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무섭다

A1 adjective #3,000 most common 9 min read

무섭다

museopda Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 무섭다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 무섭다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners use '무섭다' to express basic, immediate fears. The focus is on the present tense '무서워요' and the past tense '무서웠어요'. At this stage, you should be able to identify things that are scary, such as animals (dogs, spiders), the dark, or horror movies. The grammar is simple: [Noun] + 이/가 + 무서워요. You are essentially learning that this word acts as a bridge between your feelings and the objects around you. You'll also learn the negative form '안 무서워요' to express courage or a lack of fear. The primary goal is to communicate basic emotional states in everyday life. You might use it when visiting a zoo, watching a movie with friends, or talking about common phobias. It's important to remember the ㅂ-irregular rule even at this early stage, as '무서워요' is much more common than the base form '무섭다'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '무섭다' in more complex sentences using connectors like '-아서/어서' (because) or '-(으)면' (if). For example, '무서워서 못 가요' (I can't go because I'm scared). You start to apply the word to social situations, such as describing a strict teacher or an intimidating older student (선배). You also learn to distinguish between '무섭다' (for yourself/the object) and '무서워하다' (for others). You might use it in the modifier form '무서운 [Noun]' to describe things more vividly, like '무서운 꿈' (a scary dream). Your vocabulary expands to include common collocations like '귀신이 무섭다' (to be scared of ghosts) or '높은 곳이 무섭다' (to be scared of high places). You are moving from simple labels to explaining the reasons behind your fear and describing the qualities of the things around you.

At the B1 level, you use '무섭다' to talk about abstract concepts and more nuanced emotions. You might describe the '무서운 분위기' (scary atmosphere) of a place or the '무서운 속도' (scary speed) of change. You begin to use it in indirect speech, such as '친구가 무섭다고 했어요' (My friend said it was scary). You also start to recognize the word in various media contexts, like news reports or variety shows, where it's used metaphorically. You can handle more complex grammar structures like '-아/어 보이다' (to look scary) or '-을까 봐 무섭다' (to be scared that something might happen). This level involves a shift from purely physical fear to social and psychological pressures. You might discuss the fear of public speaking or the fear of making mistakes in a professional setting, using '무섭다' to convey the weight of those feelings.

At the B2 level, '무섭다' is used fluently in discussions about social issues, literature, and complex human relationships. You can describe someone as a '무서운 사람' not because they are physically threatening, but because they are exceptionally determined or capable in a way that is intimidating. You understand the nuance of '무섭다' in idiomatic expressions and can use it to add emphasis to your speech. For instance, you might use '무섭게' as an adverb to describe how someone is working or how prices are rising. You can also compare '무섭다' with its synonyms like '두렵다' or '소름 끼치다' to choose the most precise word for a given context. Your ability to use the word in the passive or causative-like constructions (though less common for adjectives) and in complex conditional sentences becomes more natural. You are also aware of the formal vs. informal registers and when to use '무섭습니다' vs. '무서워'.

At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the stylistic uses of '무섭다' in literature and high-level discourse. You can analyze how the word is used to create tension in a novel or how it characterizes a historical figure's intimidating presence. You are comfortable with the word's appearance in proverbs and classical-style expressions. You might use it in a rhetorical sense to question societal norms or the 'scary' power of technology. Your use of '무섭다' is no longer just about the emotion of fear but about the power dynamics and the overwhelming nature of certain phenomena. You can use the word to describe the '무서운 힘' (scary power) of nature or the '무서운 침묵' (scary silence) in a room. You are also adept at using the word in professional writing, such as reports or essays, to describe alarming trends or significant risks, often pairing it with advanced vocabulary.

At the C2 level, '무섭다' is a tool for philosophical and existential expression. You can discuss the 'scary' nature of human existence, the passage of time, or the depths of the human psyche. You use the word with total native-like precision, including all its subtle metaphorical extensions. You can differentiate between the literal fear in a thriller and the existential dread described in a philosophical treatise. You are capable of using '무섭다' in creative writing to evoke specific moods, playing with the word's sounds and connotations. You understand the historical evolution of the word and how its usage has shifted in modern Korean society. Whether you are giving a formal lecture or participating in a high-stakes debate, you use '무섭다' and its related forms to convey authority, nuance, and emotional depth. You can also interpret and use the word in its most archaic or poetic forms if the context demands it.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

무섭다 in 30 Seconds

무섭다 (museopda) is an adjective meaning 'to be scary' or 'to be scared'.
It follows the ㅂ-irregular rule, changing to '무서워' before vowels.
The thing causing fear takes the subject particle 이/가.
Use '무서워하다' when talking about someone else's fear.

