Explanation at your level:
다행 means 'relief'. You use it when something bad does not happen. For example, if you miss a bus but another one comes, you can say '다행이다!' (What a relief!). It is a very happy word.
Use 다행이다 to show you are happy about a result. It is common to say '다행히' (luckily) at the start of a sentence. It helps you sound more natural when telling stories about your day.
At this level, you can use 다행 to express nuance. Instead of just saying 'I am happy', use '다행이다' to show that you were worried about a potential negative outcome. It is a key tool for showing emotional intelligence in Korean.
Native speakers use 다행 to soften bad news or to highlight a silver lining. Understanding the difference between '운이 좋다' (lucky) and '다행이다' (relief) is important here. One is about winning; the other is about avoiding a loss.
In professional or literary contexts, 다행 can be used to frame complex situations. It allows the speaker to acknowledge the gravity of a situation while focusing on the positive resolution. It is a sophisticated way to express empathy and perspective.
Mastery of 다행 involves understanding its Sino-Korean roots and its usage in idiomatic phrases like '천만다행'. It reflects a cultural tendency to value the avoidance of harm as much as the acquisition of gain, a subtle but profound aspect of Korean social interaction.
30초 단어
- Means relief or good fortune.
- Commonly used as '다행이다'.
- Not the same as 'luck' (winning).
- Essential for daily conversation.
The Korean word 다행 (da-haeng) is a beautiful and essential concept. At its core, it describes a sense of relief or good fortune.
Think of it as the feeling you get when you realize you didn't lose your keys, or when a storm passes without damaging your home. It’s not just about luck; it’s about the absence of a negative outcome.
Using this word helps you express gratitude for the small mercies in life. It is common to say 'It is a relief' or 'Fortunately' when things go well despite the odds.
The word 다행 is a Sino-Korean word, derived from the Hanja characters 多 (many/much) and 幸 (luck/happiness).
Historically, it referred to having 'much luck' or being 'greatly blessed.' Over centuries, the meaning shifted from a general state of being lucky to a more specific emotional reaction to avoiding misfortune.
Because it is rooted in classical Chinese characters, you will find similar concepts in Japanese (taikō) and Vietnamese, reflecting the deep shared linguistic history of East Asia.
You will hear 다행 in almost every daily conversation in Korea. It is most commonly used with the verb 'to be' (이다) or 'to think' (이다/하다).
The phrase 다행이다 (It is a relief) is the most frequent form. It is neutral in register, making it perfect for both casual chats with friends and slightly more professional settings.
When you want to emphasize the feeling, you can add adverbs like '정말' (truly) or '참' (very) to say '정말 다행이다' (It is truly a relief).
1. 천만다행: A million times lucky; used when something is incredibly fortunate. Example: 'It was a million times lucky that you weren't hurt.'
2. 불행 중 다행: A relief within misfortune; finding a silver lining. Example: 'Lost my phone, but at least I had my wallet—a relief within misfortune.'
3. 다행으로 알다: To consider oneself lucky. Example: 'You should consider yourself lucky that he didn't fire you.'
4. 다행스럽게도: Fortunately. Example: 'Fortunately, the rain stopped just in time.'
5. 다행히: Luckily. Example: 'Luckily, I arrived on time.'
다행 functions as a noun, but it almost always acts as a predicate when combined with the particle '-이다'.
Pronunciation is straightforward: 'da' as in 'dad' and 'haeng' with a soft 'h' sound. The 'ng' at the end is a nasal sound common in many languages.
It does not have a plural form, as it is an abstract noun representing a feeling or state. It is often used in the past tense to reflect on events that have already concluded.
Fun Fact
It shares roots with the word for happiness.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'dah' + 'hang'
Similar to the UK version
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'ae' sound
- Dropping the 'ng' sound
- Incorrect stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Noun + Copula
다행이다
Adverb formation
다행히
Sentence endings
다행이에요
Examples by Level
다행이다!
What a relief!
Noun + Copula
다행히 비가 안 와요.
참 다행이에요.
그게 다행이다.
다행으로 생각해요.
시험이 쉬워서 다행이다.
다행히 늦지 않았어요.
다행인 줄 알아.
그게 가장 다행이야.
불행 중 다행으로 다치지는 않았어요.
천만다행으로 사고를 피했습니다.
다행스럽게도 결과가 좋았습니다.
그를 다시 만나서 다행이다.
다행히도 아무도 다치지 않았습니다.
다행인 상황입니다.
다행이라고 생각합니다.
모두 다행입니다.
그가 무사해서 천만다행입니다.
실수를 하지 않아서 다행이에요.
다행인 점은 우리가 아직 시간이 있다는 것입니다.
그렇게 생각하니 다행스럽네요.
다행히도 모든 것이 잘 해결되었습니다.
