotions and injustice. Korean has a vast vocabulary for 'feelings,' and choosing the right one can significantly change the tone of your sentence. While 억울하다 is the most common word for feeling wronged, there are several alternatives depending on the intensity and the specific cause of the emotion.

분하다 (Bun-hada): This word is closer to 'vexed' or 'indignant.' It has a stronger element of anger and resentment. While 억울하다 often involves crying or sadness, 분하다 involves gritting one's teeth. You feel 분하다 when you lose a competition you should have won.
원통하다 (Wontong-hada): This is a very strong, somewhat old-fashioned word meaning 'bitterly resentful' or 'grievously wronged.' It is often used in historical dramas when someone's life is ruined by a conspiracy. It is much more intense than 억울하다.
답답하다 (Dapdaphada): This means 'stifled' or 'frustrated' because you can't express yourself or things aren't going your way. If you feel 억울하다 but can't find the words to explain why, you will also feel 답답하다.

"억울하고 분해서 밤새 한숨도 못 잤어요."(I was so wronged and indignant that I couldn't sleep a wink all night.)

If you want to describe the situation rather than your feeling, you should use words like 부당하다 (budanghada), which means 'unjust' or 'unwarranted,' or 불합리하다 (bulhamnihada), which means 'irrational' or 'illogical.' For example, '부당한 대우' (unjust treatment) is a common phrase in labor disputes. Using these words makes your speech sound more objective and professional. Conversely, sticking with 억울하다 keeps the focus on the personal, emotional impact. In a legal setting, a lawyer might argue that a sentence is 부당하다, while the defendant cries that they are 억울하다.

"이건 너무 불공평해요. 하지만 제가 억울한 건 아니에요."(This is very unfair. But it's not that I feel wronged/victimised.)

- Distinguishing between objective unfairness and personal feeling.

How Formal Is It?

रोचक तथ्य

The 'ul' (鬱) in 억울하다 is the same character used in 'u-ul-jeung' (depression), highlighting the deep emotional and mental toll of feeling wronged.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /ʌ.ɡul.ɦa.da/

US /ʌ.ɡul.hɑ.dɑ/

The primary stress is on the second syllable 'gul' (억울), which carries the emotional weight.

तुकबंदी

서글프다 (seogeulpeuda - somewhat) 울다 (ulda) 굴다 (gulda) 물다 (mulda) 불다 (bulda) 줄다 (julda) 풀다 (pulda) 훌쩍이다 (huljjeogida - related to crying)

आम गलतियाँ

Pronouncing 'eo' (어) as 'oh' (오). It should be an unrounded open-mid back vowel.
Making the 'g' in 'gul' too hard like 'k'. It's a soft 'g'.
Forgetting the 'h' sound in 'hada', though in fast speech it can become very light.
Pronouncing 'ul' as 'ool' like 'pool'. It's a shorter, tighter 'u' sound.
Over-emphasizing the first syllable 'eok'. The flow should be smooth into 'gul'.

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 2/5

The word itself is common, but the Hanja-based synonyms can be harder.

लिखना 3/5

Requires understanding the difference between -이/가 and -을/를 with adjectives.

बोलना 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires emotional intonation to sound natural.

श्रवण 2/5

Very frequent in dramas; easy to pick up once you know the sound.

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

슬프다 (to be sad) 화나다 (to be angry) 틀리다 (to be wrong) 맞다 (to be right/correct) 일 (thing/matter)

आगे सीखें

분하다 (to be indignant) 부당하다 (to be unjust) 누명 (false accusation) 복수 (revenge) 용서 (forgiveness)

उन्नत

원통하다 (bitterly resentful) 불합리 (irrationality) 사법 (judiciary) 결백 (innocence) 호소 (appeal)

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Adjective + -어/아하다

동생이 선물을 못 받아서 억울해해요. (My brother is feeling wronged because he didn't get a gift.)