The Korean word 무섭다 (museopda) is a primary adjective used to describe the sensation of fear or the quality of being frightening. Unlike English, which often distinguishes between 'I am scared' (a state of being) and 'It is scary' (a quality of an object), Korean uses this single adjective to cover both semantic fields. When you say '무서워요' (museowoyo), you could be saying 'I am afraid' or 'It is terrifying,' depending entirely on the context and the particles used. This versatility makes it one of the first emotional descriptors a learner encounters at the A1 level. It captures everything from the primal fear of the dark to the social anxiety of a stern superior.

Core Meaning: To be fearful, frightening, or scary. It describes an internal emotional state or an external threatening quality.
Grammatical Category: Adjective (Descriptive Verb). In Korean, adjectives function like verbs and can serve as the predicate of a sentence without an extra 'to be' verb.

귀신이 무섭다. (Ghosts are scary / I am scared of ghosts.)

In daily life, Koreans use '무섭다' in a wide variety of situations. It isn't just for horror movies. You might hear it when someone looks at a steep hiking trail, when a student talks about a strict teacher, or even when describing the rapidly rising cost of living (물가가 무섭다). The ㅂ-irregular nature of this word is crucial for learners to master; the 'ㅂ' changes to '우' when meeting a vowel, resulting in '무서워' rather than '무섭어'. This phonetic shift is a hallmark of the word's usage in spoken conversation.

혼자 있는 게 무서워요. (I am scared of being alone.)

Intensity Levels: 무섭다 covers a broad spectrum. It can range from a mild 'creepy' feeling to absolute 'terror'. Intensifiers like '정말' (really) or '너무' (too/very) are frequently paired with it.

Culturally, the word often appears in the context of 'K-Horror' or ghost stories (공포 영화). However, it also has a metaphorical use. When someone says a person is '무서운 사람' (a scary person), they might mean that the person is highly competent, relentless, or intimidatingly successful, not necessarily that they are a monster. This nuance is important for intermediate learners to grasp as it moves beyond literal fear into the realm of respect and intimidation.

그 선생님은 정말 무서워요. (That teacher is really scary/strict.)

Using 무섭다 correctly requires understanding the ㅂ-irregular conjugation. Because the stem ends in 'ㅂ', the 'ㅂ' transforms into '우' when followed by a suffix starting with a vowel. For example, in the polite present tense, 무섭 + 어요 becomes 무서워요. This rule applies across various tenses and levels of politeness. Mastering this conjugation is essential because '무섭다' is a high-frequency word used in almost every conversational context involving emotion or evaluation of a situation's safety.

Present Tense Conjugations: Formal Polite: 무섭습니다 (museopseumnida)
Informal Polite: 무서워요 (museowoyo)
Casual: 무서워 (museoweo)

밤길이 무서워서 택시를 탔어요. (I took a taxi because the night road is scary.)

Another key aspect is the particle usage. In the sentence 'I am scared of dogs,' the Korean structure is 'Dogs are scary (to me).' Therefore, 'dog' takes the subject particle '이/가'. Example: '강아지가 무서워요.' If you want to emphasize that *you* are the one feeling this way, you can add '저는' (as for me) at the beginning. This 'Subject + 이/가' pattern is consistent for most descriptive verbs in Korean that translate to 'to be [adjective]' in English.

Past Tense Conjugations: Formal Polite: 무서웠습니다 (museoweotseumnida)
Informal Polite: 무서웠어요 (museoweotsseoyo)
Casual: 무서웠어 (museoweotsseo)

어릴 때는 치과가 정말 무서웠어요. (When I was young, the dentist was really scary.)

When using '무섭다' as a modifier before a noun, the 'ㅂ' changes to '운'. So, 'a scary movie' becomes '무서운 영화'. This is a common way to describe nouns. It is also used in the negative form using '안' or '-지 않다'. For example, '안 무서워요' (It's not scary) or '무섭지 않아요' (It is not scary - more formal). Understanding these variations allows you to describe your environment and feelings with precision.

그 소식은 정말 무서운 이야기예요. (That news is a really scary story.)

Future/Guessing Form: 무서울 거예요 (It will probably be scary / I will probably be scared). The 'ㅂ' changes to '우' before adding 'ㄹ 거예요'.

The word 무섭다 is ubiquitous in Korean media, particularly in variety shows and dramas. In variety shows like 'Running Man' or 'Knowing Bros,' guests are often put into 'scary' situations—like bungee jumping, haunted houses, or eating strange foods. You will frequently hear the cast members screaming '무서워!' (museoweo!) or '진짜 무섭다!' (jinja museopda!) to express their genuine or exaggerated terror. This real-time usage highlights the word as a visceral reaction to immediate stimuli.

Variety Shows: Used as a common exclamation when facing challenges or pranks. It's often subtitled in large, trembling fonts to emphasize the emotion.