당신이 오지 않아서 다행이었어요.
그런 결과가 나와서 다행입니다.
다행히도 큰 피해는 없었습니다.
그 제안을 거절한 것은 천만다행이었다.
다행히도 그 문제는 조기에 발견되었다.
그의 태도가 바뀐 것은 다행스러운 일이다.
불행 중 다행으로 우리는 대안을 찾을 수 있었다.
다행히도 회의는 성공적으로 끝났다.
이런 상황에서 그나마 다행인 것은...
다행으로 여기고 다음을 준비합시다.
결과적으로 다행인 셈입니다.
그의 무사 귀환은 가족들에게 천만다행이었다.
다행스럽게도 사태는 악화되지 않았다.
이러한 불행 중 다행의 상황을 잘 활용해야 한다.
그가 그곳에 없었던 것은 참으로 다행스러운 일이었다.
다행히도 우리는 최악의 시나리오를 피했다.
그의 조언이 없었더라면 다행이라고 할 수 없었을 것이다.
다행이라는 안도감이 가슴을 채웠다.
다행히도 모든 의혹이 해소되었다.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"천만다행"
A million times lucky
천만다행으로 살았습니다.
neutral"불행 중 다행"
A relief in misfortune
불행 중 다행입니다.
neutral"다행으로 여기다"
To count as a blessing
그걸 다행으로 여겨라.
formal"다행인 줄 알다"
To know one is lucky
다행인 줄 알아야지.
casual"다행스럽게도"
Fortunately
다행스럽게도 괜찮습니다.
formalEasily Confused
Both mean luck
행운 is positive gain, 다행 is relief from loss
행운을 빌어 (Good luck) vs 다행이다 (Relief)
Both are positive
기쁨 is joy, 다행 is relief
기쁘다 vs 다행이다
Both mean relief
안도 is internal feeling, 다행 is the situation
안도감이 든다 vs 다행이다
Adverb form
Adverb vs Noun
다행히 왔다 vs 다행이다
Sentence Patterns
Subject + -이/가 + 다행이다
비가 안 와서 다행이다.
다행히 + Sentence
다행히 늦지 않았다.
다행스럽게도 + Sentence
다행스럽게도 잘 끝났다.
불행 중 다행으로 + Sentence
불행 중 다행으로 살았다.
다행이라고 생각하다
그걸 다행이라고 생각한다.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
다행 is a noun, it needs -이다 to function as a predicate.
행운 is luck (winning), 다행 is relief (avoiding bad).
Adverbial form requires the suffix.
It sounds more professional.
Grammar check.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a sigh of relief.
Native Usage
Use it when you avoid a problem.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value relief highly.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use -이다.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'ng' sound.
Don't Mistake
Do not use for winning.
Did You Know?
It means 'many lucks'.
Study Smart
Use flashcards.
Context
Use in daily stories.
Adverbs
Use -히 for adverbs.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Da (Do) + Haeng (Hangout): Do a hangout because we are lucky!
Visual Association
A person exhaling deeply after a close call.
Word Web
챌린지
Use '다행이다' three times today.
어원
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Many blessings/luck
문화적 맥락
None
Similar to 'Thank goodness' or 'What a relief'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- 시험이 쉬워서 다행이다
- 다행히 숙제를 했다
- 지각 안 해서 다행이다
At work
- 다행히 마감했다
- 다행스러운 결과입니다
- 다행히 문제가 없다
Travel
- 다행히 비행기를 탔다
- 다행히 길을 찾았다
- 다행히 날씨가 좋다
Daily life
- 다행히 비가 안 온다
- 다행히 밥을 먹었다
- 다행히 안 다쳤다
Conversation Starters
"What is a recent relief you had?"
"Do you think you are lucky?"
"How do you express relief?"
"When do you say '다행이다'?"
"Is '다행' important in your culture?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt relief.
Describe a lucky day.
How do you handle bad news?
What are you thankful for today?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No, it is a noun.
Usually with -이다.
No, use 행운.
다행히.
It depends on the ending.
Use 다행입니다.
Use 유감.
Extremely.
셀프 테스트
비가 안 와서 ___.
It is a relief that it is not raining.
Which means 'luckily'?
다행히 is the adverb form.
다행 is a verb.
It is a noun.
Word
뜻
Correct forms.
Correct adverb placement.
점수: /5
Summary
다행 is the word you use to express relief when something bad is avoided.
- Means relief or good fortune.
- Commonly used as '다행이다'.
- Not the same as 'luck' (winning).
- Essential for daily conversation.
Memory Palace
Visualize a sigh of relief.
Native Usage
Use it when you avoid a problem.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value relief highly.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use -이다.
Related Content
emotions 관련 단어
받아들이다
A2To accept, to embrace, to take in.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action; advice.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.
