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Vocabulary
아쉬워하다

A2 verb 8 min read

아쉬워하다

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 아쉬워하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 아쉬워하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 아쉬워하다 as a way to say someone is 'sad' because something is finished. It is like saying 'I don't want it to end.' While you usually learn '슬프다' (sad) first, 아쉬워하다 is used for specific times like when a class ends or a friend goes home. At this level, focus on the past tense '아쉬워했어요' (was sad/regretful). For example, 'My friend was sad to go home' (친구는 집에 가는 것을 아쉬워했어요). Just remember it's a feeling of 'I want more time.' It's a very common word in daily life when saying goodbye.

At the A2 level, you should understand the difference between the adjective 아쉽다 and the verb 아쉬워하다. You use 아쉬워하다 to describe how *other people* feel. If you see your sister crying because her vacation is over, you say '동생이 방학이 끝나는 걸 아쉬워해요.' You also start to use it with the object particle -을/를. This word is essential for social interactions in Korea. When you leave a party, people might use the adjective form to you, and you can use the verb form to describe how the group felt. It shows you understand the 'reluctance to part' which is a big part of Korean culture.

By B1, you can use 아쉬워하다 in more complex sentences using connectors like -면서 (while) or -아서/어서 (because). You can describe nuances like 'feeling regretful about a result.' For instance, 'The soccer player felt regretful after missing the goal' (선수가 골을 놓쳐서 아쉬워했어요). You also begin to see it in writing, like in journals or stories. It's important to distinguish it from 후회하다 (to regret a choice). 아쉬워하다 is about the situation, while 후회하다 is about your own action. Learning this distinction helps your Korean sound more natural and precise.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 아쉬워하다 to describe subtle social dynamics. It often appears in discussions about cultural concepts like 'Jeong' (attachment). You can use it to describe public sentiment, such as 'The public is regretful about the singer's retirement.' You should also be able to use the noun form 아쉬움 in combination with verbs like 남다 (to remain) or 표하다 (to express). Understanding that 아쉬워하다 can sometimes be a polite social convention rather than a deep emotional truth is key to mastering mid-to-high level Korean social cues.

At the C1 level, you analyze 아쉬워하다 within literary and professional contexts. It is used to describe the 'pathos' of a situation. You might encounter it in news editorials discussing missed political opportunities or in literature describing the ephemeral nature of life. You should understand how it interacts with other psychological verbs like 안타까워하다 or 염원하다. At this level, you can use it to explain complex emotions in a debate or a high-level essay, focusing on the lack of fulfillment or the 'bittersweet' nature of certain endings. It becomes a tool for nuanced character analysis in literature.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the philosophical implications of 아쉬워하다. You understand its roots in the Korean psyche—the idea that beauty is often found in the things that end too soon. You can use it in academic writing about sociology or psychology to describe collective regret or the 'Asuim' of a generation. You can also play with the word in creative writing to evoke specific moods. You understand that the word isn't just about 'missing' something, but about the human condition of always desiring a bit more than what reality provides. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including its use in metaphors and complex idiomatic expressions.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

아쉬워하다 in 30 Seconds

A verb meaning to feel regret or sadness about a missed chance or an ending.
Commonly used when saying goodbye or when a positive experience concludes.
The verbal form of '아쉽다', used to describe others' feelings or visible emotions.
Often implies a 'near-miss' or a desire for something to have lasted longer.

The Korean verb 아쉬워하다 is a multifaceted emotional descriptor that captures a uniquely poignant human experience: the lingering sense of regret, missed opportunity, or the sadness felt when something meaningful comes to an end. In English, we might translate it as 'to feel the lack of,' 'to regret,' or 'to be reluctant to part with,' but these individual terms often fail to capture the full spectrum of 'Asuim' (아쉬움). It is the feeling you get when a wonderful party ends, when you lose a game by just one point, or when you have to say goodbye to a dear friend at the airport. It is not a crushing, deep despair (like 슬퍼하다), but rather a nagging, wistful feeling that things could have been better or lasted longer.

Emotional Nuance: Unlike 'regret' in English, which often implies guilt for a past mistake, 아쉬워하다 is more about the external circumstances or the passage of time that leaves one wanting more. It is the emotional response to a deficit of satisfaction.

팬들은 경기가 비기자 매우 아쉬워했다. (The fans felt very regretful when the game ended in a draw.)

Grammatically, 아쉬워하다 is the verbalized form of the adjective 아쉽다. In Korean, adjectives often describe the speaker's internal state directly, while adding -어/아 하다 transforms them into verbs that describe an observable emotional reaction or the feelings of a third person. Therefore, while you might say "I feel 아쉽다," you would use 아쉬워하다 to describe how your brother feels or to emphasize the outward expression of that feeling in yourself.

