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B2 noun 9 min read

자괴감

jagwaegam
Examples 자괴감 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 자괴감 in your Level:
At the A1 level, '자괴감' is too difficult to use actively. However, you can understand it as a 'very, very sad feeling about yourself.' It is like when you want to do something well, but you cannot, and you feel bad inside. Imagine you are learning Korean and you forget a simple word. You might feel a little bit of this. At this level, just remember that '자' means 'self' and '감' means 'feeling.' You will mostly hear this word in dramas when a character is crying because they think they are not good enough. You don't need to say this word yet. Instead, you can use simple words like '슬퍼요' (I am sad) or '속상해요' (I am upset). But knowing that this word exists will help you understand the deeper emotions of Korean people. It is a word about the heart and how we look at ourselves. If you see it in a book, just think: 'This person is feeling very ashamed of who they are.'
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For A2 learners, '자괴감' is a word you might start to see in subtitles or hear in songs. It is a noun that means 'feeling ashamed of yourself.' You can think of it as a combination of 'I' (자) and 'ashamed' (괴) and 'feeling' (감). At this level, you should focus on the basic structure: '자괴감이 들어요' (I feel self-reproach). You might feel this when you study very hard but get a bad grade. It's more than just being sad; it's being disappointed in yourself. In Korea, people care a lot about doing things well, so they use this word when they feel they failed. You can compare it to '부끄러워요' (I'm ashamed), but '자괴감' is more serious and usually stays inside your mind. Try to recognize it when you hear it in emotional scenes in movies. It often appears when someone is talking about their job or their mistakes. Even if you don't use it, knowing it helps you understand that Korean has many specific words for different types of feelings.
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At the B1 level, you should begin to understand the nuance of '자괴감' compared to other emotion words. It is a 'sense of self-reproach' or 'shame.' You will often find it used with the verb '들다' (to occur) or '느끼다' (to feel). For example, '시험에 떨어져서 자괴감이 들었어요' (I felt self-reproach because I failed the exam). This word is common in social contexts in Korea, such as when people talk about their 'spec' (qualifications) or their career progress. It's an internal feeling. Unlike '수치심' (shame), which you might feel if someone laughs at you, '자괴감' is what you feel when you laugh at yourself for being inadequate. You should be able to identify this word in news articles or longer stories. It's a key word for discussing mental health or personal struggles. When you use it, you sound more like a native speaker who understands deep, complex emotions. Practice using it in sentences like '남들과 비교하면 자괴감이 들 때가 있어요' (There are times I feel self-reproach when I compare myself to others).
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At the B2 level, you are expected to use '자괴감' accurately in both speech and writing. You should understand that this word carries a heavy, often existential weight. It's not just about a single mistake; it's about a perceived failure of character or ability. You should be familiar with collocations like '자괴감에 빠지다' (to fall into a sense of self-reproach) and '자괴감을 극복하다' (to overcome self-reproach). At this level, you can use it to discuss societal issues, such as how the high cost of living in Seoul gives young people a sense of '자괴감.' You should also be able to distinguish it from '죄책감' (guilt). While '죄책감' is about doing something wrong (morality), '자괴감' is about feeling pathetic (competence/identity). You might use it in a job interview (carefully!) or an essay about personal growth. It's a word that shows you can express abstract concepts. Understanding the cultural context, such as the famous '내가 이러려고...' quote, is also important for B2 learners to grasp the word's impact in modern Korean society.
For C1 learners, '자괴감' is a versatile tool for deep psychological and social analysis. You should understand its philosophical implications—the tension between the 'Ideal Ego' and the 'Actual Ego.' In academic or literary contexts, you might analyze how '자괴감' functions as a motivator or a destructive force in Korean literature. You should be comfortable using it in complex sentence structures, such as '자신의 이상과 현실 사이의 괴리에서 오는 자괴감' (The self-reproach arising from the gap between one's ideals and reality). You should also recognize its use in political discourse, where it is often used to describe the 'lost dignity' of a nation or a specific class of people. At this level, you can explore synonyms like '모멸감' (sense of humiliation) or '비애' (sorrow/pathos) and explain the subtle differences in tone. Your usage should reflect an understanding that '자괴감' is often a silent, internal struggle that can lead to burnout or social withdrawal. You can use it to critique societal structures that foster such negative self-evaluations.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '자괴감' and its place in the Korean linguistic landscape. You can use it with precision in any register, from high-level academic papers on psychology to nuanced literary criticism. You understand how the word has evolved and its specific resonance in the 21st-century Korean 'Hell Joseon' discourse. You can discuss the word's relationship with other Hanja-based terms like '자괴심' or '자책감' and explain why '자괴감' became the dominant form in modern parlance. You are capable of using the word to describe complex, multi-layered emotional states, perhaps combining it with terms like '상실감' (sense of loss) or '무력감' (sense of helplessness). In a debate or a high-level discussion, you can use '자괴감' to articulate the psychological toll of systemic inequality. You also understand the irony or sarcasm when the word is used in memes, showing a full cultural immersion. Your ability to use '자괴감' is not just about vocabulary; it's about understanding the deep-seated Korean value of self-improvement and the pain that comes when that drive is frustrated.
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Examples

