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부담감

A2 noun 11 min read

부담감

budamgam

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 부담감 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 부담감 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of 부담감 (budamgam) as a 'heavy feeling' in your heart or mind. Imagine you have a lot of homework to do, and you feel a bit worried about it. That worry is a kind of 부담감. In very simple Korean, you can say '부담감이 있어요' (There is a sense of burden). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember that 부담 (budam) is like a heavy bag you are carrying, and 감 (gam) is the feeling of that heavy bag. You might feel this when you have to speak Korean in front of your teacher! It is a very common word because Korean people talk about their feelings and social pressures quite often. Even as a beginner, knowing this word helps you understand why someone might say 'No, thank you' to a very big gift. They are not being mean; they just have a 'heavy feeling' about how to pay you back later. Focus on the phrase '부담감을 느껴요' (I feel a sense of burden) as your primary sentence pattern. You can use it when you have too much work or when someone is being too nice to you in a way that makes you feel shy or pressured. It's a key word for expressing basic social discomfort in a polite way.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 부담감 to describe social situations more accurately. You should understand that this word is often used when someone does something nice for you. For example, if a friend buys you a very expensive dinner, you might feel 부담감 because you feel you must buy them an equally expensive dinner later. This is a very important part of Korean culture called reciprocity. You can use sentences like '친구의 선물이 부담감이 됐어요' (My friend's gift became a sense of burden). You should also learn the verb 주다 (to give). '부담감을 주지 마세요' means 'Please don't give me a sense of burden' or 'Don't pressure me.' This is a useful phrase when someone is asking you for too many favors or pushing you to do something you aren't ready for. At this level, you should also distinguish between 부담 (the burden itself) and 부담감 (the feeling). For instance, '공부 부담' is the burden of studying, while '공부 부담감' is the stress you feel because of that study burden. Practice using adjectives like '큰' (big) or '작은' (small) to describe the feeling: '큰 부담감을 느껴요' (I feel a big sense of burden). This will help you express the intensity of your emotions in daily conversations about work, school, and friends.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 부담감 in more complex sentence structures and understand its role in professional and academic settings. You can start using it with more specific verbs like 덜다 (to lessen), 해소하다 (to resolve), or 극복하다 (to overcome). For example, '스트레칭을 하면 마음의 부담감을 덜 수 있어요' (If you stretch, you can lessen the sense of burden in your mind). You should also recognize the word in news reports or articles about social issues, such as the 부담감 felt by young people looking for jobs or the 경제적 부담감 (economic sense of burden) of rising prices. At this stage, you should also be comfortable using the related adjective 부담스럽다 in conversation, which is often more common than the noun. For example, '그 자리가 좀 부담스러워요' (That position/seat is a bit burdensome/pressuring). You can also use 부담감 to describe the weight of expectations: '부모님의 기대가 큰 부담감으로 다가왔다' (My parents' expectations came to me as a great sense of burden). This level requires you to understand the nuance that 부담감 is not just 'stress' (스트레스), but stress specifically linked to an obligation or a task. It's about the 'weight' of what you are supposed to do.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the psychological and cultural depth of 부담감. You can use it to discuss complex interpersonal dynamics and societal pressures. For instance, you might discuss the 'collective 부담감' felt by a team when a project is failing, or the 'psychological 부담감' of maintaining a certain image on social media. You should be able to use advanced collocations such as 부담감을 떨쳐내다 (to shake off a sense of burden) or 부담감을 안고 살아가다 (to live while carrying a sense of burden). At this level, you can also contrast 부담감 with 책임감 (sense of responsibility) in a nuanced way, explaining how one can lead to the other in a professional environment. You should also be able to understand the word in literary or formal contexts, where it might be used to describe historical or national burdens. For example, '역사적 사명에 대한 부담감' (The sense of burden regarding a historical mission). Your ability to use the particle -에 대한 (about/regarding) with 부담감 will allow you to specify exactly what is causing the pressure. '결과에 대한 부담감 때문에 잠을 못 잤어요' (I couldn't sleep because of the sense of burden regarding the results). This demonstrates a high level of expressive capability, allowing you to discuss mental health and social expectations with native-like precision.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 부담감 should extend to its subtle use in literature, high-level business negotiations, and academic discourse. You should be able to analyze how the word functions in various 'registers.' In a formal speech, a leader might speak of the '막중한 부담감' (heavy sense of burden) they feel in their position to evoke empathy and show dedication. In a psychological context, you might discuss how 부담감 serves as a defense mechanism or a motivator. You should also be familiar with more obscure synonyms and related terms like 중압감 (crushing pressure) or 압박감 (compression pressure) and know exactly when to swap 부담감 for them to change the tone of your writing. For instance, '중압감' might be used for a world-class athlete, while '부담감' is more suitable for a student's daily life. You should also be able to use the word in abstract ways, such as '존재의 부담감' (the burden of existence), reflecting on philosophical themes. At this level, you should also be sensitive to the 'passive' and 'active' ways of expressing burden—knowing when to use '부담감을 느끼다' (to feel) versus '부담감이 작용하다' (a sense of burden is at work/acting upon someone). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the subtle power dynamics that 부담감 implies in Korean hierarchy and social etiquette.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for the word 부담감. You can use it with absolute precision in any context, from poetic expression to technical psychological analysis. You understand the historical evolution of the concept of '부담' in Korean society, from traditional Confucian obligations to modern-day capitalist pressures. You can expertly navigate the fine line between '부담감' as a negative stressor and '부담감' as a necessary social glue that ensures mutual respect and effort. In writing, you can use the word to create sophisticated metaphors, perhaps comparing 부담감 to an invisible shadow or an anchor. You are also capable of identifying and using the word in its most formal Hanja-derived contexts, understanding the nuances of each character (負, 擔, 感). You can discuss the 'phenomenology of 부담감' in Korean modernism or analyze how K-drama scripts use the concept to create tension between characters. Your mastery allows you to use the word to explain the 'Korean psyche' to others, detailing how the fear of causing 부담감 to others (남에게 부담을 주다) dictates much of Korean social behavior, from gift-giving to communication styles. You can also play with the word in creative writing, perhaps personifying 부담감 as a character in a story, demonstrating a total command of the language's emotional and cultural resonance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