Common Usage Contexts: 1. Ending a social gathering. 2. Losing a competition by a narrow margin. 3. Missing a bus or train by seconds. 4. Seeing a beloved TV show reach its final episode.

그는 기회를 놓친 것을 계속 아쉬워하며 한숨을 쉬었다. (He kept sighing, feeling regretful about missing the opportunity.)

In a broader cultural sense, 아쉬워하다 reflects the value Koreans place on 'Jeong' (affectionate attachment). When you feel 'Asuim,' it shows that you valued the time or the person involved. If you didn't care, you wouldn't feel 아쉬워하다. Thus, expressing this feeling is often a way of showing respect or affection to others, signaling that their presence or the event was meaningful to you.

우리는 헤어짐을 아쉬워하며 다음을 기약했다. (Feeling reluctant to say goodbye, we promised to meet again.)

Using 아쉬워하다 correctly requires an understanding of Korean transitivity and the distinction between internal states and external actions. As a verb, it typically takes an object marked by the particles -을/를. This object represents the cause of the regret or the thing that is being missed.

Sentence Structure: [Subject] + [Object]-을/를 + 아쉬워하다. For example: '민수는 여행이 끝나는 것을 아쉬워해요' (Minsu is sad that the trip is ending).

One of the most important grammatical rules in Korean involves the expression of emotions. Generally, adjectives like 아쉽다 (to be regrettable) are used primarily for the first person ('I') in the present tense. If you want to describe someone else's feelings, you must use the -어/아 하다 form, turning it into 아쉬워하다. This signals that you are observing their behavior or reporting on their state from an outside perspective.

아이들은 방학이 끝나는 것을 몹시 아쉬워합니다. (The children are very sad/regretful that the vacation is ending.)

In terms of tense, 아쉬워하다 is often used in the past tense (아쉬워했다) to describe a reaction to a past event, or in the present progressive (아쉬워하고 있다) to describe an ongoing state of regret. It can also be used as a modifier: 아쉬워하는 표정 (a regretful expression) or 아쉬워하는 목소리 (a regretful voice).

Common Verb Patterns: - 기회를 놓친 것을 아쉬워하다 (To regret missing an opportunity)
- 헤어짐을 아쉬워하다 (To be reluctant to part ways)
- 결과가 좋지 않아 아쉬워하다 (To feel bad because the result wasn't good)

그는 자신의 실수를 두고두고 아쉬워했다. (He regretted his mistake for a long, long time.)

In South Korea, 아쉬워하다 is a staple of everyday conversation, media commentary, and literary expression. You will hear it most frequently in situations where an experience is concluding or where a goal was almost reached but ultimately missed. It is a word that bridges the gap between simple disappointment and deep sorrow.

In Sports Broadcasting: Commentators constantly use this word when a player misses a goal by a few inches. They will say, '선수가 골대를 맞힌 것을 정말 아쉬워하고 있네요!' (The player is really feeling the regret of hitting the goalpost!). It emphasizes the 'near-miss' aspect.

In the world of K-Dramas and variety shows, 아쉬워하다 is used to heighten the emotional stakes of a parting scene. When a character leaves for study abroad or a couple breaks up amicably, the focus is often on how they 아쉬워하며 (feeling regretful/reluctant) look back at each other. On variety shows like 'Running Man' or '2 Days & 1 Night,' members will 아쉬워하다 when a guest leaves or when they lose a game that would have won them a delicious meal.

졸업식에서 친구들은 서로 헤어지는 것을 아쉬워하며 사진을 찍었다. (At the graduation ceremony, friends took photos, feeling sad about parting with each other.)

You will also encounter this in professional settings. If a contract falls through or a project ends, colleagues might express that they 아쉬워한다 regarding the missed collaboration. It serves as a polite way to show that you valued the partnership. In news reports, it describes the public's reaction to the retirement of a beloved public figure or the closing of a historical landmark.

Everyday Socializing: When leaving a dinner party, a host might say, '벌써 가시나요? 너무 아쉬워요!' (Are you leaving already? I'm so sad [to see you go]!). Here, the adjective form is used, but if someone else tells the story later, they would say '주인분이 우리가 일찍 가는 걸 아주 아쉬워하셨어' (The host felt very regretful that we left early).

While 아쉬워하다 is common, learners often struggle with its specific grammatical constraints and its nuanced difference from other 'sadness' or 'regret' words. The most frequent error is the confusion between the adjective 아쉽다 and the verb 아쉬워하다.

Mistake 1: Adjective vs. Verb: Learners often say '그는 아쉬워요' (He is regrettable/sad) to mean 'He feels regret.' However, in Korean, to describe a third person's emotion, you must use the verb form: '그는 아쉬워해요.' Using the adjective for others sounds unnatural or implies that the person *themselves* is a pity, rather than they are *feeling* pity.