자괴감 in 30 Seconds

  • 자괴감 means self-reproach or feeling ashamed of yourself, often due to a sense of incompetence or failure in meeting one's own internal standards.
  • It is a common B2-level noun used to describe deep internal disappointment, frequently appearing with verbs like '들다' (to feel) or '빠지다' (to fall into).
  • Unlike guilt (죄책감), which is about actions, 자괴감 is about one's identity and perceived inadequacy, making it a more existential and internal emotion.
  • Culturally significant in Korea, it reflects the psychological pressure of high societal expectations and is often discussed in the context of career and life milestones.

The Korean word 자괴감 (Jagwaegam) is a profound psychological term that translates most closely to 'self-reproach,' 'a sense of shame regarding oneself,' or 'the feeling of being pathetic in one's own eyes.' Unlike common shame (수치심), which often involves an audience or a social standard, 자괴감 is a deeply internal, reflexive emotion. It is the crushing weight of realizing that you have failed to meet your own standards, or the feeling that your current existence is far removed from who you ought to be. In the modern Korean context, this word has gained significant cultural weight, often used by individuals who feel they are falling behind in a hyper-competitive society. It is the emotion felt by a student who fails an exam for the third time, a job seeker who sees their peers succeeding while they remain stationary, or even a professional who realizes their work lacks the meaning they once envisioned. The etymology of the word, rooted in Hanja, provides a clear map of its meaning: 자 (自 - Self), 괴 (愧 - Ashamed), and 감 (感 - Feeling). Together, they form a 'feeling of being ashamed of oneself.'

Emotional Core
The essence of 자괴감 is the gap between the ideal self and the actual self. When this gap becomes a source of pain rather than motivation, it manifests as 자괴감.
Social Context
In Korea, this word is frequently used in media and news to describe the public's reaction to systemic unfairness or personal failures in the face of societal pressure.

계속되는 실패에 나는 깊은 자괴감에 빠졌다. (I fell into a deep sense of self-reproach due to continuous failures.)

When people use this word, they are usually expressing a state of low self-esteem mixed with guilt. It is not just being 'sad'; it is being 'disappointed in who I am.' For example, a parent might feel 자괴감 if they cannot provide for their children, or a student might feel it after wasting a whole day procrastinating. It is a heavy word, often associated with words like '빠지다' (to fall into) or '들다' (to enter/feel), suggesting that the emotion is like a pit or a sudden realization that takes over the mind. Understanding 자괴감 is key to understanding the Korean psyche, particularly the 'N-po generation' (those giving up on life milestones) who often struggle with this feeling as they navigate economic hardships. It is a word of introspection, often used in journals, therapy, or deep conversations with close friends when one feels truly 'small' or 'inadequate.'

내가 이러려고 공부했나 하는 자괴감이 들었다. (I felt a sense of self-reproach, wondering if this was really why I studied so hard.)