부담감 in 30 Seconds

부담감 means 'sense of burden' or 'feeling of pressure' resulting from responsibility or social expectations.
It is a combination of '부담' (burden) and '-감' (feeling), focusing on the internal emotional state.
Commonly used with verbs like '느끼다' (to feel), '주다' (to give), and '덜다' (to lessen).
Essential for navigating Korean social etiquette, especially regarding reciprocity and hierarchical relationships.

The Korean word 부담감 (budamgam) is a deeply nuanced noun that translates most closely to a 'sense of burden,' 'feeling of pressure,' or 'psychological weight.' It is composed of two primary parts: 부담 (budam), which refers to a burden, responsibility, or obligation, and 감 (gam), a suffix meaning 'feeling' or 'sense.' While the word 'burden' in English often carries a negative connotation of something unwanted or heavy, 부담감 in Korean culture is frequently tied to social reciprocity, interpersonal relationships, and the internal struggle to meet expectations. It is not just about physical labor but the mental strain of knowing one must return a favor, perform well, or live up to a standard. In a society where nunchi (social tact) and collective harmony are paramount, 부담감 is a constant companion in daily interactions.

Social Reciprocity: In Korea, receiving a gift that is too expensive often triggers a strong 부담감. This isn't because the recipient is ungrateful, but because the social 'debt' created by the gift feels heavy to carry until it is repaid.

너무 비싼 선물은 저에게 부담감을 줘요. (An overly expensive gift gives me a sense of burden.)

You will encounter this word in a variety of contexts, from academic settings where a student feels the weight of their parents' expectations, to the workplace where a new project brings a sense of professional pressure. It is also common in romantic contexts; if one person shows too much affection too early, the other might feel 부담감, leading to a desire to pull away. This psychological aspect is crucial: 부담감 describes the internal state rather than the external task itself. For instance, two people might have the same job, but only one might feel a high level of 부담감 because of their personal temperament or specific life circumstances.

Academic Pressure: Students in Korea often talk about the 부담감 of the CSAT (Suneung) exam, which represents years of expectation from family and society.

시험을 앞두고 엄청난 부담감을 느끼고 있어요. (I am feeling an immense sense of pressure ahead of the exam.)

Understanding 부담감 is key to understanding Korean social dynamics. It explains why people might decline a generous offer or why they work so hard to maintain their reputation. It is the invisible force that maintains the balance of 'give and take' in relationships. When the balance is tipped, 부담감 is the emotional signal that something needs to be corrected. In modern Korean slang, you might hear people say '부담스럽다' (to be burdensome/pressure-inducing), which is the adjectival form often used to describe people or situations that are 'too much' or make one feel uncomfortable due to excessive attention or expectations.

Workplace Dynamics: A promotion might bring a higher salary, but it also brings a significant increase in 부담감 regarding team management and performance results.

팀장이라는 자리가 주는 부담감이 커요. (The sense of responsibility that comes with being a team leader is great.)

Using 부담감 correctly requires pairing it with the right verbs. The most common verb is 느끼다 (to feel). You 'feel' a sense of burden. Another common construction is 부담감을 주다 (to give/inflict a sense of burden), used when a person or situation makes someone else feel pressured. Conversely, 부담감을 덜다 (to lessen/reduce a sense of burden) is used when someone helps alleviate that pressure. Understanding these collocations allows you to express a wide range of emotional states and social situations with precision.

Feeling the Weight: When the subject is the one experiencing the emotion, use 느끼다. This is the most standard way to express internal pressure.

그는 주변의 기대에 부담감을 느꼈다. (He felt a sense of burden from the expectations of those around him.)

In grammatical terms, 부담감 functions as a noun that can be the object of a sentence. It can be modified by adjectives to describe the scale or nature of the burden. For example, 큰 부담감 (a big sense of burden), 심한 부담감 (a severe sense of burden), or 막중한 부담감 (a heavy/momentous sense of burden). These qualifiers help convey the intensity of the pressure. In more formal or literary contexts, you might see 부담감을 안다 (to carry/embrace a sense of burden), implying a more enduring or noble kind of responsibility.

Causing Pressure: If you want to say someone is making you feel pressured, you use 주다. This is often used in interpersonal conflicts or when discussing management styles.

상사가 직원들에게 너무 많은 부담감을 주지 않았으면 좋겠어요. (I wish the boss wouldn't give the employees so much pressure.)