-(으)ㄴ/는 바람에

비가 오는 바람에 소풍이 취소되어 억울해요. (I feel wronged because the picnic was canceled due to rain.)

-느라고

공부하느라고 못 놀아서 억울해요. (I feel wronged because I couldn't play because I was studying.)

-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다

이런 상황이라면 억울할 수밖에 없죠. (In this situation, you have no choice but to feel wronged.)

-(으)ㄹ 정도로

억울해서 눈물이 날 정도였어요. (I felt so wronged that I was about to cry.)

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

저는 너무 억울해요.

I feel so wronged/unfairly treated.

Subject + Adverb + Adjective (Polite).

동생이 먹었는데 제가 혼났어요. 억울해요.

My sibling ate it, but I got scolded. It's unfair.

Simple cause and effect with the feeling.

억울해서 울었어요.

I cried because it was unfair.

-아서/어서 (because) connecting the feeling to an action.

진짜 억울해!

It's really unfair! (Informal)

Informal (Banmal) ending.

이거 너무 억울한 일이에요.

This is such an unfair thing.

Modifier form '억울한' describing '일' (matter/thing).

친구가 오해해서 억울해요.

I feel wronged because my friend misunderstood.

Noun + -이/가 (Subject) + feeling.

선생님, 저 정말 억울해요.

Teacher, I really feel wronged.

Direct address to an authority figure.

억울하지만 참았어요.

It was unfair, but I held it in.

-지만 (but) used to show restraint.

아무 잘못도 없는데 욕을 먹어서 억울해요.

I didn't do anything wrong, but I'm getting criticized, so I feel wronged.

Complex sentence with '아무 ... 도' (nothing at all).

노력했는데 점수가 안 나와서 억울했어요.

I worked hard, but the score didn't come out well, so I felt wronged.

Past tense '억울했어요'.

그 사람은 억울한 누명을 썼어요.

That person was falsely accused (wore an unfair false accusation).

Common collocation: 억울한 누명을 쓰다.

엄마는 제 말을 안 믿어주셔서 억울해요.

I feel wronged because Mom doesn't believe what I say.

Honorific form for mother with '안 믿어주셔서'.

억울한 기분이 들 때는 어떻게 해요?

What do you do when you feel wronged?

-(으)ㄹ 때 (when) structure.

심판 때문에 우리 팀이 져서 억울해요.

It's unfair because our team lost because of the referee.

Noun + 때문에 (because of).

억울한 마음을 친구에게 말했어요.

I told my friend about my feeling of being wronged.

Using '마음' (heart/mind) as the object.

그렇게 말하니까 정말 억울하네요.

Since you say it like that, I really feel wronged.

-네요 ending for expressing realization/emotion.

자기가 실수해놓고 남 탓을 하니 억울할 수밖에요.

Since they made the mistake but are blaming others, it's only natural to feel wronged.

-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 (no choice but to...).

억울함을 풀기 위해 경찰서에 갔어요.

I went to the police station to resolve my sense of being wronged.

Noun form 억울함 + -기 위해 (in order to).

그는 억울해하는 표정으로 나를 쳐다봤다.

He looked at me with an expression of feeling wronged.

-어/아하다 (showing a third person's feeling).

억울한 일이 있으면 참지 말고 말하세요.

If there's something unfair, don't hold it in and speak up.

-(으)면 (if) + -지 말고 (don't... but...).

내가 한 일도 아닌데 책임지라고 하니 너무 억울합니다.

It's not even something I did, but they're telling me to take responsibility, so it's very unfair.

Indirect quotation -라고 하다.

그 선수는 억울한 판정 때문에 눈물을 흘렸어요.

That athlete shed tears because of the unfair judgment.

Cause (Noun + 때문에) + Result.

억울해서 잠을 한숨도 못 잤다는 말이 이해가 가요.

I understand the saying that one couldn't sleep a wink because they felt so wronged.

Understanding a common idiomatic expression.

세상에 억울하지 않은 사람이 어디 있겠어요?