Linguistic Nuance
It is more formal and heavier than '부끄럽다' (to be shy/ashamed). It implies a lasting emotional state rather than a momentary embarrassment.

Using 자괴감 correctly requires understanding its common collocations and the emotional weight it carries. It is a noun, but it almost always appears with specific verbs that describe the onset or the state of the feeling. The most common verb is 들다 (to enter/to occur). When you say '자괴감이 들다,' it implies that the feeling has spontaneously arisen within you, often as a result of a specific event or realization. Another common verb is 느끼다 (to feel), which is a more conscious acknowledgement of the emotion. For a more intense or prolonged state, Koreans use 빠지다 (to fall into), as in '자괴감에 빠지다,' suggesting that the person is trapped in a cycle of self-loathing. Because it is a B2-level word, it is used frequently in written essays, news reports, and serious interpersonal dialogue. It is rarely used in lighthearted contexts.

남들과 비교하다 보니 자꾸 자괴감이 들어요. (As I keep comparing myself to others, I constantly feel a sense of self-reproach.)

In formal writing, you might see it used with 주다 (to give) or 안겨주다 (to bestow/give), especially when a social situation or a government policy makes a group of people feel inadequate. For example, '불공정한 사회 시스템이 청년들에게 자괴감을 안겨주었다' (The unfair social system gave young people a sense of self-reproach). This highlights that while the feeling is internal, its cause can be external. When constructing sentences, remember that 자괴감 is often the subject (with -이/가) or the object (with -을/를) of the sentence, depending on whether the feeling is acting upon you or you are experiencing the feeling. It is also often preceded by a clause describing the reason for the feeling, using '-ㄴ다는 것에' or '-ㄹ 때마다'.

Common Pattern 1
[Reason/Situation] + 자괴감이 들다/느끼다. (To feel self-reproach because of [Reason].)
Common Pattern 2
자괴감에 빠져서 [Resulting Action]. (To fall into self-reproach and then [Action].)

그는 자신의 무능력함에 깊은 자괴감을 느꼈다. (He felt a deep sense of self-reproach at his own incompetence.)

You will encounter 자괴감 in a variety of high-stakes or emotional settings. In Korean dramas (K-Dramas), this word is a staple during 'dark night of the soul' moments. A protagonist who has lost their job, been betrayed, or failed to protect someone will often sit alone and mutter about their 자괴감. It conveys a level of despair that 'sadness' (슬픔) cannot reach. You will also hear it in news broadcasts, particularly when discussing social issues like the housing crisis or the difficulty of the civil service exam. In these contexts, reporters use it to describe a collective feeling of inadequacy among a demographic. For instance, '집값 상승으로 무주택자들의 자괴감이 커지고 있습니다' (The sense of self-reproach among non-homeowners is growing due to rising house prices).

“내가 이러려고 대통령을 했나 하는 자괴감이 들 정도로 괴롭습니다.” (It is so painful that I feel a sense of self-reproach, wondering if this is why I became president.)

This specific quote by former President Park Geun-hye in 2016 became a massive cultural meme in Korea, cementing the word in the public consciousness. It is now often used satirically or humorously when someone fails at a simple task, though its primary use remains serious. In literature and essays, authors use 자괴감 to explore the human condition and the pain of self-reflection. If you watch talk shows or reality shows like 'I Live Alone' (나 혼자 산다), you might hear celebrities talk about the 자괴감 they felt during their 'nugu' (unknown) days. It is a word that bridges the gap between personal psychology and social commentary.

News & Media
Used to describe the psychological impact of economic or political scandals on the general public.
Daily Life
Used in serious conversations about career, relationships, or personal growth.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 자괴감 (Jagwaegam) with 죄책감 (Joechaekgam). While both involve negative self-evaluation, their focus is different. 죄책감 is 'guilt'—it arises when you have done something wrong to someone else or violated a moral code. You feel guilty *for* an action. 자괴감, however, is about your *identity* and *competence*. You feel 자괴감 because you think you are fundamentally lacking or pathetic. If you break a friend's vase, you feel 죄책감. If you realize you are 30 years old and don't have a stable job while all your friends are successful, you feel 자괴감. Another common confusion is with 수치심 (Sucheeshim), which is 'shame.' Shame is usually felt in relation to others watching you; 자괴감 can be felt entirely in private, often being even more painful because there is no one else to blame.