Another common mistake is using 아쉬워하다 when 후회하다 (to regret/repent) is more appropriate. 후회하다 is specifically for when you feel responsible for a bad choice you made. 아쉬워하다 is for when you feel sad that a situation isn't perfect or is ending. If you ate too much and feel sick, you 후회하다 (regret) eating. If you ate a delicious meal but it's now finished, you 아쉬워하다 (feel sad it's over).

Incorrect: 저는 어제 공부 안 한 것을 아쉬워해요.
Correct: 저는 어제 공부 안 한 것을 후회해요. (I regret not studying yesterday.)

Furthermore, do not confuse it with 서운하다 or 서운해하다. While similar, 서운하다 implies a feeling of being slightly hurt or slighted by someone else's behavior (e.g., a friend forgot your birthday). 아쉬워하다 is more about the situation or the lack of something, not necessarily a personal slight.

Mistake 2: Overusing it for 'Sad': If someone's pet dies, you should not use 아쉬워하다. That is a deep sorrow (슬프다/슬퍼하다). 아쉬워하다 is for lighter, circumstantial regrets or partings.

To truly master Korean, you must understand where 아쉬워하다 fits within the family of words describing disappointment and regret. Each word has a specific emotional 'flavor' and social context.

아쉬워하다 vs. 안타까워하다: 아쉬워하다 is about wanting more of something or feeling sad it's gone. 안타까워하다 is more about feeling pity or frustration because a situation is pathetic, tragic, or beyond one's control (e.g., seeing someone struggle but being unable to help).

Another close relative is 서운해하다. As mentioned before, this is specifically used when you feel let down by someone else's lack of consideration. If your friend leaves your party early, you might 아쉬워하다 (because the fun is ending), but if they leave without saying goodbye, you would 서운해하다 (because their behavior was rude/hurtful).

Comparison:
1. 경기에 져서 아쉬워하다 (Regretting the loss - it was close).
2. 다친 선수를 안타까워하다 (Feeling pity for the injured player).

For more formal or intense regret, Koreans use 유감스럽게 생각하다 (to feel regretful/sorry). This is often used in business or diplomatic contexts to express that something is regrettable without taking personal blame. In contrast, 아쉬워하다 is much more personal and emotional.

Quick Comparison Table

후회하다: Regret due to one's own wrong choice.
섭섭해하다: Similar to 서운해하다; feeling a bit empty or sad due to someone's actions.
미련이 남다: To have lingering attachments (often used after a breakup).

When you want to express that you are 'reluctant' to do something unpleasant, you might use 꺼려하다 or 주저하다 (to hesitate). However, 아쉬워하다 remains the best choice for the emotional reluctance felt during a goodbye or when a positive experience ends.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root of this word is thought by some linguists to be related to '없다' (to not exist/lack), emphasizing the 'lack' of something that causes the feeling of regret.

Pronunciation Guide

UK a-swi-wo-ha-da

US a-swi-wo-ha-da

In Korean, stress is generally even across syllables, but a slight emphasis may be placed on the first syllable '아'.

Rhymes With

미워하다 (mi-wo-ha-da - to hate) 고마워하다 (go-ma-wo-ha-da - to be thankful) 무서워하다 (mu-seo-wo-ha-da - to be afraid) 부러워하다 (bu-reo-wo-ha-da - to envy) 즐거워하다 (jeul-geo-wo-ha-da - to be joyful) 괴로워하다 (goe-ro-wo-ha-da - to be in pain) 놀라워하다 (nol-la-wo-ha-da - to be surprised) 부끄러워하다 (bu-kkeu-reo-wo-ha-da - to be shy)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '쉬' (swi) as '시' (si).
Over-emphasizing the 'h' in 'ha'.
Merging '워' and '하' into a single sound.
Pronouncing '아' like 'ay' instead of 'ah'.
Making the 'd' in 'da' too explosive.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text once you know the root '아쉽다'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the -어/아 하다 conjugation and object particles.

Speaking 3/5

Natural usage requires understanding the third-person rule.

Listening 2/5

Frequently heard in dramas and sports, making it easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

아쉽다 슬프다 하다 헤어지다 끝나다

Learn Next

서운하다 안타깝다 후회하다 미련 섭섭하다

Advanced

유감 애석하다 한탄하다 통탄하다 방실거리다

Grammar to Know

-어/아 하다 (Turning adjectives into verbs)

슬프다 -> 슬퍼하다, 아쉽다 -> 아쉬워하다

-는 것을 (Making a verb phrase an object)

가는 것을 아쉬워하다

Third-person emotion reporting

He feels sad: 그는 슬퍼해요 (not 그는 슬퍼요)

-아서/어서 (Reasoning)

끝나서 아쉬워해요

-며/면서 (Simultaneous action)

아쉬워하며 웃었다

Examples by Level

친구는 집에 가는 것을 아쉬워해요.