Where would there be a person in this world who hasn't felt wronged?

Rhetorical question using -겠어요.

부당한 해고를 당한 노동자들이 억울함을 호소하고 있다.

Workers who were unfairly dismissed are appealing their sense of being wronged.

Formal journalistic style: -고 있다 (progressive).

그 영화는 억울하게 감옥에 간 남자의 복수극이다.

That movie is a revenge drama about a man who went to prison unjustly.

Adverbial form 억울하게 (unjustly/wrongly).

거짓 소문 때문에 억울한 피해자가 생겨나고 있습니다.

Unfair victims are being created because of false rumors.

Passive/Resultative sense with 생겨나다.

억울한 마음이 응어리져서 병이 된 것 같아요.

It seems like the feeling of being wronged has formed a knot and become an illness.

Metaphorical use related to 'Hwa-byeong'.

피고인은 자신의 결백을 주장하며 억울함을 토로했다.

The defendant asserted their innocence and poured out their feelings of being wronged.

Formal vocabulary: 결백 (innocence), 토로하다 (to vent/pour out).

억울한 일을 당했을 때 법적으로 대응하는 방법이 중요해요.

When you suffer something unfair, the method of responding legally is important.

Noun + -을/를 당하다 (to suffer/undergo).

그의 죽음이 억울하지 않도록 진실을 밝혀야 합니다.

We must reveal the truth so that his death is not in vain/wronged.

-도록 (so that/in order to).

사소한 오해가 억울한 상황을 만들기도 합니다.

Minor misunderstandings sometimes create unfair situations.

-기도 하다 (sometimes does...).

시대의 비극 속에서 억울하게 희생된 영혼들을 기립니다.

We commemorate the souls who were unjustly sacrificed in the tragedy of the era.

Highly formal, literary tone.

그의 목소리에는 억울함과 분노가 뒤섞여 있었다.

His voice was a mix of a sense of being wronged and anger.

Abstract noun usage with '뒤섞이다' (to be mixed).

억울한 감정은 때로 인간을 파괴적인 길로 인도하기도 한다.

The feeling of being wronged sometimes leads humans down a destructive path.

Philosophical/General truth statement.

한국 문학에서 '한'은 억울함이 쌓여 만들어진 정서이다.

In Korean literature, 'Han' is an emotion created by the accumulation of feeling wronged.

Cultural analysis/Definition.

그는 억울함을 호소할 길 없는 사회적 약자의 대변인이었다.

He was a spokesperson for the socially vulnerable who had no way to appeal their grievances.

Complex noun phrase: '호소할 길 없는' (no way to appeal).

진실이 밝혀졌음에도 불구하고 그의 억울함은 가시지 않았다.

Despite the truth being revealed, his sense of being wronged did not fade.

-음에도 불구하고 (despite the fact that...).

억울한 죽음을 맞이한 이들의 넋을 달래는 굿이 열렸다.

A 'Gut' (shamanic ritual) was held to soothe the spirits of those who met an unjust death.

Cultural specific vocabulary: 넋 (soul), 달래다 (to soothe), 굿 (shamanic ritual).

권력 앞에서 개인의 억울함은 종종 묵살되곤 한다.

Before power, an individual's sense of being wronged is often ignored/dismissed.

-곤 하다 (frequently/often does...).

사법 제도의 맹점이 억울한 사법 피해자를 양산하고 있다는 비판이 제기되었다.

Criticism has been raised that loopholes in the judicial system are producing a mass of unjust judicial victims.

Academic/Legal critique terminology.

억울함이라는 감정의 기저에는 공정성에 대한 인간의 근원적 갈망이 자리 잡고 있다.

At the base of the emotion called 'feeling wronged' lies the fundamental human longing for fairness.

Psychological/Philosophical analysis.

국가는 억울하게 침해받은 국민의 기본권을 회복시킬 의무가 있다.

The state has an obligation to restore the basic rights of citizens that have been unjustly infringed upon.