자괴감 vs. 죄책감
자괴감 = 'I am pathetic.' (Focus on Self/Ability). 죄책감 = 'I did something bad.' (Focus on Action/Morality).
자괴감 vs. 열등감
자괴감 is the *shame* of being low. 열등감 (Inferiority complex) is the *comparison* that leads to that shame.

Another mistake is using the wrong particle. Since it's a feeling that 'occurs,' learners often use '-을' with '들다,' but it must be '자괴감이 들다.' If you use '느끼다,' then '-을' is correct: '자괴감을 느끼다.' Also, be careful not to use this word for trivial things. If you just dropped your ice cream, '자괴감이 들어' sounds overly dramatic and almost sarcastic. Use '속상해' (I'm upset) or '아쉬워' (It's a pity) instead. 자괴감 is reserved for deep existential or professional disappointment.

틀린 표현: 친구에게 거짓말을 해서 자괴감이 느껴져요. (Better to use 죄책감 here if the focus is the lie itself.)

While 자괴감 is unique, several other words occupy the same emotional territory. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation. 자책 (Jachaek) is 'self-blame.' It is the active process of criticizing oneself. While 자괴감 is the *feeling* of shame, 자책 is the *act* of blaming. You might feel 자괴감 *because* of your constant 자책. Another related word is 비굴함 (Bigulham), which refers to being servile or cowardly. If you feel 자괴감 because you didn't stand up for yourself, you might describe your actions as 비굴하다. 허탈감 (Heotalgam) is the feeling of emptiness or despondency after a great effort results in nothing. This often goes hand-in-hand with 자괴감 when a long-term goal is not met.

수치심 (Shame)
More social and external. The feeling of being 'exposed' or 'disgraced' in front of others.
열등감 (Inferiority Complex)
The feeling that you are lesser than others. It is the comparative root that often leads to 자괴감.
회의감 (Skepticism/Doubt)
Often used as '직업에 대한 회의감' (doubts about one's career). It is less about shame and more about questioning the meaning of what you do.

If you want to express a milder version of this feeling, you might use 자신감이 떨어지다 (to lose confidence) or 풀이 죽다 (to be dispirited). In very formal or literary settings, 자괴 (Jagwae) can be used as a noun on its own, meaning 'self-shame.' For example, '자괴를 느끼다.' However, in 99% of modern conversations, the suffix -감 (feeling) is added to make it 자괴감. When you are writing a diary entry, choosing between these words depends on whether you are blaming your actions (자책), feeling lesser than a friend (열등감), or simply feeling pathetic about your situation (자괴감).

열등감은 남과의 비교에서 오고, 자괴감은 스스로에 대한 실망에서 온다. (Inferiority comes from comparison with others, while self-reproach comes from disappointment in oneself.)

Pronunciation Guide

UK t͡ɕa.ɡwe.ɡam
US dʒɑ.ɡweɪ.ɡɑm
Equal stress on all syllables, typical of Korean word structure.
Rhymes With
죄책감 (Joechaekgam) 우월감 (Uwolgam) 열등감 (Yeoldeunggam) 안도감 (Andogam) 소외감 (Sowaegam) 무력감 (Muryeokgam) 상실감 (Sangsilgam) 회의감 (Hoeuigam)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'gwae' as 'go-ae' (two syllables). It should be one glide.
  • Making the 'j' too sharp like a 'z'.
  • Pronouncing 'gam' like 'jam' with an 'ae' sound instead of 'ah'.
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Examples by Level

1

저는 오늘 자괴감이 들어요.

I feel self-reproach today.

Noun + -이 들어요 (feeling occurs).