My friend is sad to go home.

Present tense with third person subject.

우리는 파티가 끝난 것을 아쉬워했어요.

We were sad that the party ended.

Past tense '아쉬워했어요'.

아기가 엄마와 헤어지는 걸 아쉬워해요.

The baby is sad to part with mom.

Object '헤어지는 것' (parting).

선생님은 수업이 끝나서 아쉬워하셨어요.

The teacher was sad that the class ended (honorific).

Honorific form '-하시다'.

그는 사탕을 다 먹은 것을 아쉬워해요.

He is sad that he finished all the candy.

Simple object-verb structure.

언니는 어제 여행이 끝난 걸 아쉬워했어요.

My older sister was sad the trip ended yesterday.

Past tense '했다'.

사람들은 영화가 끝나서 아쉬워해요.

People are sad that the movie is over.

Plural subject '사람들'.

그는 친구가 일찍 가서 아쉬워했어요.

He was sad because his friend left early.

Reasoning with '-아서'.

민수는 마지막 게임을 진 것을 몹시 아쉬워했다.

Minsu really regretted losing the last game.

Adverb '몹시' (very/greatly).

동생이 선물을 못 받아서 아쉬워하고 있어요.

My younger sibling is feeling sad because they didn't get a gift.

Present progressive '-하고 있다'.

팬들은 가수가 은퇴하는 것을 아쉬워합니다.

Fans are sad about the singer retiring.

Formal ending '-합니다'.

그녀는 맛있는 케이크가 조금 남은 것을 아쉬워했다.

She was sad that only a little bit of the delicious cake was left.

Describing a specific situation.

우리는 휴가가 너무 빨리 지나간 것을 아쉬워해요.

We are sad that the vacation passed too quickly.

Using '지나간 것' as an object.

그는 기회를 놓친 것을 두고두고 아쉬워할 것이다.

He will regret missing the opportunity for a long time.

Future tense '-을 것이다'.

할머니는 손주들이 집으로 돌아가는 걸 아쉬워하셨다.

Grandmother was sad that her grandchildren were going home.

Honorific past tense.

학생들이 방학이 끝나는 것을 아쉬워하며 학교에 왔다.

Students came to school feeling sad that vacation was over.

Using '-하며' to show simultaneous action.

그는 자신의 실력 발휘를 제대로 못한 것을 매우 아쉬워하고 있다.

He is very much regretting that he couldn't show his true skills.

Complex object clause.

모두가 그 좋은 기회를 놓친 것을 아쉬워하며 회의를 마쳤다.

Everyone finished the meeting, feeling regretful about missing that good opportunity.

Linking two clauses with '-하며'.

작가는 자신의 책이 더 많이 팔리지 않은 것을 아쉬워했다.

The author was sad that their book didn't sell more.

Negative clause as object.

그는 친구의 결혼식에 참석하지 못한 것을 내내 아쉬워했다.

He regretted not being able to attend his friend's wedding the whole time.

Adverb '내내' (all along).

우리는 그 축제가 하루만 더 길었으면 하고 아쉬워했다.

We felt regretful, wishing the festival had been just one day longer.

Expressing a wish with '-었으면 하고'.

감독은 주전 선수의 부상을 몹시 아쉬워하며 전술을 바꿨다.

The coach, deeply regretting the starting player's injury, changed the tactics.

Participial usage.

그녀는 젊은 시절을 더 보람 있게 보내지 못한 것을 아쉬워한다.

She regrets not spending her youth more meaningfully.

General state of regret.

관객들은 공연이 너무 짧다며 아쉬워하는 기색이 역력했다.

It was clear the audience was regretful, saying the performance was too short.

Using '-다며' (quoting) and '기색' (look/sign).

정부는 이번 협상이 결렬된 것을 아쉬워하며 유감을 표명했다.

The government expressed regret, feeling sad that the negotiations broke down.

Formal/Political context.

그는 옛 연인과의 이별을 아쉬워하면서도 어쩔 수 없음을 인정했다.

While feeling regretful about the breakup with his ex, he accepted that it was unavoidable.

Contrastive connector '-하면서도'.

시청자들은 드라마의 결말이 허무하게 끝난 것을 아쉬워하고 있다.

Viewers are feeling regretful that the drama's ending was so empty/unsatisfying.

Describing public reaction.

