A2 noun 2 min read

죄송함

The state of feeling sorry or regretful.

joesongham
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

죄송함 is the feeling of being sorry. You use it when you make a mistake. It is like the word 'sorry' but it is a noun. It is very polite.

When you feel bad about something you did, you feel 죄송함. It is a formal word. We use it when we want to show we are very serious about our apology.

죄송함 represents the state of regret. Unlike the verb '죄송합니다', this noun allows you to discuss the emotion itself. It is common in formal writing or when explaining your feelings to a superior.

In B2, you learn that 죄송함 carries a weight of social responsibility. It is not just an apology; it is an admission of social burden. It is often used in professional apologies to emphasize sincerity.

At the C1 level, you recognize 죄송함 as a cultural marker. It reflects the speaker's alignment with social norms. Using this noun demonstrates a high level of linguistic nuance, showing you understand the gravity of the situation.

Mastery of 죄송함 involves understanding its etymological roots in Confucian values. It is a sophisticated way to frame one's remorse. In literature, it is used to describe the psychological landscape of a character burdened by their past actions or social failures.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • It is the noun form of 'to be sorry'.
  • It is used in formal situations.
  • It represents the emotion of regret.
  • It is a key cultural word in Korea.

Hey there! Let's talk about 죄송함. It is a noun that captures the feeling of being sorry. While many people learn the verb 죄송합니다 (I am sorry) first, understanding the noun form helps you grasp the actual emotion behind the words.

Think of it as the 'quality of being sorry.' When you feel a sense of 죄송함, you are acknowledging that you have caused someone trouble or failed to live up to their expectations. It is a very important concept in Korean culture, where maintaining harmony is key!

The word 죄송함 comes from the Hanja characters 罪 (죄, crime/fault) and 悚 (송, to be afraid/fearful). Historically, it combines the idea of having committed a fault with the feeling of shrinking away in fear or shame.

Over centuries, this evolved from a very heavy, legalistic term into a common social expression. It reflects the Confucian influence in Korea, where social hierarchy and respect for others' feelings are paramount. It is fascinating how a word once linked to 'fear of punishment' became a standard way to express polite regret today.

You will mostly see this used in formal or reflective settings. For example, you might hear someone say, '저의 죄송함을 받아주세요' (Please accept my apology/feeling of regret). It is much more formal than just saying 'sorry.'

It is often used when writing letters or during formal speeches. Because it is a noun, it functions as the subject or object of a sentence, allowing you to talk about the concept of your apology rather than just performing the action of apologizing.

1. 죄송함을 금할 길 없다: Cannot help but feel deep regret. Used in very formal apologies.

2. 죄송함이 앞서다: The feeling of regret comes first (before any other reaction).

3. 깊은 죄송함: Deep regret; used in heartfelt letters.

4. 죄송함을 표하다: To express one's regret.

5. 죄송함의 표시: A gesture or token of one's apology.

Grammatically, 죄송함 is formed by adding the nominalizer -ㅁ to the adjective stem 죄송하-. This is a standard way to turn descriptive verbs into nouns in Korean.

Pronunciation-wise, it is pronounced [죄송함]. Ensure the final 'ㅁ' is a clear nasal sound. It rhymes loosely with words ending in '-함' like '편안함' (comfort) or '단정함' (neatness), which also use the same nominalization pattern.

Fun Fact

It evolved from a term for fear of punishment to a polite social apology.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒoʊ.sɒŋ.hæm/

Sounds like 'joe-song-ham'.

US /dʒoʊ.sɔːŋ.hæm/

Sounds like 'joe-song-ham'.

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing the final 'm' sound
  • Stressing the wrong syllable
  • Merging the 'o' sounds

Rhymes With

편안함 단정함 불안함 정중함 따뜻함

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read but requires cultural context.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding of formal structure.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce.

Listening 2/5

Common in media.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

죄송하다 미안하다 사과

Learn Next

송구하다 뉘우치다 유감

Advanced

죄송함을 금할 길 없다

Grammar to Know

Nominalization with -ㅁ

죄송하다 -> 죄송함

Particles -이/가

죄송함이 커요

Particles -을/를

죄송함을 느껴요

Examples by Level

1

죄송함이 느껴져요.