Another useful pattern involves the verb 가지다 (to have/hold). While 느끼다 describes the act of feeling, 가지는 것 can describe the state of possessing that feeling or responsibility. For instance, '책임에 대한 부담감을 가지다' (To have a sense of burden regarding responsibility). You can also use the verb 이겨내다 (to overcome) or 극복하다 (to conquer) when discussing how someone deals with their 부담감. This is common in motivational contexts or sports commentary where athletes must perform under pressure.

Relieving the Weight: To describe the process of making things easier, use 덜다 or 해소하다 (to resolve/relieve).

친구와 고민을 나누니 부담감이 좀 덜어지는 것 같아요. (Sharing my worries with a friend seems to lessen the sense of burden a bit.)

You will hear 부담감 everywhere in Korea, from the high-pressure world of K-pop to the quiet corners of a neighborhood café. In the entertainment industry, idols frequently use this word in interviews when discussing their 'comeback' albums. They talk about the 부담감 of living up to their previous success or the expectations of their global fandom. It is a word that humanizes these stars, showing the psychological cost of their fame. Similarly, in sports, a player taking a decisive penalty kick will be described by commentators as carrying a 'tremendous 부담감.'

Media & Interviews: Celebrities often mention feeling 부담감 when they take on a new, challenging role in a drama or movie.

첫 주연이라 부담감이 컸지만 최선을 다했습니다. (It was my first lead role, so the sense of pressure was great, but I did my best.)

In everyday life, you'll hear this word among friends when discussing dating and social obligations. If a friend is being set up on a 'blind date' (소개팅), they might express 부담감 if the other person is described as 'too perfect' or 'too eager.' In Korean dating culture, the pace of the relationship is often managed to avoid giving the other person 부담감. If someone asks for a favor that is too big, the polite way to decline is often to explain that the request creates too much 부담감. This allows the person to say no without being rude, as it focuses on their own internal feeling rather than the other person's behavior.

Dating & Relationships: When someone is too pushy in a relationship, the other person often feels a 'psychological burden' to respond.

그 사람이 너무 자주 연락해서 부담감을 느껴요. (I feel pressured because that person contacts me too often.)

In the corporate world, 부담감 is a key part of the discourse around work-life balance. Employees might talk about the 부담감 of having to attend after-work dinners (회식) or the 부담감 of being the first to leave the office. It's also heard in financial contexts; for example, the 부담감 of a high monthly rent or a large loan. In news reports, you might hear about the 'economic 부담감' on young people due to rising housing prices. This versatility makes it one of the most useful words for expressing the stressors of modern Korean life.

Economic Context: High interest rates increase the financial 'burden' felt by households with debt.

대출 이자가 올라서 경제적 부담감이 커졌어요. (The economic sense of burden has increased because loan interest rates went up.)

One of the most common mistakes learners make is confusing 부담 (budam) with 부담감 (budamgam). While they are related, 부담 refers to the actual burden or the act of bearing it, whereas 부담감 refers specifically to the *feeling* or *sense* of that burden. For example, if you are paying for dinner, the cost is the 부담. The stress you feel about that cost is the 부담감. Using 부담감 when you mean the physical or financial weight itself can sound slightly unnatural in specific contexts.

The 'Feeling' Suffix: Remember that -감 always denotes a psychological state. Don't use 부담감 to describe the object itself.

비용이 부담감이에요 (X) -> 비용이 부담이에요 (O). (The cost is a burden.)

Another error is using the wrong verb. Beginners often try to use 있다 (to be/exist) with 부담감 in a way that sounds clunky. While '부담감이 있다' is grammatically possible, it sounds much more natural to use 느끼다 (to feel) or 가지다 (to have/hold). Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse 부담감 with 책임감 (sense of responsibility). While they often go together, 책임감 is usually positive (a virtue), whereas 부담감 is almost always the stress resulting from that responsibility.

Adjective Confusion: Learners often say '부담감을 해요' (I do burden-feeling). This is incorrect. You must 'feel' it (느끼다).

저는 부담감을 느껴요. (I feel a sense of burden.)

Finally, be careful with the intensity. Since 부담감 is a very common word, using words like '죽을 것 같은' (like I'm going to die) might be too dramatic for minor situations. However, using '약간의' (a little bit of) 부담감 is a perfect way to express slight hesitation or mild pressure. Also, avoid using 부담감 when you are simply tired (피곤하다) or stressed (스트레스 받다) in a general sense. 부담감 always implies a specific source—a task, a person, or an expectation—that is weighing on you.

Specific Source: Always ensure there is an implied 'source' for the feeling. You don't just feel '부담감' for no reason; it's usually 'because of' something.

그의 친절이 저에게 부담감으로 다가왔어요. (His kindness came to me as a sense of burden.)

To truly master Korean, you need to know how 부담감 differs from its synonyms. The most common related word is 압박감 (abbakgam). While 부담감 is a sense of weight or responsibility, 압박감 is more about 'pressure' or 'compression.' It feels more urgent and forceful. For example, a runner about to start a race feels 압박감, whereas a student who received an expensive scholarship feels 부담감 to do well. One is like a weight on your shoulders, the other is like someone pushing you from all sides.

부담감 vs. 압박감: 부담감: Psychological weight of obligation/responsibility.
압박감: Acute pressure to perform or a feeling of being squeezed.

마감 시간이 다가오자 압박감이 심해졌다. (As the deadline approached, the sense of pressure became severe.)