그는 유학 생활을 마치고 귀국하면서 정든 친구들과의 헤어짐을 아쉬워했다.

As he finished his studies abroad and returned home, he was sad to part with his dear friends.

Complex sentence with multiple clauses.

많은 이들이 그 역사적인 건물이 헐리는 것을 아쉬워하며 반대 운동을 벌였다.

Many people, regretful that the historic building was being demolished, staged a protest.

Social/Civic context.

그녀는 자신의 재능을 다 꽃피우지 못한 것을 아쉬워하며 무대를 떠났다.

She left the stage, feeling regretful that she couldn't fully blossom her talent.

Metaphorical expression '꽃피우다'.

우리는 서로의 입장이 달라 협력이 무산된 것을 아쉬워하며 헤어졌다.

We parted, feeling regretful that the cooperation fell through due to our different positions.

Causal reasoning.

그는 아쉬워하는 표정을 감추지 못한 채 조용히 자리를 떴다.

Unable to hide his regretful expression, he quietly left his seat.

Noun modifier '아쉬워하는'.

비평가들은 그 거장의 유작이 미완성으로 남은 것을 몹시 아쉬워했다.

Critics deeply regretted that the master's final work remained unfinished.

Academic/Artistic context.

그는 시대의 흐름을 읽지 못해 사업이 도산한 것을 뼈저리게 아쉬워했다.

He deeply (to the bone) regretted that his business went bankrupt because he couldn't read the trends of the times.

Strong adverb '뼈저리게'.

인류학자들은 사라져 가는 소수 민족의 언어를 아쉬워하며 기록에 힘쓰고 있다.

Anthropologists, regretful of the disappearing minority languages, are striving to record them.

Professional/Scientific context.

그는 자신의 정치적 포부를 다 펼치지 못한 채 정계를 은퇴하는 것을 아쉬워했다.

He regretted retiring from politics without being able to fully realize his political ambitions.

Formal rhetoric.

많은 학자들은 고대 문헌이 소실된 것을 아쉬워하며 파편적인 기록이라도 찾으려 애쓴다.

Many scholars, regretful that ancient texts were lost, struggle to find even fragmentary records.

Intellectual context.

그녀는 부모님께 효도를 다 하지 못한 것을 아쉬워하며 매일 묘소를 찾는다.

Regretting that she couldn't fulfill her filial duties to her parents, she visits their grave every day.

Cultural concept '효도' (filial piety).

국민들은 그 위대한 지도자의 서거를 아쉬워하며 전국적인 추모 행렬을 이어갔다.

The citizens, regretful of the great leader's passing, continued a nationwide mourning procession.

National/Historical context.

우리는 기술적 한계로 인해 더 완벽한 제품을 만들지 못한 점을 아쉬워하고 있습니다.

We are feeling regretful that we couldn't create a more perfect product due to technical limitations.

Corporate communication.

철학자는 인간의 유한함과 그로 인해 파생되는 온갖 아쉬워함을 담담히 서술했다.

The philosopher calmly described human finitude and all the regrets derived from it.

Nominalized form '아쉬워함' as a concept.

그의 문체에는 지나간 세월에 대한 아쉬워하는 정서가 짙게 배어 있다.

His writing style is deeply imbued with a sense of regret for the passing years.

Literary analysis.

우리는 근대화 과정에서 전통 미학이 퇴색된 것을 아쉬워하며 온고지신의 정신을 되새겨야 한다.

Regretting the fading of traditional aesthetics during modernization, we must reflect on the spirit of learning from the old to know the new.

Cultural/Philosophical discourse.

그는 자신의 삶이 타인의 기대에 부응하느라 정작 자아를 잃어버린 것을 아쉬워하며 만년을 보냈다.

He spent his later years regretful that he had lost his true self while trying to meet others' expectations.

Existential context.

역사가들은 그 결정적인 순간에 외교적 해법을 찾지 못한 것을 아쉬워하며 역사의 가정을 해보곤 한다.

Historians, regretful that a diplomatic solution wasn't found at that decisive moment, often engage in historical 'what-ifs'.

Historical 'what-if' context.

그 시인은 낙화의 순간을 아쉬워하기보다는 새로운 생명의 잉태로 해석하는 비범함을 보였다.

The poet showed extraordinary insight by interpreting the moment of falling flowers as the conception of new life rather than just feeling regretful about it.

Subtle contrast '아쉬워하기보다는'.

우리는 인연의 끈이 이토록 허망하게 끊어지는 것을 아쉬워하며 마지막 술잔을 기울였다.

Feeling regretful that the bond of our relationship was being severed so vainly, we tilted our final glasses.

Poetic/Metaphorical language.

그는 자신의 학문적 성취가 후대에 제대로 전달되지 않을까 봐 아쉬워하며 집필에 몰두했다.