2

자괴감은 슬픈 마음이에요.

Self-reproach is a sad heart/feeling.

Noun + -은/는 (definition).

3

친구는 자괴감을 느껴요.

My friend feels self-reproach.

Noun + -을 느껴요 (to feel).

4

그는 자괴감 때문에 울어요.

He is crying because of self-reproach.

Noun + 때문에 (because of).

5

자괴감이 뭐예요?

What is self-reproach?

Question form.

6

너무 자괴감 갖지 마세요.

Don't have too much self-reproach.

-지 마세요 (don't do).

7

공부를 안 해서 자괴감이 들어요.

I feel self-reproach because I didn't study.

-아서/어서 (reason).

8

자괴감은 아주 나빠요.

Self-reproach is very bad.

Simple adjective use.

1

실수를 하면 자괴감이 들 때가 있어요.

There are times I feel self-reproach when I make a mistake.

-ㄹ 때 (when).

2

그녀는 자신의 모습에 자괴감을 느꼈어요.

She felt self-reproach at her own appearance.

Past tense -었/았다.

3

자괴감이 들지만 다시 시작할 거예요.

I feel self-reproach, but I will start again.

-지만 (but).

4

왜 그렇게 자괴감에 빠져 있어요?

Why are you so fallen into self-reproach?

-아/어 있다 (state of being).

5

자괴감을 버리고 힘을 내세요.

Throw away the self-reproach and cheer up.

-고 (and/then).

6

그 말을 듣고 자괴감이 들었어요.

I felt self-reproach after hearing those words.

Hearing + consequence.

7

자괴감은 무거운 감정이에요.

Self-reproach is a heavy emotion.

Noun modification.

8

시험 결과 때문에 자괴감이 생겼어요.

Self-reproach arose because of the exam results.

생기다 (to arise/be created).

1

남들과 비교하는 습관은 자괴감을 불러일으킨다.

The habit of comparing oneself with others triggers self-reproach.

불러일으키다 (to trigger/arouse).

2

그는 실패를 겪은 후 깊은 자괴감에 빠졌다.

After experiencing failure, he fell into deep self-reproach.

-은 후 (after doing).

3

자괴감이 들 때는 좋아하는 취미를 해 보세요.

When you feel self-reproach, try doing a hobby you like.

-아/어 보세요 (try doing).

4

자신의 무능력함에 대한 자괴감이 그를 괴롭혔다.

Self-reproach about his own incompetence tormented him.

Subject + 괴롭히다 (to torment).

5

어려운 상황에서도 자괴감을 느끼지 않으려고 노력했다.

I tried not to feel self-reproach even in difficult situations.

-지 않으려고 노력하다 (try not to).

6

자괴감은 우리를 더 힘들게 만들 뿐이다.

Self-reproach only makes us suffer more.

-을 뿐이다 (only/nothing but).

7

어떻게 하면 자괴감에서 벗어날 수 있을까요?

How can I escape from self-reproach?

-ㄹ 수 있을까요? (can I?).

8

자괴감이 드는 것은 자연스러운 일이다.

It is a natural thing to feel self-reproach.

-는 것은 ... 일이다 (fact/nature).

1

면접에서 떨어진 후 한동안 자괴감에서 헤어 나오지 못했다.

After failing the interview, I couldn't get out of self-reproach for a while.

헤어 나오다 (to get out of/escape).

2

부모님께 손을 벌리는 내 모습에 자괴감이 들었다.

I felt self-reproach at the sight of myself asking my parents for money.

손을 벌리다 (idiom: to ask for financial help).

3

사회의 불공정함이 청년들에게 심한 자괴감을 안겨주고 있다.

Social unfairness is giving young people a severe sense of self-reproach.

안겨주다 (to give/bestow a feeling).

4

자괴감에 사로잡혀 아무것도 할 수 없었다.

I was seized by self-reproach and couldn't do anything.

사로잡히다 (to be seized/captured).

5

그는 자괴감을 극복하고 다시 일어서기로 결심했다.

He decided to overcome self-reproach and stand up again.

