Explanation at your level:
괴로움 means pain or sadness. If you are sad or hurt, you feel 괴로움. It is a very common word in Korean. Use it when you want to say you are having a hard time.
When you have a big problem, you feel 괴로움. It is not just a small sad feeling; it is a deeper feeling of distress. You can say 'My heart has 괴로움' to tell a friend you are struggling.
괴로움 is often used to describe emotional agony. It is a useful word when discussing mental health or difficult life situations. You might hear people say they want to escape their 괴로움.
In more advanced contexts, 괴로움 describes the internal conflict or existential weight of a situation. It is more specific than just 'sadness' (슬픔) because it implies a sense of being trapped or burdened by the circumstances.
The nuance of 괴로움 often touches on the philosophical or psychological aspects of suffering. It is frequently used in literature to depict characters undergoing profound trials. It implies a persistent state of agitation rather than a fleeting emotion.
At the mastery level, 괴로움 is understood as a fundamental human condition. It captures the essence of struggle against external or internal pressures. Its usage in formal essays or poetry highlights the depth of human experience and the complexity of overcoming adversity.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 괴로움 is a noun meaning emotional or physical distress.
- It comes from the adjective 괴롭다.
- It is used to express deep personal struggle.
- It is a native Korean word with high emotional impact.
Hey there! Let's talk about 괴로움. This word is the go-to term in Korean for describing that heavy, aching feeling we get when life gets tough. Whether it's a broken heart, a stressful situation, or just a bad day, 괴로움 captures that internal struggle perfectly.
Think of it as the noun form of the verb 괴롭다 (to be painful/distressing). When you use this word, you are essentially naming the suffering or agony itself. It’s a very expressive word that helps you communicate deep feelings to others.
The word 괴로움 is derived from the adjective 괴롭다. In Middle Korean, the root 괴- was associated with the concept of being twisted or troubled. Over centuries, it evolved to specifically represent the state of being emotionally or physically burdened.
It shares linguistic roots with other words describing internal turmoil. It is a purely Korean word (native origin) rather than a Sino-Korean (Hanja) term, which makes it feel very personal and raw when used in daily conversation.
You will hear 괴로움 in both casual and serious contexts. It is commonly used when someone is venting to a friend or describing a difficult life chapter. Common collocations include 괴로움을 겪다 (to experience distress) or 괴로움을 잊다 (to forget one's troubles).
While it can be used in formal writing, it is most powerful in personal narratives. It carries a sense of sincerity that makes it a great choice for expressing genuine pain or empathy toward someone else's situation.
1. 괴로움의 끝: The end of suffering. 2. 괴로움을 달래다: To soothe one's pain. 3. 산다는 게 괴로움이다: Life is suffering (a philosophical take). 4. 괴로움을 나누다: To share the burden of distress. 5. 괴로움에 몸부림치다: To writhe in agony.
괴로움 is a noun formed by attaching the suffix -음 to the adjective stem 괴롭-. This is a standard way to turn adjectives into nouns in Korean. The pronunciation is straightforward: 'gwe-ro-um'.
Note that the 'ㅂ' in 괴롭다 changes to '우' before the suffix. This is a common pattern in Korean grammar called the 'ㅂ irregular conjugation'. Practice saying it slowly to get the flow right!
Fun Fact
The root '괴-' is ancient and appears in many emotional words.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Korean pronunciation
Standard Korean pronunciation
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'oe' sound
- Adding extra syllables
- Incorrect vowel length
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun form -음
괴롭다 -> 괴로움
ㅂ irregular
괴롭+음 -> 괴로움
Subject marker
괴로움이
Examples by Level
괴로움이 있어요.
I have distress.
Simple noun usage.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
괴로움을 참아요.
그의 괴로움이 커요.
괴로움은 힘들어요.
마음의 괴로움.
괴로움을 말해요.
괴로움이 끝났어요.
왜 괴로움이 있나요?
괴로움을 잊어요.
그는 큰 괴로움을 겪고 있어요.
괴로움을 나누면 반이 돼요.
그녀는 괴로움을 숨겼어요.
괴로움에서 벗어나고 싶어요.
괴로움이 얼굴에 나타나요.
시간이 괴로움을 해결해 줄 거예요.
괴로움은 성장의 밑거름입니다.
그의 괴로움은 깊었습니다.
그는 깊은 괴로움 속에서 방황했다.
괴로움을 극복하는 과정은 길다.
그녀의 괴로움은 말로 표현할 수 없었다.
괴로움은 사람을 성숙하게 만든다.
그는 자신의 괴로움을 글로 썼다.
괴로움에 몸부림치는 밤이었다.
사회적 괴로움이 증가하고 있다.
그는 괴로움을 딛고 일어섰다.
그의 내면에는 해결되지 않은 괴로움이 자리 잡고 있었다.
괴로움은 때로 창의성의 원천이 되기도 한다.
그는 자신의 괴로움을 철학적으로 승화시켰다.
괴로움의 근원을 파악하는 것이 중요하다.
그녀는 괴로움을 담담하게 받아들였다.
괴로움은 인간 존재의 불가피한 부분이다.
그는 괴로움을 통해 삶의 의미를 찾았다.
괴로움이 극에 달해 그는 결국 포기했다.
실존적 괴로움은 인간이 피할 수 없는 숙명과도 같다.