Another similar word is 책임감 (chaegimgam). As mentioned before, this is the 'sense of responsibility.' It is often viewed as a positive trait. A person with a strong 책임감 is reliable. However, having too much 책임감 can lead to 부담감. You might also hear 의무감 (uimugam), which is a 'sense of duty.' This is more formal and implies a legal or moral requirement. You visit your relatives on holidays out of 의무감, even if you'd rather stay home.

Secondary Alternatives: 중압감 (jung-abbakgam): A very heavy, crushing sense of pressure (often used in high-stakes politics or sports).
거부감 (geobugam): A sense of resistance or repulsion (different from burden, but used when you don't like something).

그 정책에 대해 국민들이 거부감을 느끼고 있다. (The citizens are feeling a sense of resistance toward that policy.)

In casual conversation, instead of saying you feel 부담감, you can simply use the adjective 부담스럽다 (budamseureopda). For example, '그 질문은 좀 부담스러워요' (That question is a bit burdensome/makes me uncomfortable). This is much more common in spoken Korean than the noun form. Using the noun 부담감 often makes the sentence sound a bit more formal, reflective, or serious, like you are analyzing your own emotions.

Formal vs. Informal: Formal: 저는 막중한 부담감을 느끼고 있습니다. (I am feeling a heavy sense of burden.)
Informal: 아, 좀 부담스러워요. (Ah, it's a bit much/I'm pressured.)

너무 큰 관심은 가끔 부담스럽게 느껴져요. (Too much interest sometimes feels burdensome.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 負 (bu) also appears in the word for 'defeat' (패배 - pae-bae, where 'pae' is to lose and 'bae' is related to 'bu'), implying that a burden is something you are 'under' or 'beaten by' if it's too heavy.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pu.dam.ɡam/

US /bu.dam.ɡam/

In Korean, there is no strong word stress like in English. Each syllable (bu-dam-gam) should be pronounced with relatively equal length and pitch.

Rhymes With

자신감 (jasin-gam) - confidence 책임감 (chaegim-gam) - responsibility 우월감 (uwol-gam) - superiority 열등감 (yeoldeung-gam) - inferiority 안도감 (ando-gam) - relief 소속감 (sosok-gam) - sense of belonging 거부감 (geobu-gam) - resistance 성취감 (seongchwi-gam) - sense of achievement

Common Errors

Pronouncing the first 'b' as a hard English 'b' or a very airy 'p'.
Making the 'u' sound like 'uh' (as in 'bud'). It should be 'oo'.
Extending the 'm' sounds too long between syllables.
Putting stress on the last syllable '-gam'.
Pronouncing 'gam' like the English word 'gam' (rhyming with 'ham'). It should be 'gahm'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in text, but nuances in literature require B2+ level.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of specific verb collocations like '덜다' or '토로하다'.

Speaking 3/5

Adjective form '부담스럽다' is more natural for beginners in speech.

Listening 2/5

Distinct pronunciation makes it relatively easy to hear in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

마음 (Mind/Heart) 무겁다 (Heavy) 느끼다 (To feel) 주다 (To give) 일 (Work/Task)

Learn Next

책임감 (Sense of responsibility) 압박감 (Sense of pressure) 해방감 (Sense of liberation) 거부감 (Sense of resistance) 자신감 (Self-confidence)

Advanced

중압감 (Crushing pressure) 곤혹감 (Perplexity) 자괴감 (Sense of shame/self-loathing) 박탈감 (Sense of deprivation)

Grammar to Know

-기 때문에 (Because of doing...)

잘해야 한다는 생각 때문에 부담감을 느껴요.

-을/를 위해(서) (For the sake of...)

부담감을 덜기 위해서 명상을 해요.

-어/아 보이다 (To look like...)

그 친구는 부담감이 많아 보여요.

-게 되다 (To end up/become...)

갑자기 큰 일을 맡게 되어 부담감이 생겼어요.

-지 않도록 (So that... not...)

부담감을 느끼지 않도록 천천히 하세요.

Examples by Level

공부가 많아서 부담감이 있어요.

I have a sense of burden because there is a lot of study.

Uses the basic 'Noun + 이/가 있어요' pattern.

부담감을 느끼지 마세요.

Please don't feel a sense of burden.

Uses '-지 마세요' for a polite negative command.

한국어 말하기는 부담감이 커요.

Speaking Korean has a big sense of burden.

Adjective '크다' (to be big) modifies '부담감'.

선물이 너무 비싸면 부담감이 생겨요.

If a gift is too expensive, a sense of burden arises.

Verb '생기다' means 'to arise' or 'to be created'.

저는 지금 부담감을 느껴요.

I feel a sense of burden now.

Direct object marker '을' with the verb '느끼다'.

부담감 때문에 힘들어요.

It's hard because of the sense of burden.

'때문에' expresses a reason or cause.

작은 부담감은 괜찮아요.

A small sense of burden is okay.

'작은' is the attributive form of '작다' (small).

선생님 앞에서 부담감을 느껴요.

I feel a sense of burden in front of the teacher.

'앞에서' means 'in front of'.

새로운 일을 시작하니 부담감이 드네요.

Since I'm starting a new job, I'm getting a sense of burden.

The verb '들다' is often used for feelings entering the mind.

친구에게 부담감을 주고 싶지 않아요.

I don't want to give my friend a sense of burden.

'-고 싶지 않아요' expresses 'don't want to'.

너무 많은 관심은 저에게 부담감이에요.

Too much interest is a sense of burden to me.