Regretful (fearful of the loss) that his academic achievements might not be properly transmitted to future generations, he immersed himself in writing.

Complex psychological motivation.

Common Collocations

헤어짐을 아쉬워하다

기회를 놓친 것을 아쉬워하다

끝나는 것을 아쉬워하다

패배를 아쉬워하다

은퇴를 아쉬워하다

작별을 아쉬워하다

결과를 아쉬워하다

부족함을 아쉬워하다

모두가 아쉬워하다

두고두고 아쉬워하다

Common Phrases

아쉬워할 것 없다

— There is nothing to be regretful about. Don't feel bad.

최선을 다했으니 아쉬워할 것 없다.

못내 아쉬워하다

— To be unable to stop feeling regretful. To feel very reluctant.

그는 못내 아쉬워하며 발길을 돌렸다.

무척 아쉬워하다

— To feel very regretful/sad.

그는 친구가 떠나는 것을 무척 아쉬워했다.

내심 아쉬워하다

— To feel regretful inwardly (secretly).

그는 겉으로는 웃었지만 내심 아쉬워했다.

진심으로 아쉬워하다

— To feel regretful from the bottom of one's heart.

모두가 그의 떠남을 진심으로 아쉬워했다.

다들 아쉬워해요

— Everyone is feeling regretful/sad about it.

네가 안 온다니 다들 아쉬워해.

조금 아쉬워하다

— To feel a little bit of regret.

결과가 나쁘지는 않았지만 그는 조금 아쉬워했다.

몹시 아쉬워하다

— To feel extremely regretful.

그는 우승컵을 놓친 것을 몹시 아쉬워했다.

아쉬워하는 표정

— A regretful/wistful expression.

그는 아쉬워하는 표정으로 나를 보았다.

아쉬워하는 목소리

— A regretful/wistful voice.

그녀는 아쉬워하는 목소리로 전화를 끊었다.

Often Confused With

아쉬워하다 vs 아쉽다

Adjective form. Used for first-person present or general states. 아쉬워하다 is the active verb for others or visible actions.

아쉬워하다 vs 후회하다

Specifically for regretting a past choice/action that you feel responsible for. 아쉬워하다 is for the situation or lack of something.

아쉬워하다 vs 서운하다

Feeling hurt because someone else's behavior was inconsiderate. 아쉬워하다 is about the event or ending.

Idioms & Expressions

"입맛을 다시며 아쉬워하다"

— To smack one's lips in regret (often after missing out on food or a good opportunity).

그는 맛있는 고기를 놓치고 입맛을 다시며 아쉬워했다.

Informal

"발길이 떨어지지 않아 아쉬워하다"

— To be so reluctant to leave that one's feet won't move.

그는 고향을 떠나며 발길이 떨어지지 않아 아쉬워했다.

Literary

"눈을 떼지 못하고 아쉬워하다"

— To be unable to take one's eyes off something due to regret or longing.

그녀는 사고 싶은 옷을 보며 눈을 떼지 못하고 아쉬워했다.

Neutral

"손을 흔들며 아쉬워하다"

— To wave goodbye while showing visible sadness/reluctance.

아이들은 버스가 떠날 때까지 손을 흔들며 아쉬워했다.

Neutral

"침을 삼키며 아쉬워하다"

— To swallow hard in regret (desiring something one cannot have).

그는 친구의 새 차를 보며 침을 삼키며 아쉬워했다.

Informal

"가슴을 치며 아쉬워하다"

— To beat one's chest in regret (usually for a very big missed opportunity).

그는 사업 기회를 놓친 것을 가슴을 치며 아쉬워했다.

Emphatic

"고개를 떨구며 아쉬워하다"

— To hang one's head in regret.

그는 패배가 확정되자 고개를 떨구며 아쉬워했다.

Neutral

"눈물을 글썽이며 아쉬워하다"

— To be teary-eyed with regret/reluctance.

졸업생들은 서로의 손을 잡고 눈물을 글썽이며 아쉬워했다.

Neutral

"말을 잇지 못하고 아쉬워하다"

— To be unable to continue speaking due to being overcome with regret.

그는 은퇴 소감을 말하다가 말을 잇지 못하고 아쉬워했다.

Formal

"한숨을 쉬며 아쉬워하다"

— To sigh in regret.

그는 복권 번호가 하나 틀린 것을 보고 한숨을 쉬며 아쉬워했다.

Neutral

Easily Confused

아쉬워하다 vs 슬퍼하다

Both mean 'to be sad'.

슬퍼하다 is for deep sorrow (death, tragedy). 아쉬워하다 is for lighter regret or reluctance (endings, near-misses).