결심하다 (to decide/resolve).

6

자괴감은 종종 우울증의 초기 증상으로 나타나기도 한다.

Self-reproach often appears as an early symptom of depression.

-기도 하다 (sometimes does).

7

자신의 선택에 대해 자괴감을 느끼는 것은 고통스러운 일이다.

Feeling self-reproach about one's own choices is a painful thing.

-는 것은 ... 일이다.

8

자괴감을 털어놓자 마음이 한결 가벼워졌다.

Once I confessed my self-reproach, my heart felt much lighter.

털어놓다 (to confess/pour out).

1

현대인들은 끊임없는 경쟁 속에서 자괴감이라는 질병을 앓고 있다.

Modern people are suffering from the disease called self-reproach amidst constant competition.

질병을 앓다 (to suffer from a disease).

2

그의 글에는 창작자로서 느끼는 고뇌와 자괴감이 고스란히 담겨 있다.

His writing fully contains the agony and self-reproach he feels as a creator.

고스란히 담겨 있다 (to be fully contained).

3

자괴감은 때로 자기 성찰의 계기가 되기도 하지만, 과도하면 독이 된다.

Self-reproach sometimes becomes an opportunity for self-reflection, but it becomes poison if excessive.

계기가 되다 (to become a turning point/opportunity).

4

조직 내에서의 소외감은 필연적으로 자괴감으로 이어진다.

A sense of alienation within an organization inevitably leads to self-reproach.

필연적으로 (inevitably).

5

그는 자신의 비겁한 행동을 떠올릴 때마다 밀려오는 자괴감을 견디기 힘들었다.

He found it hard to endure the waves of self-reproach that rushed in whenever he thought of his cowardly actions.

밀려오다 (to rush in/surge).

6

정치적 스캔들은 국민들에게 깊은 자괴감과 배신감을 안겨주었다.

The political scandal gave the citizens a deep sense of self-reproach and betrayal.

안겨주다 (to bestow).

7

자괴감의 늪에서 벗어나기 위해서는 자신을 용서하는 법을 배워야 한다.

To escape the swamp of self-reproach, one must learn how to forgive oneself.

자괴감의 늪 (metaphor: swamp of self-reproach).

8

성과 지표에만 매몰된 문화가 구성원들의 자괴감을 부추기고 있다.

A culture immersed only in performance indicators is inciting members' self-reproach.

부추기다 (to incite/instigate).

1

인간의 실존적 고독은 종종 근원적인 자괴감과 맞닿아 있다.

Human existential loneliness is often in touch with fundamental self-reproach.

맞닿아 있다 (to be in contact with).

2

작가는 주인공의 내면 묘사를 통해 자괴감의 파괴적인 속성을 고발한다.

The author exposes the destructive nature of self-reproach through the depiction of the protagonist's inner self.

고발하다 (to expose/accuse).

3

지나친 완벽주의는 필연적으로 자괴감을 수반하며 창의성을 저해한다.

Excessive perfectionism inevitably entails self-reproach and hinders creativity.

수반하다 (to entail/accompany).

4

그의 침묵은 자괴감의 발로이자, 동시에 무언의 항변이었다.

His silence was an expression of self-reproach and, at the same time, a silent protest.

발로 (expression/manifestation).

5

사회의 구조적 모순을 개인의 능력 부족으로 치환할 때 자괴감이 발생한다.

Self-reproach occurs when social structural contradictions are substituted for an individual's lack of ability.

치환하다 (to substitute/replace).

6

자괴감이라는 감정의 소용돌이 속에서 그는 자신의 정체성을 잃어갔다.

In the vortex of emotion called self-reproach, he began to lose his identity.

감정의 소용돌이 (vortex of emotion).

7

윤리적 딜레마 앞에서 그는 극심한 자괴감과 도덕적 해이 사이에서 방황했다.

Faced with an ethical dilemma, he wandered between extreme self-reproach and moral hazard.

방황하다 (to wander/loiter).