그는 괴로움의 심연을 들여다보는 듯한 표정을 지었다.
괴로움은 단순한 고통을 넘어선 영혼의 성찰이다.
그의 예술은 개인적인 괴로움을 보편적인 언어로 변환한다.
괴로움의 무게를 견디는 것은 결코 쉬운 일이 아니다.
그는 괴로움이라는 감옥에서 스스로를 해방시켰다.
괴로움은 인간 의식의 확장을 가져오는 촉매제가 된다.
그의 문학은 괴로움의 미학을 극명하게 보여준다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"괴로움의 늪"
A deep state of distress
그는 괴로움의 늪에 빠졌다.
literary"괴로움을 딛고"
Overcoming distress
괴로움을 딛고 성공했다.
neutral"괴로움의 연속"
Continuous suffering
삶은 괴로움의 연속이다.
neutral"괴로움을 토로하다"
To express/vent distress
그는 괴로움을 토로했다.
formal"괴로움이 사무치다"
Distress piercing the heart
그리움과 괴로움이 사무친다.
literary"괴로움을 안고 살다"
To live with distress
그는 평생 괴로움을 안고 살았다.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean pain
고통 is often physical/intense; 괴로움 is emotional.
고통을 참다 vs 괴로움을 참다.
Both are negative
슬픔 is sadness; 괴로움 is distress/agony.
슬픔에 잠기다 vs 괴로움에 빠지다.
Both are mental
고뇌 is deep philosophical anguish.
삶의 고뇌.
Both are mental
번민 is internal conflict/worry.
번민하는 마음.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 괴로움을 + Verb
그는 괴로움을 겪었다.
괴로움이 + Subject + Verb
괴로움이 밀려왔다.
Subject + 괴로움에 + Verb
그는 괴로움에 빠졌다.
Subject + 괴로움을 + Verb + (으)며
괴로움을 느끼며 살았다.
Subject + 괴로움을 + Verb + (으)로
괴로움으로 잠을 못 잤다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
괴로움 is a noun, not an adjective.
고통 is often physical, 괴로움 is more emotional.
The suffix is -음, not -음.
괴로움 is for distress, not boredom.
괴로움 is quite heavy for casual conversation.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a heavy weight on your chest.
When Native Speakers Use It
When someone is confiding in you.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the value of empathy.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember -음 makes it a noun.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'oe' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for boredom.
Did You Know?
It is a native Korean word.
Study Smart
Pair it with '괴롭다'.
Context Matters
Use it for deep feelings.
Practice
Record yourself saying it.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Gwe' (like 'Gosh') + 'Ro' (road) + 'Um' (humming) - walking a hard road humming in pain.
Visual Association
A person walking alone on a dark road.
Word Web
Challenge
Write one sentence about a time you felt 괴로움.
Word Origin
Native Korean
Original meaning: To be twisted or troubled
Cultural Context
None, but use with empathy.
Equates to 'anguish' or 'distress'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- 학업의 괴로움
- 괴로움을 상담하다
- 괴로움을 잊고 공부하다
At work
- 업무의 괴로움
- 괴로움을 토로하다
- 괴로움을 참아내다
In relationships
- 사랑의 괴로움
- 괴로움을 나누다
- 괴로움에서 벗어나다
In life
- 삶의 괴로움
- 괴로움을 극복하다
- 괴로움을 안고 살다
Conversation Starters
"요즘 괴로움이 있나요?"
"괴로울 때 어떻게 하시나요?"
"괴로움을 잊는 방법이 있나요?"
"누군가와 괴로움을 나눈 적 있나요?"
"괴로움은 성장에 도움이 될까요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 느낀 괴로움에 대해 써보세요.
괴로움을 극복했던 경험을 적어보세요.
내가 생각하는 괴로움의 의미는 무엇인가요?
괴로울 때 나를 위로하는 것들은 무엇인가요?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, 괴로움 implies more struggle or distress.
Yes, but '고통' is more common for physical pain.
It is neutral and used in daily life.
Use '괴롭다' (adjective) or '괴롭히다' (verb).
기쁨 or 행복.
Rarely, unless discussing personal hardship.
Yes, it fits well.
Yes, it describes a negative state.
Test Yourself
그는 ___을 느꼈다.
Context requires a feeling.
Which is a synonym for 괴로움?
고통 is a synonym.
괴로움 is an adjective.
It is a noun.
Word
Meaning
Correct collocation.
Subject-Object-Verb order.
그는 ___을 딛고 성공했다.
You overcome distress.
What is the nuance of 괴로움?
It implies deep emotional pain.
괴로움 is used only for physical pain.
It is mostly emotional.
Standard sentence structure.
그의 문학은 ___의 미학을 담고 있다.
Fits the literary context.
Score: /10
Summary
괴로움 is the noun for the heavy, painful state of emotional distress.
- 괴로움 is a noun meaning emotional or physical distress.
- It comes from the adjective 괴롭다.
- It is used to express deep personal struggle.
- It is a native Korean word with high emotional impact.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a heavy weight on your chest.
When Native Speakers Use It
When someone is confiding in you.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the value of empathy.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember -음 makes it a noun.
Example
그녀는 헤어진 후 큰 괴로움에 빠졌다.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
받아들이다
A2To accept, to embrace, to take in.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action; advice.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.