강아지가 죽어서 슬퍼해요 vs. 방학이 끝나서 아쉬워해요.

아쉬워하다 vs 안타까워하다

Both involve feeling bad about a situation.

안타까워하다 involves pity for someone else's struggle. 아쉬워하다 involves wanting more of something for oneself or others.

다친 친구를 안타까워해요 vs. 게임에 져서 아쉬워해요.

아쉬워하다 vs 섭섭해하다

Both relate to feeling 'empty' after a social interaction.

섭섭해하다 is closer to 'feeling slighted'. 아쉬워하다 is closer to 'wishing it lasted longer'.

친구가 안 와서 섭섭해해요 vs. 친구가 빨리 가서 아쉬워해요.

아쉬워하다 vs 미안해하다

Sometimes people confuse 'regret' with 'apology'.

미안해하다 is 'to feel sorry/guilty'. 아쉬워하다 is 'to feel regretful/reluctant'.

늦어서 미안해해요 vs. 일찍 가야 해서 아쉬워해요.

아쉬워하다 vs 지루해하다

Both describe a reaction to an event ending/continuing.

지루해하다 is 'to be bored'. 아쉬워하다 is the opposite—wishing it would continue.

수업이 길어서 지루해해요 vs. 수업이 끝나서 아쉬워해요.

Sentence Patterns

[Person]은/는 [Event]을/를 아쉬워해요.

지수는 파티를 아쉬워해요.

[Person]은/는 [Verb]-는 것을 아쉬워해요.

그는 집에 가는 것을 아쉬워해요.

[Person]은/는 [Reason]-아서 아쉬워하고 있어요.

그는 기회를 놓쳐서 아쉬워하고 있어요.

[Person]은/는 아쉬워하며 [Action].

그는 아쉬워하며 손을 흔들었다.

[Noun]의 [Noun]을/를 아쉬워하는 목소리가 높다.

그 가수의 은퇴를 아쉬워하는 목소리가 높다.

[Subject]은/는 [Object]을/를 못내 아쉬워하는 기색이 역력하다.

그는 떠남을 못내 아쉬워하는 기색이 역력했다.

[Person]은/는 [Noun]이/가 없음을 아쉬워하다.

그는 돈이 없음을 아쉬워했다.

[Person]은/는 [Noun]을/를 두고두고 아쉬워할 것이다.

그는 그 실수를 두고두고 아쉬워할 것이다.

Word Family

Nouns

아쉬움 Regret, wistfulness, a sense of lack.

Verbs

아쉬워하다 To feel/express regret or reluctance.

Adjectives

아쉽다 To be regrettable, to be a pity, to be lacking.

서운하다

안타깝다

후회

섭섭하다

미련

How to Use It

frequency

Very High in daily speech and media.

Common Mistakes

그는 아쉬워요. → 그는 아쉬워해요.
You must use the verb form (-어/아 하다) for third-person subjects.
실수를 아쉬워하다. → 실수를 후회하다.
Use '후회하다' for personal mistakes you feel guilty about.
친구가 안 와서 아쉬워해요. → 친구가 안 와서 서운해해요.
If you feel let down by a person, '서운해하다' is more accurate.
영화가 아쉬워해요. → 영화가 아쉬워요.
A movie cannot 'feel' regret. The situation is '아쉽다'.
아쉬워하는 죽음. → 애석한 죽음.
For death, '아쉬워하다' is too light. Use '애석하다' or '슬퍼하다'.

Tips

The Third Person Rule

In Korean, you can't usually use simple emotion adjectives for other people. You must use the verb form. So, 'He is sad' is '그는 아쉬워해요', never '그는 아쉬워요'.

Showing Sincerity

When someone leaves, saying you '아쉬워하다' makes you sound warm and affectionate. It's a key part of Korean 'Jeong' culture.

Object Marking

Remember that 아쉬워하다 is a transitive verb. It needs an object. What are they regretful about? Mark that thing with -을/를.

Not 'Regret' like Guilt

Don't use this for moral regret. Use it for 'wishing things were different' or 'wishing things didn't end'.

Listen for 'Asuim'

The noun 'Asuim' is everywhere in K-pop. Knowing the verb '아쉬워하다' will help you understand the root of many emotional songs.

Combine with Sighs

To sound like a native, use this word when talking about a close sports game that your team lost.

Describe the Look

Instead of saying 'He was sad,' write '그는 아쉬워하는 표정으로...'. It's much more descriptive.

Learn the Adverb

'아쉬운 대로' is a common phrase meaning 'since we don't have the best option, let's use this.' It's very useful!

The Beauty of Ending

Koreans find a certain beauty in 'Asuim'. It shows that the experience was valuable enough to be missed.