놀이기구가 너무 무서워서 못 타겠어요! (The amusement park ride is too scary, so I can't ride it!)

In Korean cinema, specifically the horror genre known as 'K-Horror,' the word is central. Characters discuss '무서운 이야기' (scary stories) or describe a '무서운 분위기' (scary atmosphere). Beyond the literal supernatural, you'll hear it in thrillers to describe a '무서운 범죄자' (scary criminal). The word is used to build tension and convey the stakes of the plot. In news broadcasts, you might hear it in a more metaphorical sense, such as '무서운 속도로 확산되다' (spreading at a frightening speed), used for viruses or social trends.

News & Media: Used metaphorically to describe rapid, overwhelming, or threatening changes in society, economy, or nature.

요즘 물가가 무섭게 오르고 있습니다. (Lately, prices are rising at a frightening rate.)

In family life, parents might use it playfully or seriously with children: '자꾸 울면 무서운 아저씨가 잡아간다' (If you keep crying, the scary man will take you away)—a common, though perhaps outdated, parenting trope. Friends also use it when talking about social situations, like a '무서운 선배' (an intimidating senior student) or a '무서운 상사' (a scary boss). It's a word that bridges the gap between physical fear and social intimidation, making it essential for navigating Korean social hierarchies.

세상은 정말 무서운 곳이에요. (The world is truly a scary place.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with 무섭다 is treating it like an English verb. In English, we say 'I fear snakes.' In Korean, '무섭다' is an adjective, so the 'snake' is the subject of the sentence, not the object. Beginners often try to use the object particle '-을/를' with the thing they fear, which is grammatically incorrect. You must use the subject particle '-이/가' instead. For example, '뱀을 무서워요' is wrong; '뱀이 무서워요' is correct.

Mistake 1: Wrong Particles: Incorrect: 거미를 무서워요 (Geomireul museowoyo)
Correct: 거미가 무서워요 (Geomiga museowoyo)

천둥 소리가 무서워요. (I am scared of the sound of thunder / Thunder is scary.)

Another common error involves the ㅂ-irregular conjugation. Some learners forget to change the 'ㅂ' and say '무섭어요' (museopeoyo) instead of '무서워요' (museowoyo). This is a fundamental rule that applies to many common adjectives like '덥다' (hot) and '춥다' (cold). Practice the transition from 'ㅂ' to '우' until it becomes second nature. Additionally, remember that adjectives in Korean do not need the verb '이다' (to be). Saying '무서워요 이다' is a redundant and incorrect construction.

Mistake 2: Conjugation Errors: Incorrect: 무섭어 (Museopeo), 무섭아요 (Museopayo)
Correct: 무서워 (Museoweo), 무서워요 (Museowoyo)

그 영화는 하나도 안 무서웠어요. (That movie wasn't scary at all.)

A more subtle mistake is using '무섭다' for a third person's feelings. In Korean, descriptive verbs (adjectives) usually only describe the speaker's own feelings or the general state of things. If you want to say 'Minsu is scared,' you should use the verb form '무서워하다' (museoweohada). Saying '민수는 무서워요' usually means 'Minsu is a scary person,' not that Minsu is currently feeling fear. This distinction is vital for clear communication.

제 친구는 귀신을 무서워해요. (My friend is scared of ghosts.)

While 무섭다 is the most common word for 'scary,' Korean has several other words that offer more specific nuances. Understanding these can elevate your Korean from basic to advanced. For instance, '두렵다' (duryeopda) is often used for a more profound, abstract, or long-term fear, such as the fear of failure or the future. While '무섭다' is visceral and immediate, '두렵다' is more psychological and heavy. Another alternative is '무시무시하다' (musimusihada), which means 'terrifying' or 'horrendous,' used for things that are exceptionally scary.

무섭다 vs 두렵다: 무섭다: Immediate, physical fear (e.g., of a spider).
두렵다: Abstract, existential fear (e.g., of the unknown).

실패하는 것이 두려워요. (I am afraid of failing.)

For a 'creepy' or 'chilling' feeling, Koreans use '섬뜩하다' (seomtteukhada). This describes the sudden shiver you get when something is eerie. If you want to say something is 'frightening' in a more intense way, '공포스럽다' (gongposeureopda) is the adjective form of 'terror' (공포). In slang, you might hear '겁나다' (geomnada), which literally means 'fear arises.' This is very common in casual speech, often used to say 'I'm scared' or as an intensifier meaning 'extremely' (e.g., '겁나 비싸다' - extremely expensive).

Other Related Terms: 섬뜩하다: Chilling or eerie.
무시무시하다: Dreadful or terrifying.
겁나다: To be scared (often used in casual speech).