Constitutional/Legal phrasing.

그의 자서전은 평생에 걸친 억울함과 투쟁의 기록이다.

His autobiography is a record of a lifelong sense of being wronged and the subsequent struggle.

Literary description.

역사적 사건의 재조명은 억울하게 잊힌 이들의 이름을 되찾는 과정이다.

The re-examination of historical events is the process of reclaiming the names of those who were unjustly forgotten.

Historiographical context.

억울함이 집단적 분노로 승화될 때 사회 변혁의 동력이 되기도 한다.

When the sense of being wronged is sublimated into collective anger, it sometimes becomes the driving force for social transformation.

Sociological theory/Analysis.

언론은 억울한 이들의 목소리를 가감 없이 전달하는 공론장의 역할을 수행해야 한다.

The media must perform the role of a public forum that conveys the voices of the wronged without addition or subtraction.

Media ethics/Formal discourse.

인간 소외의 이면에는 소통되지 못한 수많은 억울함이 도사리고 있다.

On the flip side of human alienation, countless uncommunicated feelings of being wronged are lurking.

Existential/Philosophical tone.

समानार्थी शब्द

분하다 원통하다 답답하다 속상하다 괘씐하다 서럽다 비참하다 가슴 아프다

विलोम शब्द

당연하다 정당하다 공평하다 후련하다

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

억울한 누명

억울한 죽음

억울함을 호소하다

억울함을 풀다

정말 억울하다

억울해서 울다

억울한 심정

억울하게 당하다

억울한 사연

억울한 피해자

सामान्य वाक्यांश

억울해 죽겠다

— Used to emphasize extreme frustration. Literally 'I feel so wronged I could die.'

거짓말쟁이로 몰리니 억울해 죽겠어요.

억울하면 출세해라

— A cynical saying meaning 'If you feel wronged by the world, become successful/powerful.'

억울하면 출세하라는 말이 참 슬프게 들린다.

세상에 이런 억울한 일이

— An exclamation used when hearing about a shocking injustice. 'What an unfair thing in this world.'

세상에 이런 억울한 일이 또 있을까요?

억울한 귀신

— A ghost that cannot move on because of an unresolved grievance. A common cultural trope.

억울한 귀신이 나타난다는 소문이 있다.

억울함을 참다

— To suppress or endure the feeling of being wronged.

그는 가족을 위해 억울함을 꾹 참았다.

억울함이 가득하다

— To be full of a sense of being wronged.

그의 눈에는 억울함이 가득했다.

억울할 것도 없다

— There is no reason to feel wronged (because the outcome was fair or expected).

내가 잘못한 거니 억울할 것도 없지.

억울함을 토로하다

— To pour out or vent one's grievances.

기자 회견에서 억울함을 토로했다.

억울한 눈물

— Tears shed out of a sense of injustice.

억울한 눈물을 닦으며 일어났다.

억울하게 뺏기다

— To have something taken away unjustly.

내 아이디어를 억울하게 뺏겼어요.

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

억울하다 vs 불공평하다

불공평하다 is the objective 'unfairness' of a situation; 억울하다 is the subjective 'feeling' of being the victim.

억울하다 vs 부당하다

부당하다 is often used in legal/formal contexts for 'unjust' treatment; 억울하다 is the personal emotional response.

억울하다 vs 슬프다

슬프다 is general sadness; 억울하다 is sadness specifically caused by injustice or false blame.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"눈 뜨고 코 베이다"

— To be cheated or wronged in broad daylight while wide awake. The victim feels extreme 억울함.

서울은 눈 뜨고 코 베이는 곳이라니 조심해라.

Informal/Proverb

"방귀 뀐 놈이 성낸다"

— The person who did something wrong gets angry at the innocent person. This causes the innocent person to feel 억울하다.

자기가 잘못해놓고 왜 나한테 화를 내? 방귀 뀐 놈이 성낸다더니.