Avoid 'Sorry'

If you want to say 'I'm sorry,' use '미안해요'. '아쉬워요' means 'I'm sad [about the situation],' not 'I apologize'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ah, she...'. Imagine a girl named 'Ah-she' who is always 'wo' (woe) because she has to 'ha' (have) to go home. 'Ah-she-wo-ha-da'.

Visual Association

Imagine a child standing at a closed gate of an amusement park, looking through the bars with a wistful face. That is '아쉬워하다'.

Word Web

Endings Goodbyes Missed Goals Parties Vacations Regret Reluctance Insufficient

Challenge

Try to use '아쉬워하다' to describe a character in a movie who just lost a race or had to move to another city.

Word Origin

The word originates from the adjective '아쉽다'. The root '아싑-' existed in Middle Korean (15th century). The suffix '-어/아 하다' is a productive verbalizer in Korean used to turn descriptive adjectives into active psychological verbs.

Original meaning: The original meaning centered on 'insufficiency' or 'lacking something needed.'

Koreanic

Cultural Context

It is a safe, polite word to use in almost all social settings, from casual to formal.

English speakers might just say 'I'm sad it's over,' but Koreans have this specific word that implies the 'lack of satisfaction' caused by the end.

The song '아쉬움' by Shin Jung-hyeon is a classic exploration of this feeling. In the drama 'Reply 1988,' characters frequently '아쉬워하다' as their youth in the neighborhood comes to an end. Sports headlines after the 2002 World Cup often used this word to describe the national mood after the semi-final loss.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Saying goodbye to friends.

헤어지기 아쉬워요.
다들 아쉬워하네.
너무 아쉬워하지 마.
아쉬워하며 인사했어요.

Losing a close game.

한 점 차이라서 더 아쉬워해요.
결과를 아쉬워하고 있어요.
아쉬워하는 기색이 역력해요.
패배를 아쉬워하다.

End of a vacation/event.

방학이 끝나는 걸 아쉬워해요.
축제가 끝나서 다들 아쉬워해.
마지막 날이라 아쉬워요.
시간이 빨리 간 걸 아쉬워하다.

Missing an opportunity.

기회를 놓쳐서 아쉬워해요.
그때 살 걸 그랬다며 아쉬워해요.
아쉬워해도 소용없어.
실수를 아쉬워하다.

Retirement or closing of a shop.

단골들이 가게 문 닫는 걸 아쉬워해요.
은퇴 소식을 아쉬워하다.
모두가 아쉬워하는 가운데...
작별을 아쉬워하다.

Conversation Starters

"친구가 이사 간다는데 많이 아쉬워하고 있죠?"

"어제 축구 경기 결과 보셨어요? 다들 너무 아쉬워하더라고요."

"벌써 마지막 수업인데 아쉬워하는 학생들 없나요?"

"그 영화 결말이 너무 갑작스러워서 사람들이 아쉬워한대요."

"여행 마지막 날인데 다들 어떤 점을 가장 아쉬워해요?"

Journal Prompts

최근에 무언가 끝나서 아쉬워했던 경험이 있나요? 자세히 써 보세요.

친구가 당신과 헤어질 때 아쉬워하는 모습을 본 적이 있나요? 그때 기분이 어땠나요?

살면서 가장 아쉬워했던 순간은 언제였나요?

누군가의 은퇴나 작별을 진심으로 아쉬워해 본 적이 있나요?

아쉬워하는 마음을 달래기 위해 당신은 보통 무엇을 하나요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it sounds like you are describing your own behavior or emphasizing the 'action' of feeling. Usually, for your own immediate feeling, '아쉬워요' (adjective) is more common. '아쉬워해요' is mostly for third persons.

아쉽다 is a descriptive adjective (I am sad/it is a pity). 아쉬워하다 is a verb (to feel/show that sadness). Use the verb form when the subject is someone else (He, She, They).

Generally, no. For death, use '슬퍼하다' (to be sad) or '애도하다' (to mourn). 아쉬워하다 is for things that are 'a pity' or 'regrettable' but not usually tragic.

In that case, '후회해요' is better. If you say '아쉬워해요,' it sounds like you are just sad about the result, not necessarily taking responsibility for the mistake.

Yes, it is very polite! It shows you enjoyed their company and don't want to leave.

Use the object particle '-을' or '-를'. For example: '여행을 아쉬워해요'.

Yes! '버스를 놓친 것을 아쉬워해요' is a perfect use case.

Yes, '아쉬움'. You can say '아쉬움이 남다' (regret remains).

It is neutral. You can use it in both casual and formal settings by changing the ending (아쉬워해 vs. 아쉬워합니다).

No, it is a soft, wistful emotion. There is no anger involved in '아쉬워하다'.