그 이야기는 들을수록 섬뜩해요. (That story gets creepier the more I hear it.)

Finally, the word '소름 끼치다' (soreum kkichida) means 'to get goosebumps.' It is frequently used alongside '무섭다' to describe the physical reaction to being scared. When comparing these words, remember that '무섭다' is the safest, most versatile choice for most daily situations. The others are like spices—use them when you want to add a specific flavor of fear to your description.

그의 실력이 무서울 정도로 늘었어요. (His skills have improved to a scary degree.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In Middle Korean, many adjectives ending in 'ㅂ' followed a similar irregular pattern, which has survived into modern Korean as the ㅂ-irregular conjugation. This makes '무섭다' part of a very old and stable linguistic group.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mu.sʌp.t͈a/

US /mu.sʌp.t͈a/

The primary stress is on the first syllable '무', but the second syllable '섭' is pronounced clearly. The tensed '다' (pronounced 'tta') receives a sharp emphasis.

Rhymes With

어렵다 (eoryeopda - to be difficult) 즐겁다 (jeulgeopda - to be joyful) 가깝다 (gakkapda - to be near) 차갑다 (chagapda - to be cold) 뜨겁다 (tteugeopda - to be hot) 더럽다 (deoreopda - to be dirty) 가볍다 (gabyeopda - to be light) 어둡다 (eodupda - to be dark)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ㅂ' as a full 'b' sound in the middle of the word. It should be a closed, unreleased stop.
Forgetting the tensing of the final '다' into 'tta'.
Failing to apply the ㅂ-irregular rule in conjugation (saying 'museopeo' instead of 'museoweo').
Confusing the 'eo' (ㅓ) sound with 'o' (ㅗ).
Over-aspirating the 'm' (ㅁ) sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

The word is very common and easy to recognize in text.

Writing 2/5

Requires knowledge of the ㅂ-irregular conjugation.

Speaking 2/5

Must remember to use the correct particle (이/가) instead of the object particle.

Listening 1/5

Easily identified by its distinctive 'mu-seo-wo' sound in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

나 (I) 영화 (Movie) 개 (Dog) 좋다 (To be good) 싫다 (To be disliked)

Learn Next

두렵다 (To be afraid - abstract) 무서워하다 (Third-person scared) 놀라다 (To be surprised) 걱정되다 (To be worried) 슬프다 (To be sad)

Advanced

경외심 (Awe/Reverence) 전율 (Shudder) 공포증 (Phobia) 무시무시하다 (Terrifying) 심장이 쫄깃하다 (To be nervous/thrilled)

Grammar to Know

ㅂ-Irregular Adjectives

무섭다 + 어요 -> 무서워요 (The ㅂ changes to 우).

Adjective to Verb conversion (-아/어하다)

무섭다 -> 무서워하다 (Used to describe someone else's feelings).

Subject Particle with Descriptive Verbs

귀신이 무섭다 (Use 이/가 for the object of fear).

Modifier form of Adjectives (-ㄴ/은)

무섭다 -> 무서운 이야기 (Noun modification).

Adverbial form (-게)

무섭게 생기다 (To look scary).

Examples by Level

강아지가 무서워요.

I am scared of dogs.

Uses the subject particle '가' for the thing that is scary.

이 영화는 안 무서워요.

This movie is not scary.

Uses '안' before the adjective for negation.

밤이 너무 무서워요.

The night is very scary.

Uses '너무' as an intensifier.

거미가 무서웠어요.

I was scared of the spider.

Past tense conjugation: 무서웠어요.

귀신이 무서워?

Are you scared of ghosts?

Casual question form (Panmal).

치과가 정말 무서워요.

The dentist is really scary.

Subject '치과' (dentist's office) is scary.

혼자 있으면 무서워요.

I'm scared when I'm alone.

Uses '-으면' (if/when) connector.

무서운 이야기 해주세요.

Please tell me a scary story.

Modifier form: 무서운 + Noun.

천둥 소리가 무서워서 잠을 못 잤어요.

I couldn't sleep because the sound of thunder was scary.

Uses '-아서' to show cause and effect.

그 선생님은 조금 무서운 편이에요.

That teacher is on the scary side.

Uses '-는 편이다' to express a tendency.

높은 곳이 무서우면 올라가지 마세요.

If you are scared of high places, don't go up.

Conditional '-(으)면' and negative command '-지 마세요'.

동생이 주사를 무서워해요.

My younger sibling is scared of shots.

Uses '무서워하다' for a third person's feelings.

무서운 꿈을 꾸었어요.

I had a scary dream.

Modifier '무서운' describing '꿈' (dream).

이 놀이기구는 하나도 안 무서워요.

This ride isn't scary at all.