Informal/Proverb

"도둑으로 몰리다"

— To be framed or accused of being a thief. This is a primary source of 억울함.

아무것도 안 훔쳤는데 도둑으로 몰려서 억울해요.

Neutral

"가슴에 못을 박다"

— To say or do something that causes deep emotional pain to someone. Often causes long-term 억울함.

부모님 가슴에 못을 박는 소리는 하지 마라.

Neutral/Metaphorical

"피눈물을 흘리다"

— To shed tears of blood. Expresses the most extreme form of 억울함 and sorrow.

억울하게 자식을 잃은 부모가 피눈물을 흘렸다.

Literary/Strong

"누명을 벗다"

— To be cleared of a false accusation. The resolution of 억울함.

10년 만에 드디어 누명을 벗게 되었습니다.

Formal

"하늘이 알고 땅이 안다"

— Heaven and Earth know the truth. Used to assert innocence when feeling 억울하다.

내가 결백하다는 건 하늘이 알고 땅이 안다.

Neutral/Proverb

"종로에서 뺨 맞고 한강에서 화풀이한다"

— Getting wronged in one place and taking out the frustration elsewhere. Relates to the displacement of 억울함.

회사에서 혼나고 왜 나한테 그래? 종로에서 뺨 맞고 한강에서 화풀이하니?

Informal/Proverb

"마른하늘에 날벼락"

— A bolt from the blue. An unexpected disaster that often feels 억울하다 because it's so random.

멀쩡한 직장을 잃다니 마른하늘에 날벼락이 따로 없네.

Neutral/Idiom

"손바닥으로 하늘 가리기"

— Trying to cover up the truth with a small lie. The victim feels 억울하다 when the culprit tries this.

네 죄를 손바닥으로 하늘 가리듯 숨길 수 있을 것 같니?

Neutral/Idiom

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

억울하다 vs 분하다

Both involve feeling wronged.

분하다 is more about anger and the desire to win/overcome after a loss; 억울하다 is more about the pain of being misunderstood.

결승에서 져서 분하다 vs. 도둑으로 몰려서 억울하다.

억울하다 vs 원통하다

Both mean feeling wronged.

원통하다 is much more intense and often used for life-altering tragedies or historical contexts.

억울한 일 (minor or major) vs. 원통한 죽음 (extreme tragedy).

억울하다 vs 서럽다

Both involve crying and feeling mistreated.

서럽다 emphasizes the sorrow and loneliness of being neglected; 억울하다 emphasizes the injustice of being blamed.

생일에 혼자라 서럽다 vs. 내가 안 했는데 혼나서 억울하다.

억울하다 vs 답답하다

Both describe a heavy feeling in the chest.

답답하다 is frustration because you can't breathe or speak; 억울하다 is the reason *why* you might feel that way.

말이 안 통해서 답답하다 vs. 오해를 받아서 억울하다.

억울하다 vs 속상하다

Both are common words for being 'upset'.

속상하다 is a light, general term for any disappointment; 억울하다 requires a specific sense of being wronged.

날씨가 안 좋아서 속상하다 vs. 거짓말쟁이로 몰려서 억울하다.

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

저는 억울해요.

[Reason] 때문에 억울해요.

오해 때문에 억울해요.

억울한 [Noun]

억울한 일.

[Action]해서 억울해요.

혼나서 억울해요.

억울함을 [Verb]

억울함을 말해요.

억울하게 [Verb]

억울하게 죽다.

억울하기 짝이 없다

이 상황은 억울하기 짝이 없다. (This situation is beyond unfair.)

억울함을 금치 못하다

그의 소식에 억울함을 금치 못했다. (I couldn't suppress my sense of injustice at his news.)

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

억울함 The feeling or state of being wronged/unjustly treated.

क्रिया

억울해하다 To feel/show that one is wronged (used for third persons).

विशेषण

억울하다 To be wronged/unfair (the base form).

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

frequency

Very high in emotional expression, media, and social discourse.