'-에게' indicates the person affected by the feeling.

시험 결과에 대한 부담감이 커요.

The sense of burden regarding the exam results is big.

'-에 대한' means 'about' or 'regarding'.

부담감을 덜기 위해 친구와 이야기했어요.

I talked with a friend to lessen the sense of burden.

'-기 위해' means 'in order to'.

그 사람은 나에게 부담감을 주는 말을 해요.

That person says things that give me a sense of burden.

Attributive form '-는' modifying '말' (words).

첫 데이트라서 부담감을 많이 느껴요.

Because it's the first date, I feel a lot of burden/pressure.

'-라서' indicates a reason (because it is...).

부담감을 가지고 일하면 실수를 해요.

If you work with a sense of burden, you make mistakes.

'-면' is the conditional 'if'.

경제적인 부담감을 해소할 방법이 필요해요.

We need a way to resolve the economic sense of burden.

The word '해소하다' (to resolve/relieve) is a B1 level verb.

막중한 부담감을 이겨내고 성공했어요.

I overcame the heavy sense of burden and succeeded.

'이겨내다' means to overcome or triumph over.

상대방이 부담감을 느끼지 않도록 조심하세요.

Be careful so that the other person doesn't feel burdened.

'-도록' means 'so that' or 'in order to'.

가족의 기대가 큰 부담감으로 작용했습니다.

Family expectations acted as a great sense of burden.

'작용하다' means to act or function as.

그는 부담감을 떨쳐내기 위해 여행을 떠났다.

He went on a trip to shake off the sense of burden.

'떨쳐내다' is a vivid verb meaning 'to shake off'.

심리적인 부담감이 신체 건강에도 영향을 줍니다.

Psychological burden also affects physical health.

'영향을 주다' means 'to influence/affect'.

면접을 앞두고 부담감을 가지는 것은 당연해요.

It's natural to have a sense of burden before an interview.

'-는 것은 당연해요' means 'it is natural/obvious that...'

어려운 부탁을 받으면 누구나 부담감을 느껴요.

Anyone feels burdened when they receive a difficult request.

'누구나' means 'anyone' or 'everyone'.

팀장으로서 프로젝트의 성패에 대한 부담감이 큽니다.

As a team leader, the burden regarding the project's success or failure is great.

'-로서' indicates a status or role (as a...).

사회적 시선 때문에 생기는 부담감을 무시할 수 없어요.

You can't ignore the burden that arises because of social scrutiny.

'무시할 수 없다' means 'cannot ignore'.

그 배우는 전작의 흥행 이후 차기작에 대한 부담감을 토로했다.

The actor expressed the burden regarding the next work after the success of the previous one.

'토로하다' means to speak one's mind or express feelings openly.

지나친 책임감은 때때로 독이 되는 부담감을 낳습니다.

Excessive sense of responsibility sometimes gives birth to a poisonous burden.

'낳다' (to give birth to) is used here metaphorically.

부담감을 긍정적인 에너지로 승화시키는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to sublimate the sense of burden into positive energy.

'승화시키다' means to sublimate or transform into something higher.

그는 주변의 시선을 의식하며 상당한 부담감 속에서 살았다.

He lived in considerable burden while being conscious of the eyes around him.

'-며' indicates simultaneous actions.

결혼에 대한 부담감으로 인해 비혼을 선택하는 청년들이 늘고 있다.

The number of young people choosing not to marry due to the burden of marriage is increasing.

'-로 인해' means 'due to' or 'because of'.

부담감을 덜어주기 위한 정부의 정책이 발표되었다.

A government policy to lessen the sense of burden was announced.

'-기 위한' modifies the following noun '정책' (policy).

권력의 정점에 선 이가 느끼는 고독과 부담감은 상상을 초월한다.

The loneliness and burden felt by one at the pinnacle of power transcend imagination.

'상상을 초월하다' is an idiomatic expression for 'beyond imagination'.

작가는 창작의 고통과 함께 대중의 기대라는 부담감을 안고 집필에 몰두했다.

The writer immersed themselves in writing, carrying the burden of public expectation along with the pain of creation.

'안고' literally means 'hugging' but here means 'carrying' a feeling.

그의 발언은 팀원들에게 심리적 부담감을 전가하려는 의도로 보였다.

His remarks seemed intended to shift the psychological burden onto the team members.

'전가하다' means to shift (blame or responsibility) onto someone else.

막중한 임무를 맡게 된 그는 한동안 부담감에 짓눌려 지냈다.

Having been assigned a heavy task, he lived for a while being crushed by the sense of burden.

'짓눌리다' is the passive form of '짓누르다' (to crush/press down).

예술가에게 있어 전통은 계승해야 할 유산이자 동시에 극복해야 할 부담감이다.

For an artist, tradition is both a heritage to be inherited and a burden to be overcome.

'A이자 동시에 B' means 'both A and at the same time B'.

완벽주의 성향은 사소한 일에도 과도한 부담감을 느끼게 만든다.

Perfectionist tendencies make one feel excessive burden even for trivial matters.

'-게 만들다' is a causative construction meaning 'to make (someone) do'.

그는 실패에 대한 부담감을 내색하지 않으려 애썼다.

He tried hard not to show the sense of burden regarding failure.

'내색하다' means to show one's feelings on one's face.

부담감을 원동력으로 삼아 한계를 돌파하는 이들도 있다.

There are those who use the sense of burden as a driving force to break through their limits.

'-을 원동력으로 삼다' means 'to use (something) as a driving force'.

현대인의 실존적 불안은 끊임없는 자기 증명의 부담감에서 기인한다.

The existential anxiety of modern people stems from the burden of constant self-proof.

'기인하다' means 'to result from' or 'to originate in'.

역사적 부채 의식은 후대에게 씻을 수 없는 부담감으로 잔존한다.

A sense of historical debt remains as an indelible burden for future generations.

'잔존하다' means 'to remain' or 'to persist'.

지도자의 결단은 수많은 생명의 무게를 짊어진 고독한 부담감의 산물이다.

A leader's decision is the product of a lonely burden, carrying the weight of countless lives.

'짊어지다' means 'to carry on one's shoulders' (literally or metaphorically).

그 철학자는 인간이 자유라는 형벌 아래 존재론적 부담감을 느낀다고 주장했다.

The philosopher argued that humans feel ontological burden under the punishment of freedom.

'존재론적' means 'ontological' (relating to the nature of being).

사회의 구조적 모순은 개인에게 감당하기 어려운 삶의 부담감을 전가한다.

Structural contradictions in society shift the difficult-to-bear burden of life onto individuals.

'구조적 모순' refers to 'structural contradictions/inconsistencies'.

전통의 무게에 짓눌린 예술가는 종종 창작의 원천을 부담감에서 찾기도 한다.

Artists crushed by the weight of tradition often find the source of creation within that very burden.

'종종' means 'often' or 'frequently'.

인간관계의 유대감은 때로 상호 간의 부담감이라는 토대 위에 구축된다.

The bond of human relationships is sometimes built on the foundation of mutual burden.

'토대 위에 구축되다' means 'to be built upon a foundation'.

그의 침묵은 말로 다 할 수 없는 비극적 부담감의 발로였다.

His silence was an expression of a tragic burden that could not be fully put into words.

'발로' means 'expression' or 'manifestation' of a feeling.

Common Collocations

부담감을 느끼다

부담감을 주다

부담감을 덜다

부담감을 가지다

부담감이 크다

부담감을 떨치다

부담감을 해소하다

부담감을 안다

심리적 부담감

경제적 부담감

Common Phrases

부담 갖지 마세요

— Don't feel burdened; don't feel pressured. Used when giving a gift or offering help.

그냥 작은 선물이니까 부담 갖지 마세요.

부담감이 백배다

— The sense of burden is a hundredfold (extremely high). A common hyperbolic expression.

부모님이 보고 계시니까 부담감이 백배예요.

부담감을 토로하다

— To express or vent one's sense of burden. Used in interviews or serious talks.

그는 은퇴를 앞두고 그간의 부담감을 토로했다.

부담감이 앞서다

— The sense of burden comes first (before joy or excitement).

합격 소식에 기쁨보다 부담감이 앞섰다.

부담감을 짊어지다

— To shoulder a sense of burden. Implies a heavy, long-term responsibility.

가장의 부담감을 짊어지고 열심히 일한다.

부담감을 이겨내다

— To overcome the sense of burden. Used in motivational contexts.

선수는 부담감을 이겨내고 금메달을 땄다.

부담감을 느끼게 하다

— To make someone feel burdened. Often used when reflecting on one's own behavior.

혹시 제가 부담감을 느끼게 했나요?

부담감에서 벗어나다

— To escape from the sense of burden. Used when a stressful period ends.

드디어 모든 부담감에서 벗어나 자유로워졌다.

부담감을 안겨주다

— To grant/give a sense of burden to someone. Similar to '주다' but more formal.

그의 갑작스러운 제안은 나에게 부담감을 안겨주었다.

부담감이 작용하다

— A sense of burden is at play or acting upon a situation.

그의 결정에는 사회적 부담감이 크게 작용했다.

Often Confused With

부담감 vs 부담

부담 is the burden/cost itself, while 부담감 is the feeling of that burden. You pay a '부담', but you feel a '부담감'.

부담감 vs 압박감

압박감 is more about 'pressure' to act quickly or perfectly, while 부담감 is the 'weight' of the responsibility.

부담감 vs 책임감

책임감 is the positive sense of duty, whereas 부담감 is the stress that comes from that duty.

Idioms & Expressions

"어깨가 무겁다"

— Literally 'shoulders are heavy.' It means to carry a heavy burden of responsibility.

팀장이 되니 어깨가 무겁네요.

Neutral/Common

"발을 뻗고 자다"

— Literally 'to sleep with legs stretched out.' It means to sleep soundly without any worries or burdens.

이제 빚을 다 갚아서 발을 뻗고 잘 수 있어요.

Informal/Common

"마음의 짐을 덜다"

— To lessen the burden of the heart. To resolve a nagging worry or guilt.

사과를 하고 나니 마음의 짐을 던 것 같아요.

Neutral

"가시방석에 앉다"

— Literally 'to sit on a cushion of thorns.' To feel extremely uncomfortable due to social pressure or burden.

불편한 사람들과 있으니 가시방석에 앉은 기분이에요.

Common

"등에 짐을 지다"

— To carry a load on one's back. Metaphor for carrying life's burdens.

누구나 인생의 짐을 지고 살아갑니다.

Literary

"숨이 턱 막히다"

— Literally 'breath is blocked at the chin.' To feel so pressured or burdened that you can't breathe.

할 일이 너무 많아 숨이 턱 막혀요.

Informal/Vivid

"천근만근"

— Literally 'a thousand geun and ten thousand geun' (units of weight). Used to describe a body or heart feeling extremely heavy with burden.

피로와 부담감에 몸이 천근만근이에요.

Common

"목을 조이다"

— Literally 'to strangle the neck.' To feel that pressure or burden is suffocating you.

할부금이 매달 내 목을 조이는 것 같다.

Informal/Strong

"앞이 캄캄하다"

— Literally 'it is pitch black ahead.' To feel overwhelmed by the burden of an uncertain or difficult future.

사업이 망해서 앞이 캄캄해요.

Common

"등골이 휘다"

— Literally 'the spine bends.' To suffer from a crushing burden, usually financial or labor-related.

아이들 교육비 때문에 부모님 등골이 휘어요.

Informal/Strong

Easily Confused

부담감 vs 거부감

Both end in -감 and describe negative feelings.

거부감 is a feeling of 'resistance' or 'dislike' toward something new or different, while 부담감 is a feeling of 'pressure' or 'weight'.

새로운 문화에 대해 거부감을 느껴요. (I feel resistance toward the new culture.)

부담감 vs 자괴감

Both are heavy psychological states.

자괴감 is 'self-loathing' or 'shame' after a failure, while 부담감 is the 'pressure' felt before or during a task.

실수하고 나서 자괴감이 들었어요. (I felt a sense of shame after making a mistake.)

부담감 vs 중압감

Very similar meanings related to pressure.

중압감 is specifically 'heavy' (중) pressure, used for extreme situations, while 부담감 is the general term for any sense of burden.

대통령은 막중한 중압감을 느낀다. (The president feels heavy crushing pressure.)

부담감 vs 피로감

Both describe a state of being 'weighed down'.

피로감 is 'fatigue' or 'tiredness', while 부담감 is 'psychological pressure'.

장시간 운전으로 피로감을 느꼈다. (I felt fatigue from driving for a long time.)

부담감 vs 열등감

Both are negative social feelings.

열등감 is 'inferiority complex' (feeling worse than others), while 부담감 is just the 'pressure' of a situation.

그는 형에게 열등감을 느낀다. (He feels inferior to his older brother.)

Sentence Patterns

N + 이/가 부담감이 있어요.

시험이 부담감이 있어요.

N + 때문에 부담감을 느껴요.

숙제 때문에 부담감을 느껴요.

V-기 위해(서) 부담감을 덜어요.

쉬기 위해서 부담감을 덜어요.

N + 에 대한 부담감이 크다.

결과에 대한 부담감이 크다.

N + (으)로서 부담감을 느끼다.

리더로서 부담감을 느끼다.

N + 이라는 부담감을 안고 V.

성공해야 한다는 부담감을 안고 일해요.

N + 에 짓눌려 부담감을 느끼다.

기대에 짓눌려 부담감을 느끼다.

N + 의 발로로서 부담감이 나타나다.

불안의 발로로서 부담감이 나타나다.

Word Family

Nouns

부담 (burden/charge)

부담금 (levy/contribution/fee)

부담자 (the person who bears the burden)

Verbs

부담하다 (to bear a burden/charge)

부담시키다 (to make someone bear a burden)

Adjectives

부담스럽다 (to be burdensome/pressuring)

부담 없다 (to be free of burden/light/easy)

압박 (pressure)

책임 (responsibility)

의무 (duty)

스트레스 (stress)

중압 (heavy pressure)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, media, and workplace discussions.

Common Mistakes

Using '부담감을 해요' (I do burden-feeling). → 부담감을 느껴요 (I feel burden-feeling).
Feelings in Korean are 'felt' (느끼다) or they 'arise' (생기다/들다), they are not 'done'.
Saying '비용이 부담감이에요' (The cost is a sense of burden). → 비용이 부담이에요 (The cost is a burden).
The cost itself is the '부담' (object), not the '부담감' (the feeling you have about the cost).
Confusing '부담감' with '책임감' when praising someone. → 책임감이 강하시네요 (You have a strong sense of responsibility).
Saying someone has a strong '부담감' sounds like they are just very stressed, which isn't a compliment.
Using '부담감' to mean physical weight. → 짐이 너무 무거워요 (The load is too heavy).
부담감 is strictly psychological. You cannot use it for a heavy suitcase.
Using '부담감' instead of '거부감' for things you dislike. → 그 음식은 거부감이 들어요 (I feel a resistance/dislike for that food).
부담감 implies pressure or obligation. If you just hate the smell of something, it's '거부감'.

Tips

Reciprocity is Key

In Korea, favors are like debts. If you can't return a favor, you will feel '부담감'. This is why people often refuse overly generous offers.

Verb Pairs

Always remember the pair '부담감을 느끼다'. Using '하다' (to do) with 부담감 is a common mistake for beginners.

Softening Rejection

If you want to say no to an invitation or request, mentioning that you feel '부담감' is a polite way to set a boundary.

Adjective Form

Learn '부담스럽다' early on. It's used much more frequently in daily conversation than the noun '부담감'.

News Keywords

Listen for '경제적 부담감' in news reports about inflation or housing. It's a very common phrase in economic journalism.

Adding Nuance

Use modifiers like '약간의' (a bit of) or '막중한' (heavy) to accurately describe the level of pressure in your writing.

Gift Giving

When giving a gift, always say '부담 갖지 마세요' to show you don't expect an expensive return gift.

Root Words

Knowing that '-감' means 'feeling' will help you learn dozens of other Korean words for emotions easily.

Workplace Etiquette

If your boss gives you a task, saying you feel '부담감' might be seen as lack of confidence, so use it carefully in professional settings.

Managing Burden

In Korean, '부담감을 해소하다' is the term for relieving this specific type of stress through hobbies or rest.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Bu-dam' as 'Boo! Damn!'—the sound you make when you see a 'Damn' huge 'Bu'rden coming your way. Add '-gam' because it's the 'Feeling' of that 'Damn Burden'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person trying to climb a mountain while carrying a giant gift box labeled 'EXPECTATIONS' on their back. The sweat on their face is the '부담감'.

Word Web

부담 (Burden) 책임 (Responsibility) 압박 (Pressure) 기대 (Expectation) 스트레스 (Stress) 마음 (Mind/Heart) 무겁다 (Heavy) 느끼다 (Feel)

Challenge

Try to identify one thing today that gives you 부담감. Write it down in Korean: '[Thing] 때문에 부담감을 느껴요.' Then, think of one way to '덜다' (lessen) that feeling.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja (Sino-Korean) characters 負擔感. 負 (bu) means 'to carry on the back' or 'to bear'. 擔 (dam) means 'to shoulder' or 'to take charge'. 感 (gam) means 'feeling' or 'sense'.

Original meaning: The original meaning refers to the psychological sensation of carrying a physical or metaphorical weight on one's shoulders.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to tell someone they are 'giving you 부담감' too bluntly, as it can sound like a direct criticism of their kindness or effort. Use it carefully in close relationships.

In English-speaking cultures, people might use 'stress' or 'pressure' more broadly, whereas Koreans use '부담감' specifically when social obligations or tasks are involved.

The movie 'Parasite' (기생충) depicts the '부담감' of social mobility and class expectations. K-pop stars often mention '부담감' in documentaries like 'BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky'. The 'Suneung' (CSAT) exam season in Korea is the ultimate national period of '부담감'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Academic Life

시험 부담감
성적에 대한 부담감
부모님의 기대
공부하기 싫다

Workplace

업무 부담감
상사의 압박
마감 시간
책임자로서의 무게

Dating/Relationships

부담스러운 연락
고백에 대한 부담감
상대방의 호의
마음이 무겁다

Financial Issues

경제적 부담감
생활비 걱정
대출 이자
비용이 부담되다

Public Speaking/Performance

무대 부담감
실수할까 봐 걱정
사람들의 시선
긴장감

Conversation Starters

"요즘 가장 큰 부담감을 느끼는 일이 뭐예요? (What is the thing giving you the biggest sense of burden lately?)"

"시험이나 면접 전에 부담감을 어떻게 줄여요? (How do you reduce the sense of burden before an exam or interview?)"

"친구에게 비싼 선물을 받으면 부담감을 느끼나요? (Do you feel burdened if you receive an expensive gift from a friend?)"

"부담감을 이겨내는 자신만의 방법이 있나요? (Do you have your own way of overcoming a sense of burden?)"

"한국어를 배울 때 어떤 부분이 가장 부담감으로 다가오나요? (What part of learning Korean comes to you as the biggest burden?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 나를 힘들게 했던 부담감에 대해 써보세요. 왜 그런 감정이 들었나요? (Write about the burden that made you struggle today. Why did you feel that way?)

부담감이 전혀 없는 삶은 행복할까요, 아니면 지루할까요? (Would a life without any sense of burden be happy or boring?)

누군가에게 부담감을 주었던 경험이 있나요? 그때의 기분은 어땠나요? (Have you ever given someone else a sense of burden? How did you feel then?)

내가 가진 책임감 중에서 가장 자랑스러운 것과 가장 부담스러운 것은 무엇인가요? (Among your responsibilities, which one are you most proud of and which one is most burdensome?)

부담감을 긍정적으로 활용해 본 경험을 적어보세요. (Write about an experience where you used a sense of burden positively.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Mostly, yes. It describes a feeling of stress or weight. However, a small amount of '부담감' can be seen as a motivator to work harder and fulfill one's duties properly. It shows that you care about the outcome.

You can say, '와, 정말 고마워요. 그런데 너무 비싸서 조금 부담감이 느껴지네요.' (Wow, thank you so much. But it's so expensive I feel a bit of a burden.) This focuses on your feelings rather than their action.

They are very similar and often used interchangeably. '부담을 주다' can mean giving someone a physical task or cost, while '부담감을 주다' focuses on making them feel the psychological pressure.

No. For physical weight, use '무게' (weight) or '하중' (load). '부담감' is strictly for psychological or social feelings.

It's a polite way to tell someone that you don't expect anything in return for your favor or gift. It's meant to put the other person's mind at ease.

It can be if used directly about a person ('너 부담스러워' - You are burdensome). However, if you use it about a situation or a request, it's a very standard way to express discomfort.

Use '압박감' when there is a deadline, a competition, or a situation where you feel 'squeezed' or forced to perform immediately.

It means to share the workload, simplify a task, or extend a deadline so that the employees feel less stressed.

You can say '부담감이 전혀 없어요' or '부담스럽지 않아요'.

Yes, very often. Athletes feel '부담감' to win for their country or their fans, especially in big events like the Olympics.