Uses '하나도 안' (not at all).

길을 잃어서 너무 무서웠어요.

I was so scared because I got lost.

Past tense with a reason clause.

무서운 영화를 같이 볼까요?

Shall we watch a scary movie together?

Suggestive ending '-(으)ㄹ까요?'.

발표하는 것이 무서울 때가 있어요.

There are times when I'm scared of giving a presentation.

Uses '-ㄹ 때' (when/time).

실패할까 봐 무서워서 시작을 못 하겠어요.

I'm scared I might fail, so I can't start.

Uses '-을까 봐' (afraid that...).

그 사람은 화를 내면 정말 무서워요.

That person is really scary when they get angry.

Conditional usage describing a person's character.

분위기가 너무 무서워서 그냥 나왔어요.

The atmosphere was so scary that I just left.

Describing '분위기' (atmosphere) as the subject.

세상이 무서운 속도로 변하고 있어요.

The world is changing at a frightening speed.

Metaphorical use with '속도' (speed).

무서워하지 말고 천천히 말해 보세요.

Don't be scared and try to speak slowly.

Negative imperative '무서워하지 말고'.

뉴스에서 무서운 소식을 들었어요.

I heard some scary news on the news.

Modifier '무서운' describing '소식' (news/word).

혼자 여행하는 게 무서울 수도 있어요.

It might be scary to travel alone.

Uses '-ㄹ 수도 있다' (could/might be).

그의 무서운 집념이 결국 성공을 이끌어냈다.

His frightening tenacity eventually led to success.

Metaphorical '무서운' meaning 'intense' or 'relentless'.

물가가 무섭게 올라서 생활비가 부족해요.

Prices are rising frighteningly, so I'm short on living expenses.

Adverbial form '무섭게' modifying the verb '오르다'.

그녀는 일할 때만큼은 정말 무서운 사람이에요.

She is a truly scary person, at least when she is working.

Using '무섭다' to describe professional intensity.

아무리 무서워도 포기하지 않을 거예요.

No matter how scared I am, I won't give up.

Uses '아무리 -어도' (no matter how...).

아이들이 무서워할까 봐 사실대로 말하지 못했다.

I couldn't tell the truth for fear the children would be scared.

Third-person form '무서워하다' with 'ㄹ까 봐'.

그 영화의 반전은 정말 소름 끼치도록 무서웠다.

The plot twist of that movie was scary enough to give me goosebumps.

Uses '소름 끼치도록' (to the point of goosebumps).

전쟁이라는 무서운 현실을 직시해야 합니다.

We must face the scary reality of war.

Describing a heavy social reality.

그의 눈빛이 너무 무서워서 고개를 돌렸다.

His gaze was so scary that I turned my head away.

Describing '눈빛' (the look in one's eyes).

침묵이 때로는 어떤 외침보다 더 무서울 수 있다.

Silence can sometimes be scarier than any shout.

Abstract comparison using '보다 더' (more than).

인간의 무서운 욕망이 자연을 파괴하고 있다.

Humanity's frightening greed is destroying nature.

Describing '욕망' (desire/greed) as frightening.

그 작가는 인간 심리의 무서운 단면을 잘 묘사한다.

That author depicts the scary facets of human psychology well.

Literary usage in a critique context.

기술의 발전이 무서울 정도로 빠르게 진행되고 있다.

Technological advancement is proceeding at a frighteningly fast pace.

Standard phrase '무서울 정도로' (to a scary degree).

무서운 기세로 몰아치는 파도 앞에 인간은 무력했다.

Humans were helpless before the waves crashing with a scary force.

Describing '기세' (force/momentum).

그의 말 한마디에는 무서운 진실이 숨겨져 있었다.

A scary truth was hidden in his single word.

Modifier '무서운' describing '진실' (truth).

권력의 무서움을 모르는 사람은 위험하다.

A person who does not know the scarier side of power is dangerous.

Noun form '무서움' (scaryness/fear).

어둠 속에서 무서운 환영을 본 것만 같았다.

It felt as if I had seen a scary phantom in the darkness.

Uses '-ㄴ 것만 같다' (it feels just like...).

역사의 무서운 심판을 피할 수는 없을 것이다.

One will not be able to avoid the scary judgment of history.

Metaphorical use of '심판' (judgment).

그의 침착함 뒤에 숨겨진 무서운 칼날을 보았다.

I saw the scary blade hidden behind his calmness.

Symbolic use of '칼날' (blade) for hidden danger.

무서운 집착은 사랑이 아니라 중독에 가깝다.

Scary obsession is closer to addiction than love.

Philosophical distinction between obsession and love.

대중의 무서운 무관심이 한 예술가를 죽음으로 몰아넣었다.

The frightening indifference of the public drove an artist to death.