सामान्य गलतियाँ

Using 을/를 with 억울하다. → Using 이/가 with 억울하다.
억울하다 is an adjective, so it takes a subject, not an object. Say '일이 억울해요', not '일을 억울해요'.
Using 억울하다 for other people's feelings directly. → Using 억울해하다 for others.
In Korean, you generally use -어/아하다 for third-person emotions. Say '그는 억울해해요'.
Using 억울하다 when you are just sad. → Using 슬프다 for general sadness.
억울하다 requires a sense of being wronged. If you lose a game fairly but are sad, use 슬프다 or 아쉽다.
Confusing 억울하다 with 불공평하다 in formal writing. → Using 부당하다 or 불공평하다 for objective injustice.
억울하다 is too emotional for some formal reports. Use 부당하다 to describe 'unjust' systems.
Pronouncing 'eo' (어) as 'o' (오). → Pronouncing 'eo' as an open 'u' sound.
If you say '옥울하다' (ok-ul-hada), it sounds like 'gemstone-ul,' which is nonsensical.

सुझाव

Adjective Ending

Remember that 억울하다 is an adjective. In the present tense, it's 억울해요. Do not use 'be' verbs like '이다' with it.

The Power of Empathy

If someone says they are 억울하다, the best response is '정말 억울하겠어요' (You must feel so wronged). It validates their feelings.

Set Phrases

Memorize '억울한 누명' (false accusation) and '억울한 죽음' (unjust death) together. They are very common collocations.

Subjective vs. Objective

Use 억울하다 for feelings (subjective) and 불공평하다 for facts (objective).

The 'Eok' Sound

Make the '억' sound short and sharp to emphasize the sudden shock of being wronged.

Using Adverbs

Use '억울하게' when you want to describe how an action happened unjustly, like '억울하게 감옥에 갔다'.

Drama Keywords

When you hear '억울해!', expect a revenge plot or a scene where a character tries to prove their innocence.

Informal Usage

With close friends, you can say '아, 진짜 억울해!' to complain about small things like a hard exam or a missed bus.

Visualizing 'Han'

Visualize the Hanja 抑 (suppress). It looks like a hand (扌) pressing down on something. That's the core of 억울하다.

Sadness vs. Injustice

If you are sad but no one is to blame, don't use 억울하다. Use it only when there is a sense of 'wrongness' involved.

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Think of 'Ugh!' (억) + 'Ghouls' (울). 'Ugh, these ghouls are accusing me of something I didn't do! It's so 억울해요!'

दृश्य संबंध

Imagine a person with a heavy stone pressing down on their chest, unable to breathe or speak. That 'pressed down' feeling is the '억' (suppress) in 억울하다.

Word Web

Wronged Unfair Indignant Misunderstood Framed Resentful Stifled Hurt

चैलेंज

Try to remember a time when you were blamed for something you didn't do. Say out loud in Korean: '그때 정말 억울했어요' (I felt really wronged then).

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

Derived from Hanja (Chinese characters). 抑 (억) meaning 'to press down' or 'suppress' and 鬱 (울) meaning 'to be pent up,' 'stagnant,' or 'gloomy.'

मूल अर्थ: The original meaning refers to a state where one's feelings are suppressed and cannot be expressed, leading to a stifled, heavy heart due to injustice.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

Be careful when using this word toward someone who is actually suffering; it requires a sincere, empathetic tone. Using it too lightly for serious matters can seem dismissive.

English speakers often just say 'That's not fair,' but 억울하다 is much more emotional and personal. It's more like 'I'm heartbroken because this is so unfair.'

The movie 'Oldboy' (2003) - The protagonist feels extreme 억울함 after being imprisoned for 15 years without knowing why. The movie 'Miracle in Cell No. 7' - A story centered on a man who is 억울하게 (unjustly) sentenced to death. Common K-Drama line: '내가 얼마나 억울한데!' (Do you know how wronged I feel!)