8

자괴감을 승화시켜 예술로 승화시킨 그의 노력은 높게 평가받아야 한다.

His effort to sublimate self-reproach into art should be highly evaluated.

승화시키다 (to sublimate).

Common Collocations

자괴감이 들다
자괴감을 느끼다
자괴감에 빠지다
자괴감을 주다/안겨주다
자괴감을 씻다
자괴감을 극복하다
심한 자괴감
자괴감이 밀려오다
자괴감을 털어놓다
자괴감에 시달리다

Common Phrases

자괴감이 들어서 죽고 싶다

— A dramatic expression of extreme distress (use with caution).

자괴감이 들어서 죽고 싶은 심정이에요.

내가 이러려고... 자괴감이 든다

— A meme phrase expressing 'Did I do all this just for this pathetic result?'

내가 이러려고 요리를 배웠나 자괴감이 드네.

자괴감 끝판왕

— Slang for the ultimate or worst feeling of self-reproach.

오늘 정말 자괴감 끝판왕을 경험했어.

자괴감 쩌네

— Slang: 'The self-reproach is intense.'

와, 내 점수 보니까 자괴감 쩌네.

자괴감 폭발

— When the feeling of self-reproach suddenly becomes overwhelming.

동창회 다녀와서 자괴감 폭발했어.

자괴감 유발자

— Someone or something that makes you feel pathetic by comparison.

그 친구는 정말 자괴감 유발자야.

자괴감 제로

— Having no sense of shame or self-reproach (often used for shameless people).

그 사람은 잘못을 하고도 자괴감이 제로야.

자괴감에 몸서리치다

— To shudder with a sense of self-reproach.

자신의 비겁함에 자괴감으로 몸서리쳤다.

깊은 자괴감

— A standard way to describe intense self-reproach.

깊은 자괴감에 잠을 이루지 못했다.

자괴감 섞인 목소리

— A voice mixed with a sense of self-reproach.

그는 자괴감 섞인 목소리로 사과했다.

Idioms & Expressions

"쥐구멍에 들어가고 싶다"

— To want to hide in a mouse hole (to be extremely ashamed).

자괴감이 들어서 쥐구멍에라도 들어가고 싶었다.

Neutral
"낯을 들 수 없다"

— To be unable to lift one's face (to be too ashamed to face others).

자괴감에 부모님 앞에서 낯을 들 수 없었다.

Neutral
"얼굴이 화끈거리다"

— One's face burns (with shame).

자신의 실수를 생각하니 자괴감에 얼굴이 화끈거렸다.

Informal
"가슴을 치다"

— To beat one's chest (in regret or self-reproach).

자괴감에 가슴을 치며 후회했다.

Neutral
"땅이 꺼지게 한숨을 쉬다"

— To sigh so deeply the ground might sink (often from 자괴감).

그는 자괴감에 땅이 꺼지게 한숨을 쉬었다.

Neutral
"고개를 못 들다"

— Cannot lift one's head (due to shame).

자괴감 때문에 고개를 못 들고 있었다.

Neutral
"내 코가 석 자"

— My own nose is three feet long (I'm in such a bad state/shame I can't help others).

자괴감에 빠져 내 코가 석 자라 남을 도울 여유가 없다.

Informal
"자다가 하이킥"

— Kicking the blanket while sleeping (recalling a shameful moment).

그때 일을 생각하면 자괴감에 자다가 하이킥을 한다.

Slang
"뼈저리게 느끼다"

— To feel something to the bone (deeply).

자신의 무능함을 뼈저리게 느끼며 자괴감에 빠졌다.

Neutral
"가슴에 대못을 박다"

— To drive a large nail into the heart (to cause deep pain/shame).

나의 실패는 스스로의 가슴에 대못을 박는 자괴감을 주었다.

Neutral

Word Family

Nouns

자괴 (Self-shame)
자괴심 (Heart of self-shame)

Verbs

자괴하다 (To feel self-shame - rare)

Adjectives

자괴적 (Self-shaming/Self-reproachful)

Related

수치심
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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

耻辱 Chinese
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