Meaning
To alter one's opinion or decision about something.
Cultural Background
In K-dramas, this phrase is a 'cliché' for breakups. It's often delivered with a cold, expressionless face to show that the love is completely gone. In Korean business, changing your mind after a verbal agreement is highly frowned upon and can damage your 'shin-yong' (credit/trust). On Korean social media (SNS), people use '마음이 변하다' to describe 'unfollowing' or 'unliking' something they used to be a fan of. Traditional Korean values emphasize 'Il-pyeon-dan-shim' (a single-hearted devotion). '마음이 변하다' is the linguistic opposite of this virtue.
Use with -다가
It sounds very natural when used with '-다가' (while doing...). Example: '가려다가 마음이 변했어' (I was going, then I changed my mind).
Don't use for objects
Remember, only things with a 'soul' or 'will' can have their '마음' change. Don't use it for your computer or the weather!
Meaning
To alter one's opinion or decision about something.
Use with -다가
It sounds very natural when used with '-다가' (while doing...). Example: '가려다가 마음이 변했어' (I was going, then I changed my mind).
Don't use for objects
Remember, only things with a 'soul' or 'will' can have their '마음' change. Don't use it for your computer or the weather!
Softening a 'No'
If you want to cancel plans politely, say '갑자기 사정이 생겨서 마음이 변했어요' (Suddenly something came up and my mind changed). It sounds less like you're just being lazy.
The 'Reed' Metaphor
If someone calls you a 'reed' (갈대), they are teasing you for changing your mind too often.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct particle.
어제는 가고 싶었지만, 오늘 마음( ) 변했어요.
'마음' is the subject of the intransitive verb '변하다', so the subject marker '이' is required.
Which sentence is most natural when canceling a date because you don't feel like going anymore?
친구에게 뭐라고 말할까요?
This correctly uses the idiom to express a change in personal feeling/decision.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 왜 그 가방 안 샀어요? 아까는 예쁘다고 했잖아요. B: ( )
'-해서요' is a natural way to give a reason in a polite conversation.
Match the situation to the most likely use of the phrase.
상황: 1년 동안 사귄 남자친구가 갑자기 연락을 안 하고 다른 여자를 만나요.
In the context of relationships and infidelity, '마음이 변했다' is the standard expression.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
마음 vs 생각
Practice Bank
4 exercises어제는 가고 싶었지만, 오늘 마음( ) 변했어요.
'마음' is the subject of the intransitive verb '변하다', so the subject marker '이' is required.
친구에게 뭐라고 말할까요?
This correctly uses the idiom to express a change in personal feeling/decision.
A: 왜 그 가방 안 샀어요? 아까는 예쁘다고 했잖아요. B: ( )
'-해서요' is a natural way to give a reason in a polite conversation.
상황: 1년 동안 사귄 남자친구가 갑자기 연락을 안 하고 다른 여자를 만나요.
In the context of relationships and infidelity, '마음이 변했다' is the standard expression.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, if it's a change in your preference, you can say '좋아하는 색깔에 대한 마음이 변했어요.'
Not necessarily, but it can be. It depends on the context. Changing your mind about a sandwich is neutral; changing your mind about a marriage is negative.
'생각' is more about logic and thoughts. '마음' is more about feelings and deep-seated decisions.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. '변하다' is intransitive, so you must use '마음이'.
You can say '절대 마음이 변하지 않을 거예요.'
Yes, but '계획이 변경되었습니다' (The plan has changed) is more professional.
No, that would be '정신이 나가다' or '미치다'. '마음이 변하다' only means the content of your thoughts/feelings changed.
Yes! If your dog wanted to go for a walk but then decided to sleep, you can jokingly say '우리 강아지가 마음이 변했나 봐요.'
The opposite is '마음이 변치 않다' (the heart does not change) or '한결같다' (to be the same).
Yes, but use the formal form: '마음이 변했습니다.'
Because it uses very common words and is essential for basic social interactions like shopping and making plans.
No, use '날씨가 변하다' or '날씨가 바뀌다'.
Related Phrases
마음이 {바뀌|--}다
synonymTo change one's mind
{변|變}심하다
specialized formTo change one's heart (betrayal)
{변|變}덕을 {부|--}리다
similarTo be fickle
생각이 {바뀌|--}다
similarTo change one's thoughts
마음을 {돌|--}리다
contrastTo change someone else's mind