Describing '무관심' (indifference) as frightening.

자연의 무서운 섭리 앞에 인간은 겸손해질 수밖에 없다.

Humans have no choice but to be humble before the scary providence of nature.

High-level concept '섭리' (providence).

그 정치가의 무서운 통찰력은 적들조차 경외하게 만든다.

That politician's frightening insight makes even their enemies feel awe.

Using '무서운' to describe positive but intimidating traits.

우리는 가끔 스스로의 무서운 이면을 마주하게 된다.

We sometimes come face to face with our own scary inner sides.

Existential '이면' (hidden side/inner self).

무서운 고독 속에서 그는 마침내 자아를 발견했다.

In frightening solitude, he finally discovered his true self.

Describing '고독' (solitude) as frightening.

Common Collocations

귀신이 무섭다

영화가 무섭다

눈빛이 무섭다

물가가 무섭다

무서운 속도로

밤길이 무섭다

무서운 꿈

무서울 정도로

세상이 무섭다

하나도 안 무섭다

Common Phrases

무서워 죽겠다

— I'm scared to death. Used to emphasize extreme fear.

시험 결과가 나올까 봐 무서워 죽겠어요.

뭐가 무서워?

— What are you scared of? Used to challenge someone's fear.

겨우 이거 가지고 뭐가 무서워?

무서운 게 없다

— To be fearless. Literally 'there is nothing scary'.

그는 무서운 게 없는 사람처럼 행동한다.

무서운 이야기

— A scary story. Common during summer or campfires.

우리 무서운 이야기 하나씩 할까?

얼굴이 무섭다

— To have a scary face/expression. Often used for stern people.

인상이 좀 무서운 편이라 오해를 받아요.

무서운 줄 모르다

— To not know how scary something is. Used for reckless people.

그는 세상 무서운 줄 모르고 까분다.

무서워서 벌벌 떨다

— To tremble with fear.

그는 무서워서 벌벌 떨고 있었다.

무서운 기세

— A scary momentum or force.

태풍이 무서운 기세로 다가오고 있다.

무서운 사람

— A scary or intimidating person.

그는 화나면 정말 무서운 사람이에요.

무서워하지 마

— Don't be scared. Common comforting phrase.

괜찮아, 무서워하지 마.

Often Confused With

무섭다 vs 무서워하다

This is a verb. Use it for other people's feelings (He is scared) or when fear is an active process. Use '무섭다' for your own feelings or to describe something scary.

무섭다 vs 두렵다

More formal and abstract. Use for fear of the future, God, or failure. '무섭다' is for physical or immediate threats.

무섭다 vs 지루하다

Means 'boring.' Sometimes learners confuse 'scary' and 'boring' when talking about movies. Ensure you use '무섭다' for horror!

Idioms & Expressions

"호랑이보다 무섭다"

— Scarier than a tiger. Used for something truly terrifying, historically tax collectors or stern parents.

그 선생님은 호랑이보다 무서워요.

Colloquial

"귀신보다 무섭다"

— Scarier than a ghost. Used to emphasize fear.

엄마가 화내면 귀신보다 무서워요.

Casual

"무서운 줄 알다"

— To recognize the danger or authority of someone/something.

이제야 내 무서운 줄 알겠느냐?

Dramatic/Historical

"눈을 씻고 봐도 무섭다"

— Frightening no matter how closely you look. Used for undeniable threats.

그 범죄는 눈을 씻고 봐도 무서운 일이다.

Journalistic

"세상 무서운 줄 모르다"

— To be naive or reckless (not knowing the world's dangers).

철없는 아이들은 세상 무서운 줄 모른다.

Neutral

"무서워서 입이 안 떨어지다"

— To be too scared to speak.

무서워서 입이 안 떨어지더라고요.

Casual

"무서운 속도로 발전하다"

— To develop at a frightening speed (often positive but overwhelming).

한국 경제는 무서운 속도로 발전했다.

Formal

"무서운 칼날을 휘두르다"

— To wield a scary blade (metaphor for power or strict measures).

정부는 부패 척결의 무서운 칼날을 휘둘렀다.

Literary/Political

"무서운 뒷심"

— Scary endurance or late-game strength.

그 팀은 무서운 뒷심으로 역전승을 거두었다.

Sports

"무서운 침묵"

— A terrifying silence (pregnant with danger or tension).

방 안에는 무서운 침묵만이 감돌았다.

Literary

Easily Confused

무섭다 vs 무섭다 vs 두렵다

Both translate to 'to be afraid' in English.

무섭다 is for immediate, concrete, or external threats (spiders, ghosts). 두렵다 is for internal, psychological, or abstract concerns (the future, failure).