I feel regret.

Noun + particle + verb.

2

죄송함은 중요해요.

3

그의 죄송함이 커요.

4

죄송함이 없어요.

5

죄송함을 알아요.

6

죄송함을 말해요.

7

죄송함이 가득해요.

8

죄송함을 느껴요.

1

죄송함을 표현하세요.

2

그녀의 죄송함이 진심이에요.

3

죄송함이 얼굴에 보여요.

4

죄송함을 전하고 싶어요.

5

죄송함이 깊어요.

6

죄송함이 남아요.

7

죄송함을 배웠어요.

8

죄송함이 커졌어요.

1

죄송함을 금할 수 없습니다.

2

그는 죄송함을 느끼고 있어요.

3

진정한 죄송함이 필요해요.

4

죄송함의 표시로 사과했어요.

5

죄송함이 앞섰습니다.

6

그의 죄송함은 가짜가 아니에요.

7

죄송함을 담아 편지를 썼어요.

8

죄송함이 마음을 무겁게 해요.

1

그의 행동에는 죄송함이 결여되어 있다.

2

죄송함을 표하는 것은 예의입니다.

3

깊은 죄송함을 느끼며 사과드립니다.

4

죄송함의 무게를 아는 사람입니다.

5

사회적 관계에서 죄송함은 중요합니다.

6

그녀는 죄송함을 숨기지 못했다.

7

죄송함이 담긴 눈빛으로 바라보았다.

8

죄송함은 성숙함의 시작입니다.

1

그의 사과에는 깊은 죄송함이 배어 있었다.

2

우리는 죄송함의 미학을 이해해야 한다.

3

죄송함이 단순한 감정을 넘어선 사회적 의무가 되었다.

4

그는 죄송함을 통해 자신의 과오를 직면했다.

5

죄송함의 표현 방식은 문화마다 다르다.

6

그의 말속에는 죄송함이 묻어났다.

7

죄송함을 느끼는 것은 인간의 기본 도리이다.

8

죄송함은 관계 회복의 첫걸음이다.

1

그의 내면에는 씻을 수 없는 죄송함이 자리 잡고 있었다.

2

죄송함이라는 감정은 유교적 전통의 산물이다.

3

죄송함의 역설은 그것이 때로 침묵으로 더 잘 표현된다는 것이다.

4

그는 죄송함을 통해 자신의 실존적 고뇌를 드러냈다.

5

죄송함은 단순히 사과하는 것을 넘어선 윤리적 성찰이다.

6

그의 글에는 죄송함이 절절하게 배어 있다.

7

죄송함의 깊이는 상대방에 대한 존중과 비례한다.

8

그는 죄송함을 통해 비로소 평온을 찾았다.

Common Collocations

죄송함을 느끼다
죄송함을 표하다
깊은 죄송함
죄송함이 앞서다
진정한 죄송함
죄송함의 표시
죄송함을 전하다
죄송함이 남다
죄송함을 알다
죄송함이 가득하다

Idioms & Expressions

"죄송함을 금할 길 없다"

Cannot stop feeling regret.

실수를 해서 죄송함을 금할 길 없습니다.

formal

"죄송함이 앞서다"

Feeling regret before anything else.

감사보다 죄송함이 앞섭니다.

neutral

"죄송함을 표하다"

To express regret.

공식적으로 죄송함을 표했습니다.

formal

"죄송함의 무게"

The gravity of the regret.

그는 죄송함의 무게를 몰라요.

neutral

"죄송함이 묻어나다"

Regret is visible in one's tone/manner.

그의 말에 죄송함이 묻어났어요.

neutral

"죄송함을 사다"

To buy/atone for one's regret.

죄송함을 사기 위해 선물을 샀다.

casual

Easily Confused

죄송함 vs 죄송하다

Looks similar.

One is an adjective, one is a noun.

죄송합니다 vs 죄송함.