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

False Accusations

누명을 썼어요.
제가 안 했어요.
진실을 밝혀주세요.
너무 억울합니다.

Workplace Injustice

제 공을 가로챘어요.
부당한 대우를 받았어요.
억울해서 못 살겠어요.
사과하세요.

Sports/Games

오심이에요!
판정이 억울해요.
다시 확인해 주세요.
운이 없었어요.

Family Arguments

동생만 예뻐해요.
왜 나만 혼내요?
진짜 억울해!
내 말 좀 들어봐.

Legal Issues

억울함을 호소합니다.
증거가 있어요.
무죄를 주장합니다.
법대로 합시다.

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"혹시 살면서 정말 억울했던 적이 있었나요? (Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt really wronged?)"

"드라마에서 억울한 주인공을 보면 어떤 기분이 들어요? (How do you feel when you see a protagonist being wronged in a drama?)"

"억울한 일을 당했을 때 어떻게 스트레스를 푸세요? (How do you relieve stress when you suffer something unfair?)"

"친구와 오해 때문에 억울했던 경험이 있나요? (Do you have an experience where you felt wronged because of a misunderstanding with a friend?)"

"한국 드라마에는 왜 억울한 이야기가 많을까요? (Why do you think there are so many stories about being wronged in Korean dramas?)"

डायरी विषय

내가 가장 억울했던 순간에 대해 쓰고, 그때의 감정을 자세히 묘사해 보세요. (Write about the moment you felt most wronged and describe your feelings at that time in detail.)

억울한 일을 겪고 있는 친구에게 해주고 싶은 위로의 말을 적어 보세요. (Write words of comfort you would like to give to a friend who is going through an unfair situation.)

사회의 억울한 피해자들을 돕기 위해 우리가 할 수 있는 일은 무엇일까요? (What can we do to help the unfair victims of society?)

만약 내가 억울하게 감옥에 간다면, 가장 먼저 무엇을 할 것 같나요? (If you were unjustly sent to prison, what is the first thing you would do?)

'억울함'이라는 감정이 인간의 성장에 어떤 영향을 줄 수 있을까요? (How can the emotion of 'feeling wronged' affect human growth?)

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

Technically, 억울하다 describes a feeling. If you want to say 'The situation is unfair' in a general, detached way, use '불공평하다' or '부당하다'. Use 억울하다 when you are emphasizing the emotional impact on a person.

억울하다 focuses on the sadness and frustration of being misunderstood or wronged. 분하다 focuses on the burning anger and indignation, often after a competition or a loss. If you cry, it's more likely 억울하다; if you grit your teeth, it's 분하다.

In Korean, you use the form '-어/아하다' for third-person emotions. So, you would say '그는 억울해해요' (He feels wronged). Saying '그는 억울해요' sounds like you are directly experiencing his feeling, which is grammatically awkward for adjectives of feeling.

Yes, extremely common. Children use it with parents, students with teachers, and adults with colleagues. It is a fundamental word for expressing any sense of personal injustice, large or small.

Be careful. While you can use it to describe a past challenge where you were misunderstood, using it too much might make you sound like a victim. It's better to use more objective terms like '오해가 있었지만...' (There was a misunderstanding but...).

It means 'an unfair false accusation.' It's a very common set phrase used when someone is blamed for something they didn't do. '누명을 쓰다' is the verb for 'to be falsely accused.'

No, it is exclusively for negative feelings related to injustice or being wronged. There is no 'positive' version of this word.

Han is a deep, long-term resentment and sorrow. 억울함 is often the starting point of Han. If a person's 억울함 is never resolved, it turns into Han over time.

Yes, if you feel the loss was due to bad luck, a bad referee, or someone cheating. If you just played poorly, you might feel '속상하다' or '아쉽다' instead.

The noun form is '억울함'. You can use it in sentences like '억울함을 참을 수 없어요' (I can't bear the feeling of being wronged).

सुझाव और नोट्स के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें