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아쉽다

A2 adjective #3,000 most common 6 min read

아쉽다

Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 아쉽다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 아쉽다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of '아쉽다' as a simple way to say 'I'm sad it's over' or 'I wish there was more.' You will mostly use it when saying goodbye to friends or when you finish a delicious snack. It's a very useful word for being polite. For example, when a teacher says class is finished, saying '아쉬워요!' shows that you enjoyed the lesson. In its simplest form, it helps you express a mild disappointment about a situation. You don't need complex grammar to use it; just '아쉬워요' is enough to convey your feeling. It is one of the first emotional adjectives you should learn because it is used so frequently in daily social interactions. Remember that it's not a deep, tragic sadness, but just a small 'pity' or 'shame.'

At the A2 level, you can start using '아쉽다' to describe specific situations and missed opportunities. You should be comfortable with its 'ㅂ-irregular' conjugation (아쉬워요, 아쉬웠어요). You can use it to talk about sports scores ('We lost by one point, so it's 아쉽다'), weather ruining plans, or missing a bus. It's also the time to learn the phrase '아쉬운 소리,' which means having to ask for a favor because you lack something. You can also start using it to modify nouns, like '아쉬운 결과' (a regrettable result). At this stage, you are moving beyond simple feelings and starting to use the word to evaluate experiences. It helps you sound more natural and empathetic in conversations with Korean speakers.

At the B1 level, you should be able to distinguish '아쉽다' from similar words like '서운하다' and '안타깝다.' You will use '아쉽다' to express nuanced dissatisfaction with the quality or quantity of something. For instance, you might say a movie was good but the ending was '아쉽다' (lacking). You will also use it in more complex sentence structures, such as '-어서 아쉽다' (It's a pity that...) or '-으면 아쉬울 것 같다' (I think it would be a pity if...). You can use it to describe a sense of longing or the feeling of not wanting to let go of a moment. This word becomes a tool for expressing subtle social cues, such as showing that you value someone's presence by saying how '아쉽다' it is that they are leaving.

At the B2 level, '아쉽다' is used to discuss more abstract regrets and life choices. You might use it when reflecting on your career path or missed educational opportunities. It appears in literature and news to describe social failings or missed potential in policy. You should understand how it functions in idiomatic expressions and how it can subtly change meaning based on the particle used. You can also use it to describe a 'scarcity' or 'need' in a more sophisticated way, such as being 'short of hands' (일손이 아쉽다) in a busy work environment. Your usage should reflect a deep understanding of the '정' (jeong) culture, where expressing regret about parting is a key social lubricant.

At the C1 level, you understand the philosophical weight of '아쉽다.' It's not just about a missed chance; it's about the inherent incompleteness of human experience. You can use it to critique art, architecture, or literature where the '여백의 미' (beauty of empty space) might be lacking or where a masterpiece falls just short of perfection. You can use it in formal debates or academic writing to describe the limitations of a study or the regrettable aspects of a historical event. You are also aware of its archaic or poetic uses in classical Korean literature. Your ability to use '아쉽다' in a variety of registers—from slangy frustration to high-level diplomatic regret—shows a near-native grasp of the language's emotional landscape.

At the C2 level, '아쉽다' becomes a brushstroke in your linguistic palette. You can use it to convey the most subtle shades of human emotion—the bittersweet feeling of a successful but final goodbye, the existential regret of the 'path not taken,' or the aesthetic dissatisfaction with a slightly flawed diamond. You understand the word's etymological roots and its relationship to the concept of 'han' and 'jeong.' You can use it to navigate complex social hierarchies where expressing regret is more appropriate than direct criticism. Your mastery is such that you can use the word to imply meaning without even stating it directly, relying on the listener's shared cultural understanding of what it means for something to be truly '아쉽다.'

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

아쉽다 in 30 Seconds

Expresses mild regret or pity.
Used when something is lacking.
Common for goodbyes.
ㅂ-irregular conjugation (아쉬워요).

The Korean adjective 아쉽다 (aswipda) is a deeply expressive word that captures a specific emotional state that often requires several English words to translate fully. At its core, it describes a feeling of regret, a sense of pity, or the realization that something is lacking or insufficient. However, unlike the English word 'sad,' which focuses on grief, or 'regret,' which often focuses on one's own mistakes, 아쉽다 focuses on the gap between what happened and what could have been. It is the feeling you get when a wonderful party ends too early, when you miss a goal in soccer by just an inch, or when you have to say goodbye to a dear friend after a short visit.

The Essence of Lacking: It is used when something is not quite enough to satisfy you, leaving a lingering feeling of wanting more.

The Regret of Opportunity: It applies when an opportunity was close but ultimately missed, creating a 'what if' scenario in the mind.

벌써 가야 해서 정말 아쉬워요. (It is such a pity that you have to leave already.)

한 점 차이로 져서 너무 아쉽다. (It's a shame we lost by just one point.)

Social Context: In Korean culture, expressing that something is '아쉽다' is often a way to show affection or appreciation. By saying it is a pity to leave, you are signaling that you enjoyed the person's company immensely.

이 영화는 결말이 좀 아쉬워요. (The ending of this movie is a bit disappointing/unsatisfying.)

합격하지 못해서 참 아쉽네요. (It's a real shame that I didn't pass.)

맛은 있는데 양이 아쉽다. (It tastes good, but the portion size is a pity/lacking.)

Using 아쉽다 correctly requires understanding its status as a 'ㅂ-irregular' adjective. When you conjugate it for the polite present tense, the 'ㅂ' at the bottom of the stem changes to '우', which then combines with '어' to become '워'. Therefore, 아쉽다 becomes 아쉬워요. This word is incredibly versatile and can be used to describe people, situations, or even physical objects that feel incomplete.

The ㅂ-Irregular Conjugation: Stem: 아쉽. Add 어요 -> 아쉬 + 우 + 어요 = 아쉬워요. Past tense: 아쉬웠어요. Future: 아쉬울 거예요.

그의 은퇴 소식이 참 아쉽습니다. (The news of his retirement is very regrettable/sad.)

Sentence Patterns: Commonly used with particles like '이/가' to indicate the subject of the pity. Example: [Subject]이/가 아쉽다.

아쉬운 마음에 전화를 했어요. (I called because I felt bad/missed you.)

Adjective Form: When modifying a noun, use '아쉬운'. For example, '아쉬운 결과' (a regrettable result).

이번 여행에서 가장 아쉬웠던 점은 날씨였어요. (The most regrettable part of this trip was the weather.)

돈이 아쉬울 때가 많아요. (There are many times when I am in need of money / money is scarce.)

그 기회를 놓쳐서 너무 아쉬워. (I'm so bummed I missed that opportunity.)

You will hear 아쉽다 in almost every aspect of Korean life. It is the go-to word for closing conversations, ending social gatherings, and reacting to near-misses. In Korean dramas, you'll hear it when a couple has to part ways for the night. In sports broadcasts, commentators scream it when a ball hits the goalpost. In daily life, friends say it when they finish a delicious meal but wish there was one more bite. It represents a culture that values the '정' (jeong - emotional bond) and the sadness of its temporary severance.

In Social Gatherings: '아쉬워서 어떻게 보내지?' (How can I let you go when it's so sad?) is a common polite expression when a guest is leaving.

헤어지기 아쉬운데 우리 커피 한 잔 더 할까요? (I'm sad to part ways, shall we have one more cup of coffee?)

In Professional Settings: When a project ends or a colleague transfers, saying '아쉽습니다' expresses professional respect and personal regret.

그 선수의 부상이 정말 아쉽네요. (That player's injury is truly a pity.)

마지막 회가 너무 아쉬웠어요. (The final episode was so disappointing/left me wanting more.)

Economic Context: It can also mean being 'in need' or 'hard-pressed' for something, usually money or resources. '아쉬운 소리' refers to asking for a favor or borrowing money because you are in a tight spot.

남에게 아쉬운 소리 하기 싫어요. (I don't want to have to ask others for favors/help.)

방학이 끝나서 너무 아쉽다. (It's such a pity that vacation is over.)

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is confusing 아쉽다 with 슬프다 (seulpeuda - sad) or 후회하다 (huhoehada - to regret). While there is overlap, the nuances are distinct. 슬프다 is a deep emotional sadness (like at a funeral). 아쉽다 is the 'bummed out' feeling of a missed chance or a premature ending. Another mistake is using it as a verb. Remember, it is an adjective; you cannot '아쉽다' something directly like a verb; rather, a situation 'is' 아쉽다.

Confusing with '서운하다': '서운하다' is used when your feelings are hurt because someone else didn't do something you expected. '아쉽다' is about the situation itself being insufficient.

Incorrect: 나는 그 영화를 아쉬워해요. (Sounds like you are pitying the movie as a person). Correct: 영화가 아쉬워요. (The movie is regrettable/unsatisfying.)

The 'ㅂ' Irregular Error: Beginners often conjugate it as '아쉽어요'. This is incorrect. It must be '아쉬워요'.

친구가 안 와서 아쉬워요. (I'm bummed my friend didn't come. - Correct usage for a missed opportunity/presence.)

Overusing '미안하다' (Sorry): Sometimes English speakers say 'I'm sorry' to mean 'It's a pity.' In Korean, you should use '아쉽다' for the latter. '미안하다' is only for when you made a mistake.

파티에 못 가서 정말 아쉽다. (I'm really bummed I can't go to the party.)

그 점이 참 아쉽네요. (That point is quite regrettable/a shame.)

To truly master Korean, you need to know the siblings of 아쉽다. Each word carries a slightly different flavor of regret or lack. 안타깝다 is more intense, used for situations that are truly heartbreaking or tragic where you feel helpless. 섭섭하다 and 서운하다 are used when your feelings are hurt by someone else's behavior. 아깝다 is used when something of value is wasted, like money or a great chance.

아쉽다 vs. 안타깝다: 아쉽다: I wish there were more time. (Mild regret) | 안타깝다: It is so sad to see them suffer. (Strong empathy/pity)

아쉽다 vs. 서운하다: 아쉽다: The party is over. (General regret) | 서운하다: You didn't invite me to the party. (Personal hurt)

시간이 아깝다. (It's a waste of time. - Here, '아깝다' is better than '아쉽다' if the time was wasted.)

기회가 아까워요. (The opportunity is wasted/too precious to lose.)

허전하다 (Heojeonhada): This means feeling empty or like something is missing. It's often the feeling after something '아쉽다' has concluded, like an empty house after guests leave.

유감입니다. (It is regrettable. - A more formal, often diplomatic way to say '아쉽다'.)

섭섭하다. (To be sorry/disappointed - very similar to 서운하다, used for emotional letdowns.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word '아쉽다' is often used in Korea to express affection. By saying it is '아쉽다' to say goodbye, you are telling the other person that their company was highly valued.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /a.ɕɥip.t͈a/

US /ɑ.ʃwip.dɑ/

The stress is generally even, but the second syllable 'swip' carries the weight of the irregular stem.

Rhymes With

반갑다 (bangapda) 무섭다 (museopda) 즐겁다 (jeulgeopda) 가깝다 (gakkapda)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'a-sip-da' (missing the 'w' sound).
Not tensing the 'd' in 'da' (it should sound like 'tta').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize, but 'ㅂ' irregular conjugation can be tricky.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'ㅂ' to '우' change.

Speaking 2/5

Very common and easy to use in short sentences.

Listening 1/5

Clear pronunciation and high frequency make it easy to catch.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

슬프다 좋다 없다 있다 가다

Learn Next

안타깝다 서운하다 섭섭하다 아깝다 유감이다

Advanced

미련 여한 부족 결핍 상실

Grammar to Know

ㅂ-Irregular Adjectives

아쉽다 -> 아쉬워요, 돕다 -> 도와요 (Exception: 돕다/곱다 use '오')

-어서 (Reasoning)

시간이 없어서 아쉬워요.

-기 (Nominalization)

혼자 먹기 아쉬워요.

-ㄴ/은 (Adjective modifying noun)

아쉬운 소리, 아쉬운 마음

-네요 (Exclamatory/Realization)

참 아쉽네요!

Examples by Level

파티가 끝나서 아쉬워요.

I'm sad the party is over.

Present polite tense of 아쉽다.

벌써 가요? 아쉬워요.

Are you going already? It's a pity.

Used as a standalone reaction.

케이크가 작아서 아쉬워요.

The cake is small, so it's a pity.

Subject (케이크) + 가 + adjective.

주말이 끝나서 정말 아쉽다.

I'm really bummed the weekend is over.

Plain form (아쉽다) used in a diary or to oneself.

친구가 없어서 아쉬워요.

My friend isn't here, so I'm sad.

Expressing a lack of someone's presence.

게임이 끝나서 아쉬워요.

The game is over, so it's a pity.

Standard adjective usage.

노래가 짧아서 아쉬워요.

The song is short, so it's a pity.

Describing a quality that is lacking.

아쉬워요! 다시 해요.

It's a pity! Let's do it again.

Exclamatory use.

한 점 차이라서 너무 아쉬웠어요.

We lost by one point, so it was such a pity.

Past tense: 아쉬웠어요.

여행 날씨가 안 좋아서 아쉬워요.

The weather during the trip was bad, so it's a pity.

Reason (-아서) + result.

그 기회를 놓쳐서 아쉽네요.

It's a pity you missed that opportunity.

-네요 ending for realized emotion.

아쉬운 소리 하기 싫어요.

I don't want to ask for favors (make a regrettable sound).

Idiomatic phrase: 아쉬운 소리.

돈이 아쉬울 때가 있어요.

There are times when I'm in need of money.

Future/descriptive form 아쉬울 modifying 때.

사진이 잘 안 나와서 아쉽다.

The photo didn't come out well, so it's a shame.

Describing an unsatisfactory result.

방학이 너무 짧아서 아쉬워요.

Vacation is too short, so it's a pity.

Focus on insufficient quantity/time.

도움이 못 되어서 아쉽습니다.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of help.

Formal polite: 아쉽습니다.

영화는 좋았지만 결말이 아쉬워요.

The movie was good, but the ending was unsatisfying.

Contrast: 좋았지만 (was good but).

헤어지기 아쉬워서 차를 마셨어요.

I didn't want to part ways, so we had tea.

Adjective stem + 기 (nominalizer) + 아쉽다.

그의 재능이 참 아깝고 아쉽다.

His talent is a waste and a pity.

Pairing with 아깝다 for emphasis.

실력을 다 못 보여줘서 아쉬워요.

I'm bummed I couldn't show my full skills.

Regret over performance.

선물이 마음에 안 들까 봐 아쉽네요.

I'm worried you might not like the gift.

Expressing concern about a potential lack.

시간이 좀 더 있었으면 좋았을 텐데 아쉬워요.

It would have been better if there was more time; it's a pity.

Hypothetical regret + 아쉽다.

부족한 점이 많아 아쉬운 무대였습니다.

It was a regrettable performance because of many flaws.

Noun modification: 아쉬운 무대.

조건이 조금만 더 좋았으면 아쉽지 않았을 텐데.

If the conditions were a bit better, it wouldn't have been a pity.

Negative form: 아쉽지 않다.

일손이 아쉬운 상황이라 부탁드려요.

We are short-handed, so I'm asking for a favor.

Metaphorical use for 'scarcity'.

청춘을 이렇게 보내는 것이 아쉽다.

It's a pity to spend one's youth like this.

Reflective/Abstract regret.

그 정책의 실효성이 아쉬운 부분입니다.

The effectiveness of that policy is the regrettable part.

Formal critique.

남에게 아쉬운 내색을 하지 마세요.

Don't show others that you are in need.

Idiom: 아쉬운 내색 (expression of need).

완벽할 뻔했는데 한 가지가 아쉽네요.

It was almost perfect, but one thing is missing.

Contrast with 'almost perfect'.

그 소식을 듣고 아쉬운 마음이 들었어요.

I felt a sense of regret/pity upon hearing that news.

Phrase: 아쉬운 마음이 들다 (to feel regret).

작품의 완성도가 다소 아쉽다는 평가입니다.

The evaluation is that the work's level of completion is somewhat lacking.

Indirect quotation: -다는 평가.

준비한 것을 다 보여주지 못해 아쉬움이 남는다.

Regret remains because I couldn't show everything I prepared.

Noun form: 아쉬움 (regret/pity).

거장의 유작이라기엔 구성이 아쉽다.

For a master's final work, the composition is underwhelming.

High-level artistic critique.

시대의 흐름을 읽지 못한 점이 아쉽다.

It is regrettable that they failed to read the trends of the times.

Socio-historical analysis.

그의 부재가 이 팀의 가장 아쉬운 대목이다.

His absence is the most regrettable part for this team.

Advanced noun: 대목 (part/point).

아쉬운 대로 이것이라도 써야겠다.

I'll have to use this, even if it's not ideal/sufficient.

Idiom: 아쉬운 대로 (as a second-best option).

인간 관계란 늘 아쉬움의 연속이다.

Human relationships are always a series of regrets/longings.

Philosophical statement.

디테일의 부재가 명작으로 가는 길을 막아 아쉽다.

The lack of detail prevents it from being a masterpiece, which is a pity.

Complex causal structure.

정상에 오르지 못한 아쉬움을 뒤로하고 은퇴했다.

He retired, leaving behind the regret of not reaching the top.

Participial construction.

기술력은 좋으나 디자인이 아쉬운 제품이다.

The technology is good, but the design is lacking.

Professional product review.

천재적 발상이 형식의 틀에 갇힌 점이 못내 아쉽다.

It is deeply regrettable that the brilliant idea was trapped in a formal mold.

Adverb: 못내 (deeply/persistently).

역사의 가정법은 늘 아쉬움만을 남길 뿐이다.

The subjunctive mood of history only leaves behind regrets.

Metaphorical usage.

그의 문체는 유려하나 깊이가 아쉽다는 중론이다.

The general consensus is that his style is elegant but lacks depth.

Noun: 중론 (general opinion).

아쉬운 사람이 우물을 판다는 말도 있지 않은가.

Isn't there a saying that the person in need digs the well?

Proverb usage: 아쉬운 사람이 우물 판다.

삶의 편린들이 모여 아쉬운 교향곡을 연주한다.

Fragments of life gather to play a symphony of regret.

Poetic/Literary expression.

필연적 한계 내에서 최선을 다했으나 아쉬움은 필연이다.

We did our best within inevitable limits, but regret is inevitable.

Existential context.

고전의 반열에 오르기에는 한 끗이 아쉬운 작품이다.

The work is just one step short of becoming a classic.

Idiom: 한 끗 (a tiny bit).

그의 부고 소식에 온 국민이 아쉬운 마음을 금치 못했다.

The entire nation could not help but feel a sense of loss at his passing.

Formal expression: 금치 못하다 (cannot help but).

Common Collocations

기회가 아쉽다

이별이 아쉽다

점수가 아쉽다

시간이 아쉽다

양이 아쉽다

결과가 아쉽다

마지막이 아쉽다

일손이 아쉽다

돈이 아쉽다

소리가 아쉽다

Common Phrases

아쉬운 소리

— Asking for a favor or help while in a difficult position.

남에게 아쉬운 소리 하기 싫어.

아쉬운 대로

— Using something as a substitute even if it's not perfect.

아쉬운 대로 이거라도 쓰자.

아쉬울 것 없다

— To have no regrets or to not be in need of anything.

나는 이제 아쉬울 것 없어.

아쉬움이 남다

— For a feeling of regret to linger.

경기가 끝나고 아쉬움이 남았다.

아쉬움을 뒤로하고

— Leaving regret behind to move on.

아쉬움을 뒤로하고 떠났습니다.

아쉬운 마음에

— Out of a feeling of regret or longing.

아쉬운 마음에 전화를 걸었다.

아쉬운 점

— A regrettable point or a flaw.

아쉬운 점이 있다면 날씨예요.

아쉬운 내색

— An expression or look of being in need or regretful.

아쉬운 내색을 전혀 안 해요.

아쉬울 때

— When one is in need.

아쉬울 때만 나를 찾더라.

정말 아쉽다

— A very common exclamation of pity.

정말 아쉽네요! 다음에 봐요.

Often Confused With

아쉽다 vs 슬프다

Sadness vs. Regret. 아쉽다 is for missed chances, 슬프다 is for sorrow.

아쉽다 vs 서운하다

Personal hurt vs. Situational pity. Use 서운하다 when a friend forgets your birthday.

아쉽다 vs 안타깝다

Tragedy vs. Pity. 안타깝다 is for more serious, helpless situations.

Idioms & Expressions

"아쉬운 사람이 우물 판다"

— The person who is in need or desperate is the one who has to take action.

아쉬운 사람이 우물 판다더니 네가 왔구나.

Proverb

"아쉬운 소리"

— To speak in a way that asks for a favor, often humiliatingly.

그는 절대 남에게 아쉬운 소리를 안 한다.

Daily Idiom

"아쉬운 대로 먹다"

— To eat something that isn't your first choice because nothing else is available.

밥이 없어서 아쉬운 대로 라면이라도 먹자.

Informal

"아쉬울 것 하나 없다"

— To be in a position of complete power or satisfaction where nothing is needed.

그는 돈이 많아서 아쉬울 것 하나 없다.

Neutral

"아쉬운 손"

— A hand in need (metaphor for needing help).

아쉬운 손길을 내밀다.

Literary

"아쉬운 대목"

— The specific part of a story or event that was disappointing.

그 영화의 아쉬운 대목은 반전이었다.

Critical

"아쉬운 마음을 금치 못하다"

— To be unable to suppress a feeling of deep regret.

그의 은퇴에 아쉬운 마음을 금치 못했다.

Formal

"아쉬운 놈이 임자"

— The person who wants it most or needs it most is the one who will take it/do it.

아쉬운 놈이 임자지 뭐.

Slangy/Informal

"아쉬운 기색"

— A hint or sign of regret on someone's face.

그는 떠나면서 아쉬운 기색이 없었다.

Neutral

"아쉬움에 발길이 떨어지지 않다"

— To be so full of regret/longing that one cannot walk away.

아쉬움에 발길이 떨어지지 않아서 계속 뒤를 돌아봤다.

Literary

Easily Confused

아쉽다 vs 아깝다

Both involve regret.

아깝다 is specifically for wasting something valuable (money, time). 아쉽다 is for a general feeling of insufficiency.

돈이 아깝다 (Waste of money) vs. 돈이 아쉽다 (In need of money).

아쉽다 vs 섭섭하다

Both involve feelings when parting.

섭섭하다 is more about feeling let down by someone. 아쉽다 is about the time ending.

안 오다니 섭섭하다 vs. 벌써 가다니 아쉽다.

아쉽다 vs 유감이다

Both mean 'regrettable'.

유감이다 is very formal and often used in official statements. 아쉽다 is warmer and more personal.

유감을 표합니다 vs. 정말 아쉬워요.

아쉽다 vs 후회하다

Both involve looking back.

후회하다 is a verb meaning 'to regret an action you did'. 아쉽다 is an adjective describing the state of the situation.

결정을 후회해요 vs. 결과가 아쉬워요.

아쉽다 vs 허전하다

Both occur after someone leaves.

허전하다 is the feeling of emptiness inside. 아쉽다 is the feeling that the parting happened too soon.

마음이 허전하다 vs. 이별이 아쉽다.

Sentence Patterns

[Noun]이/가 아쉽다

주말이 아쉽다.

[Verb]-어서 아쉽다

못 가서 아쉽다.

[Verb]-기(가) 아쉽다

그냥 보내기가 아쉽다.

아쉬운 [Noun]

아쉬운 마음.

아쉬울 것(이) 없다

돈은 아쉬울 것이 없다.

아쉬운 대로 -

아쉬운 대로 이거 쓰자.

아쉬움이 남다

아쉬움이 많이 남는 경기였다.

아쉬운 사람이 -

아쉬운 사람이 먼저 연락하겠지.

Word Family

Nouns

아쉬움 (aswium) - regret, pity, sense of loss

Verbs

아쉬워하다 (aswiwohada) - to feel regretful, to miss someone/something

Adjectives

아쉽다 (aswipda) - to be regrettable

아쉬워라 (aswiwora) - Oh, what a pity! (Exclamatory)

아쉽게도 (aswipgedo) - unfortunately, regrettably

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

아쉽어요 → 아쉬워요
This is a ㅂ-irregular adjective. The ㅂ changes to 우 before adding 어요.
나는 영화를 아쉽다 → 영화가 아쉽다
아쉽다 is an adjective, so the thing that is regrettable should be the subject with 이/가.
슬퍼서 안 갔어요 (meaning regret) → 아쉬워서 안 갔어요 (if you mean you felt it was a pity)
슬프다 is for sadness/grief. 아쉽다 is for regret or missing out.
아쉬운 소리를 들었어요 (to mean I heard bad news) → 안타까운 소리를 들었어요
아쉬운 소리 specifically means 'asking for a favor/begging.'
미안해요 (to mean 'what a pity') → 아쉽네요 / 안타깝네요
미안해요 is an apology for your own mistake. It doesn't mean 'it's a pity' in Korean.

Tips

Conjugation Master

Always remember: 아쉽다 + 어요 = 아쉬워요. Never say '아쉽어요'.

Polite Goodbyes

Always say '아쉬워요' when leaving a dinner party to show you had a great time.

Idiom Alert

Learn '아쉬운 소리' to understand when Koreans are talking about needing a favor.

Sports Fan

Use '아쉽다' for every near-miss goal. It's the most natural reaction.

Missing Piece

Use it when something is 90% perfect. That last 10% is '아쉽다'.

Adjective vs Noun

The noun form is '아쉬움'. You can say '아쉬움이 남는다' (Regret remains).

vs. Sadness

Don't use it for deep grief. It's for lighter, situational disappointment.

Formal Situations

In business, use '아쉽습니다' to decline an offer politely.

Catch the 'W'

The 'w' sound in 'aswiwo' is very soft. Practice listening for it in dramas.

The 'Aw' Sound

It sounds like 'Aw...' which is the sound we make in English for a pity!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

'Ah, sweep' it away! Imagine you are sweeping away the last crumbs of a delicious cake, feeling '아쉽다' because there is none left.

Visual Association

A soccer ball hitting the post and bouncing out. The player's face at that moment is the definition of '아쉽다'.

Word Web

Regret Pity Lacking Goodbye Sports Miss Small Portion Bummed Regrettable

Challenge

Try saying '아쉬워요' to a friend next time you finish a fun hangout. Notice how it builds a stronger emotional connection than just saying 'Goodbye.'

Word Origin

Pure Korean word. It originates from the ancient root related to 'lacking' or 'insufficient.'

Original meaning: To feel that something is not enough or to be in need.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

None. It is a very safe and positive word to use in almost any context.

English speakers often say 'I'm sad' or 'That's too bad,' but '아쉽다' covers both and is used much more frequently in social etiquette.

Many K-pop songs use '아쉬워' in lyrics about breakups or the end of a night (e.g., Chungha's 'Gotta Go' implies the '아쉬움' of leaving). In Korean variety shows like 'Running Man,' you will hear this word constantly during games.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Saying goodbye

벌써 가세요? 아쉬워요.
헤어지기 아쉽네요.
다음에 또 만나요, 아쉬워요.

Watching sports

아, 아쉽다!
거의 골이었는데 아쉽네요.
한 점 차이로 져서 아쉬워요.

Reviewing a movie/book

결말이 좀 아쉬워요.
연기는 좋은데 스토리가 아쉽다.
전체적으로 아쉬운 작품이에요.

Missing an opportunity

기회를 놓쳐서 아쉬워요.
조금만 더 빨랐으면 좋았을 텐데 아쉽다.
아쉬운 결과네요.

Being in need

돈이 아쉬울 때 도와줘서 고마워.
아쉬운 소리 하기 싫어.
일손이 아쉬워요.

Conversation Starters

"어제 축구 경기 보셨어요? 마지막에 너무 아쉽지 않았어요?"

"벌써 퇴근 시간이네요. 아쉬운데 한 잔 더 하실래요?"

"이 식당 맛은 있는데 양이 좀 아쉽지 않아요?"

"이번 여행에서 가장 아쉬웠던 점이 뭐예요?"

"그 영화 보셨어요? 저는 주인공이 죽어서 너무 아쉽더라고요."

Journal Prompts

오늘 하루 중에서 가장 아쉬웠던 일은 무엇인가요?

내가 놓친 기회 중에서 가장 아쉬운 것은?

친구와 헤어질 때 아쉬운 마음을 어떻게 표현하나요?

돈이나 시간이 아쉬웠던 경험에 대해 써보세요.

완벽하지 않아서 더 아쉬운 아름다움에 대해 생각해보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Only in the sense of 'It is a pity.' If you made a mistake and want to apologize, you must use '미안합니다' or '죄송합니다.'

아쉬워요 is a standard polite statement. 아쉽네요 adds a nuance of 'I just realized' or 'I am expressing my current feeling' to the listener.

Not necessarily. In social contexts, it's a 'positive' negative because it implies you like something so much you don't want it to end.

It becomes '아쉬웠어요.' The 'ㅂ' changes to '우' and then you add '었'.

Yes, to mean 'I feel regretful.' But usually, the subject is the thing that is causing the regret, like '시간이 아쉽다.'

It's not 'bad,' but it implies you are in a weak position and have to ask for a favor, which can be humbling.

Yes! If the food was good but the portion was too small, you say '양이 아쉬워요.'

It means 'since I don't have exactly what I want, I will settle for this.' Like using a spoon when you can't find a fork.

Yes, it is a 'ㅂ' irregular adjective.

Usually, '안타깝다' or '슬프다' is more appropriate for death. '아쉽다' might be used if a young talent died before fulfilling their potential, but use it carefully.