죄송함 vs 미안함

Same meaning.

미안함 is less formal.

미안함 vs 죄송함.

죄송함 vs 사과

Both mean apology.

사과 is the act, 죄송함 is the feeling.

사과를 하다 vs 죄송함을 느끼다.

죄송함 vs 후회

Both involve regret.

후회 is regret for past actions.

후회 vs 죄송함.

Sentence Patterns

B1

Subject + 죄송함을 + Verb

그는 죄송함을 표했습니다.

A2

Subject + 죄송함 + Verb

죄송함이 느껴집니다.

A2

Adjective + 죄송함

깊은 죄송함.

A1

죄송함 + Particle + Verb

죄송함은 중요합니다.

B1

Noun + of + 죄송함

죄송함의 표시.

Word Family

Nouns

죄송 Apology (short form)

Adjectives

죄송하다 To be sorry

Related

사과 Synonym for apology (action)

How to Use It

frequency

8

Formality Scale

Very Formal Formal Neutral Casual

Common Mistakes

Using '죄송함' as a verb. → Use '죄송합니다' or '죄송해요'.
죄송함 is a noun, not a verb.
Using '죄송함' with casual friends. → Use '미안해'.
죄송함 is too formal for casual friends.
Confusing with '죄송하다'. → Know the difference between noun and adjective.
One is a thing/concept, one is a state.
Overusing in every sentence. → Use it only when necessary.
It loses impact if used too much.
Ignoring the particle. → Use -을/를 or -이/가 correctly.
Nouns need particles to function.

Tips

💡

The -함 Rule

Any adjective ending in -하다 can become a noun with -함.

💡

Formal Contexts

Always use it in professional settings.

🌍

Respect

Using this shows respect for the other person.

💡

Particles

Remember to attach -이/가 or -을/를.

💡

Clear Nasal

Make sure the final 'm' is distinct.

💡

Don't conjugate

It's a noun, don't add verb endings.

💡

Hanja Roots

It means fear of crime.

💡

Sentence Building

Practice with '느끼다' (to feel).

💡

Journaling

Write about a time you felt sorry.

🌍

Social Harmony

It is key to Korean social life.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Joe (the name) is singing (song) with a ham (ham) because he is sorry.

Visual Association

A person bowing deeply.

Word Web

Apology Regret Politeness Culture

Challenge

Write a sentence using '죄송함' today.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean

Original meaning: Crime/Fault + Fear

Cultural Context

Highly valued in Korean culture as a sign of maturity.

Similar to 'remorse' or 'deep regret'.

Used in many K-drama apology scenes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At work

  • 죄송함을 표합니다
  • 깊은 죄송함
  • 죄송함의 뜻을 전합니다

In a letter

  • 죄송함을 담아
  • 죄송함이 큽니다
  • 진심 어린 죄송함

During a speech

  • 죄송함을 금할 길 없습니다
  • 죄송함이 앞섭니다
  • 죄송함을 느낍니다

Daily life

  • 죄송함이 느껴져요
  • 죄송함을 알아요
  • 죄송함이 가득해요

Conversation Starters

"How do you express your 죄송함 to others?"

"Is it hard to feel 죄송함?"

"When was the last time you felt deep 죄송함?"

"Why is 죄송함 important in relationships?"

"How does 죄송함 differ from regret?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you felt strong 죄송함.

How do you show 죄송함 without words?

Is it better to feel 죄송함 or to apologize?

Describe what 죄송함 means to you personally.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

No, it is a noun.

It is usually too formal.

죄송함 is more formal.

Use 죄송합니다.

Yes, very often in formal letters.

No, Korean nouns don't use plurals like English.

Yes, it comes from Hanja.

Yes, it is perfect for speeches.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

그의 ___이 느껴집니다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 죄송함

The context implies feeling sorry.

multiple choice A2

Which is a noun?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 죄송함

The -함 ending makes it a noun.

true false B1

죄송함 is a verb.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It is a noun.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Matching nouns to meanings.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Adjective + Subject + Verb.

Score: /5

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