거미가 무섭다 (Spider is scary) vs 미래가 두렵다 (I fear the future).

무섭다 vs 무섭다 vs 무서워하다

They come from the same root.

무섭다 is an adjective (describes a state or quality). 무서워하다 is a verb (describes an action or a third person's emotion).

나는 개가 무섭다 (I am scared of dogs) vs 민수는 개를 무서워한다 (Minsu is scared of dogs).

무섭다 vs 무섭다 vs 무시무시하다

Both mean scary.

무시무시하다 is much stronger, like 'terrifying' or 'horrendous.'

무시무시한 괴물을 보았다 (I saw a terrifying monster).

무섭다 vs 무섭다 vs 섬뜩하다

Both relate to fear.

섬뜩하다 is specifically for a 'chilling' or 'eerie' feeling that makes your skin crawl.

그의 웃음소리가 섬뜩했다 (His laughter was chilling).

무섭다 vs 무섭다 vs 겁나다

Both mean 'to be scared'.

겁나다 is more informal and emphasizes the 'arising' of fear (겁).

혼자 가기 겁나요 (I'm scared to go alone).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun]이/가 무서워요.

개가 무서워요.

안 무서워요.

저는 안 무서워요.

무서운 [Noun]

무서운 영화를 봤어요.

무서워서 [Action]

무서워서 집에 갔어요.

[Action]ㄹ까 봐 무서워요.

넘어질까 봐 무서워요.

무서울 정도로 [Adjective/Verb]

무서울 정도로 똑똑해요.

무서운 기세로 [Verb]

무서운 기세로 달려왔어요.

무서운 섭리/이면

자연의 무서운 섭리를 깨달았다.

Word Family

Nouns

무서움 (museoum) - Fear; the state of being scared.

공포 (gongpo) - Terror; horror (Sino-Korean).

Verbs

무서워하다 (museoweohada) - To be scared (used for third person or as an action).

겁나다 (geomnada) - To be scared; for fear to arise.

Adjectives

무시무시하다 (musimusihada) - To be terrifying.

무섭다 (museopda) - To be scary; to be scared.

무서움증 (museoumjeung) - A tendency to be easily scared.

겁 (geom) - Fear; cowardice.

공포증 (gongpojeung) - Phobia.

소름 (soreum) - Goosebumps.

전율 (jeonyul) - Shudder; thrill.

How to Use It

frequency

Very High. It is one of the top 500 most used words in the Korean language.

Common Mistakes

Using 을/를 with 무섭다 → Using 이/가 with 무섭다
무섭다 is an adjective, so it cannot have a direct object. The thing causing fear is the subject.
Conjugating as 무섭어요 → Conjugating as 무서워요
This is a ㅂ-irregular adjective. The ㅂ must change to 우 before adding -어요.
Saying '민수는 무서워요' to mean 'Minsu is scared' → Saying '민수는 무서워해요'
Descriptive verbs like 무섭다 generally only apply to the speaker. For others, use the -어하다 form.
Using 무섭다 for abstract fear of failure → Using 두렵다 for abstract fear
While 무섭다 can be used, 두렵다 is much more natural for psychological or existential fears.
Adding '이다' (to be) to 무서워요 → Just saying 무서워요
In Korean, adjectives already include the 'to be' meaning. '무서워요' means 'is scary'.

Tips

Master the ㅂ-Irregular

Remember that '무섭다' follows the same pattern as '춥다' (cold) and '덥다' (hot). Practice them together to master the ㅂ -> 우 change.

Subject vs Object

Think of '무섭다' as 'to be scary.' If you say 'Dogs are scary,' it naturally explains why you use the subject particle '가' (강아지가 무서워요).

Third Person Rule

When talking about someone else's fear, always use '무서워하다.' Using '무섭다' for others sounds like you are describing their character, not their feelings.

Intimidation

Don't be surprised if someone calls a successful person '무서운 사람.' It's often a sign of respect for their relentless drive.

Use '겁나다' casually

If you want to sound more like a native in casual settings, try using '겁나(요)' instead of '무서워(요)' occasionally.

Modifier Form

The modifier form is '무서운.' Use it to describe nouns: '무서운 영화' (scary movie), '무서운 꿈' (scary dream).

Catch the Exclamation

In Korean media, '무서워!' is often shouted. Listen for the lack of '요' in high-stress, casual situations.

K-Horror context

Watch a Korean horror movie with subtitles. You will see '무섭다' used in many different ways throughout the film.

Economic 'Fear'

Learn the phrase '물가가 무섭다' (Prices are scary). It's a very common way to complain about inflation in Korea.

Tensed 'Da'

Make sure the '다' at the end of '무섭다' is pronounced like 'tta.' This tensing happens after the 'p' sound.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Moo' (cow) that is 'Seop' (sopping) wet and looks like a ghost. You would be '무섭다' (scared) of the 'Moo-Seop' ghost!

Visual Association

Visualize a dark hallway where the shadows look like the Korean characters 'ㅁ' and 'ㅅ'. The feeling of walking down that hallway is '무섭다'.

Word Web

무섭다 귀신 (Ghost) 영화 (Movie) 거미 (Spider) 밤 (Night) 선생님 (Teacher) 속도 (Speed) 물가 (Prices)

Challenge

Try to list three things that were '무서웠어요' to you when you were a child, using the past tense. Then list one thing that is '무서워요' now.

Word Origin

The word '무섭다' is a native Korean word (pure Korean). It has been used since Middle Korean in forms like '무셥다' (musyepda). The core root relates to the feeling of dread or being overwhelmed by something threatening.

Original meaning: To feel fear or to be in a state where one's heart trembles due to a threat.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Avoid using '무섭다' to describe people from specific groups or backgrounds, as it can be offensive. Stick to describing actions, atmospheres, or specific intimidating traits in a professional context.

English speakers often mix up 'scared' and 'scary.' In Korean, you only need one word, but the subject of the sentence is always the thing that causes the fear.

The movie 'Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum' is often cited as a '진짜 무서운 영화' (a truly scary movie). The variety show 'Infinite Challenge' (무한도전) had many famous 'scary' specials (귀곡성). The webtoon 'Strangers from Hell' (타인은 지옥이다) is described as having a '무서운 분위기'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Watching a horror movie

이 영화 너무 무서워요.
무서운 장면이 나와요.
무서워서 눈을 감았어요.
하나도 안 무서워요.

Talking about phobias

저는 거미가 무서워요.
높은 곳이 무서워요.
좁은 곳은 안 무서워요.
무엇이 가장 무서워요?

Walking home late at night

밤길이 너무 무서워요.
누가 따라올까 봐 무서워요.
무서우니까 같이 가요.
골목이 무섭게 생겼어요.

Describing a strict person

우리 부장님은 정말 무서워요.
선생님이 무서워서 숙제를 다 했어요.
무서운 표정을 짓고 있어요.
그 사람은 화나면 무서워요.

Economic concerns

물가가 무서운 줄 모르고 올라요.
세금 오르는 게 무서워요.
집값이 무서운 속도로 뛰고 있어요.
세상 무서운 줄 알아야지.

Conversation Starters

"가장 무서워하는 게 뭐예요? (What are you most scared of?)"

"최근에 본 영화 중에 뭐가 제일 무서웠어요? (Of the movies you've seen recently, which was the scariest?)"

"어릴 때 귀신이 무서웠어요? (Were you scared of ghosts when you were young?)"

"번지점프 하는 거 무섭지 않아요? (Isn't bungee jumping scary?)"

"한국에서 밤에 혼자 다니는 거 무서워요? (Is it scary to walk alone at night in Korea?)"

Journal Prompts

내가 가장 무서워하는 세 가지와 그 이유에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about the three things you are most scared of and the reasons why.)

살면서 가장 무서웠던 순간은 언제였나요? (When was the scariest moment in your life?)

무서운 영화를 좋아하는 편인가요, 아니면 싫어하는 편인가요? (Do you tend to like scary movies or dislike them?)

미래에 대해 무서운 점이 있다면 무엇인가요? (If there is anything scary about the future, what is it?)

무서운 사람을 만났을 때 어떻게 대처하나요? (How do you deal with it when you meet a scary person?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You say '무서워요' (museowoyo) in polite speech or '무서워' (museoweo) in casual speech. Note that you don't need to say 'I' if it's clear from the context.

It is an adjective (descriptive verb). This means it describes a state or quality and doesn't take an object particle like '-을/를'.

Because '무섭다' is a ㅂ-irregular word. When the stem ends in 'ㅂ' and meets a vowel, the 'ㅂ' changes to '우'. So, '무섭' + '어요' becomes '무서워요'.

Always use the subject particle '이' or '가'. For example, '귀신이 무서워요' (Ghosts are scary / I'm scared of ghosts).

Yes. '무서운 사람' can mean someone who looks scary, someone who is very strict, or someone who is intimidatingly talented.

Use '무섭다' for yourself or to say something is scary. Use '무서워하다' for other people (e.g., 'My friend is scared').

You can say '안 무서워요' (an museowoyo) or '무섭지 않아요' (museopji anayo).

Yes, you say '높은 곳이 무서워요' (I'm scared of high places).

Not exactly 'awesome,' but it can mean 'intimidatingly good' or 'frighteningly fast' in a metaphorical sense.

The past tense is '무서웠어요' (museoweotsseoyo) in polite speech.