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Vocabulary
죄송해하다

A2 verb 10 min read

죄송해하다

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 죄송해하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 죄송해하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to express feelings. You likely know '미안해요' (I'm sorry). '죄송해하다' is a bit more advanced because it is used for *other people*. Imagine you see a friend looking sad because they broke something. You are talking to a teacher about that friend. You wouldn't use '죄송해요' for the friend. You use '죄송해해요'. At this level, just remember: '죄송해요' is for me, and '죄송해해요' is for someone else when we are being very polite.

At the A2 level, you learn that Korean has special ways to describe others' emotions. Descriptive verbs (adjectives) like '죄송하다' (to be sorry) can only be used for yourself in the first person. To talk about a third person (he, she, they, or a specific person like 'Minho'), you add '-어/아 하다'. So, '죄송하다' becomes '죄송해하다'. This is a 'doing' verb now. You use it when you see someone acting sorry. For example, 'The student feels sorry' is '학생이 죄송해해요.'

At the B1 level, you should understand the difference between '미안해하다' and '죄송해하다'. '죄송해하다' is the honorific version. You use it when the person who is sorry is in a formal situation or talking to someone older. You will also start using it in the past tense ('죄송해했어요') and the progressive tense ('죄송해하고 있어요'). This level requires you to use the correct particles, usually '-가/이' for the person feeling sorry and '-에게' or '-께' for the person they are sorry to.

At the B2 level, you can use '죄송해하다' in complex sentences with connectors like '-아서/어서' (because) or '-는데' (but/and). You understand that this verb describes an *observable* state. You might hear it in news reports or read it in stories. You should also be comfortable using the honorific version '죄송해하시다' when the person feeling sorry is someone you respect, like a teacher or a boss. For example: '선생님께서 제안을 거절하신 것을 매우 죄송해하셨어요' (The teacher felt very sorry about rejecting the proposal).

At the C1 level, you recognize the subtle social nuances of '죄송해하다'. It's not just about a mistake; it's about acknowledging a breach in social harmony. You can use it to describe a character's internal conflict in literature or a public figure's stance in a political commentary. You understand that using this word instead of '사과하다' (to apologize) shifts the focus from the act of speaking to the sincerity of the emotion. You can also distinguish it from even more formal terms like '송구스러워하다'.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the 'subjectivity' rule in Korean grammar that necessitates '죄송해하다'. You understand the philosophical underpinnings—that we cannot claim to know another's heart directly. You use this verb flawlessly in high-level academic writing, legal contexts, or formal speeches. You can analyze how the use of '죄송해하다' in a text establishes the relationship between the characters and the narrator's objective distance. You also know how to use it with various auxiliary verbs to add even more nuance, like '죄송해하는 듯하다' (seems to feel sorry).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

죄송해하다 in 30 Seconds

Used to describe someone else feeling sorry or regretful in a formal context.
Combines the adjective '죄송하다' with the suffix '-어/아 하다' to make it a verb.
Essential for talking about another person's emotions respectfully in Korean grammar.
Common in professional settings, news reports, and formal literature.

The Korean verb 죄송해하다 is a fascinating linguistic construct that reveals much about the Korean psychological and social landscape. At its core, it translates to 'to feel sorry' or 'to express regret,' but it is specifically used when describing the emotions or observable behaviors of a third person. In the Korean language, there is a strict grammatical distinction between expressing one's own internal feelings and describing the perceived feelings of others. While you would use the adjective 죄송하다 to say 'I am sorry,' you must use the transitive verb form 죄송해하다 when you are observing someone else acting in a way that shows they are sorry or regretful. This distinction is rooted in the philosophical idea that one cannot truly 'know' another person's internal state, only their outward manifestations of that state.

Social Hierarchy and Respect: Because '죄송' (罪悚) is the high-honorific form of 'sorry' (compared to the more casual '미안'), this verb is almost exclusively used in formal contexts or when the person feeling sorry is in a position where they must show significant respect to the recipient of the apology. It is commonly used when a subordinate feels sorry toward a superior, or when a younger person feels regret toward an elder.
The Role of -어/아 하다: This grammatical suffix transforms a descriptive verb (adjective) into an action verb. By adding this, the speaker is essentially saying, 'That person is exhibiting the behavior of being sorry.' It moves the word from the realm of private emotion into the realm of public observation, which is a key requirement for describing third parties in polite Korean speech.

부장님께서는 실수에 대해 매우 죄송해하셨습니다.
— Translation: The department manager felt very sorry about the mistake.

In a professional setting, you might use this word to report to a client that your boss is regretful about a delay. Instead of just saying 'My boss is sorry,' using 죄송해하다 adds a layer of objective reporting that is considered polite and linguistically accurate in Korean culture. It suggests that the person’s regret is visible and sincere. Furthermore, the word carries a weight of 'sin' (죄) and 'fear/respect' (송), implying that the person feels a moral burden for their actions. This is much deeper than a simple apology; it is an acknowledgement of a breach in social harmony.

그는 자신의 무례함을 진심으로 죄송해하는 것처럼 보였다.
— Translation: He seemed to be truly feeling sorry for his rudeness.

When you see a news report about a public figure who has committed a social faux pas, the reporter might say they are '죄송해하고 있다' (currently feeling/expressing regret). This phrasing maintains the reporter's objectivity while still conveying the public figure's emotional state. It is a tool for social observation that respects the boundary between the observer and the observed's internal heart (마음).

Using 죄송해하다 correctly requires a firm grasp of Korean conjugation and the object marker. Unlike the adjective 죄송하다, which often takes a subject marker (이/가) for the reason why one is sorry, 죄송해하다 functions as an active verb. This means it can take a direct object, often the person toward whom the regret is directed, followed by the particle -를/을, or it can describe the state of feeling sorry regarding a situation.

Conjugation Patterns: The verb follows the standard '하다' conjugation. In the present tense, it becomes '죄송해해요' (polite) or '죄송해한다' (plain). In the past, it is '죄송해했어요.' For highly respected subjects, you must use the honorific infix '-시-', resulting in '죄송해하시다' (e.g., '죄송해하세요', '죄송해하셨어요').
The 'Reason' Clause: To express *why* someone is feeling sorry, you typically use the '-아서/어서' (because) structure. For example, '늦어서 죄송해해요' (He feels sorry because he is late). This connects the action causing the regret directly to the emotional response.

어머니는 손님들께 음식이 부족한 것을 매우 죄송해하셨다.
— Translation: Mother felt very sorry to the guests that the food was insufficient.

In the example above, notice the use of the honorific '하셨다'. This is crucial because the subject is 'Mother'. Even though she is the one feeling the emotion, the speaker uses the honorific form to show respect to her while describing her state of regret. This dual layer of respect—the word '죄송' itself and the '-시-' honorific—makes the sentence very formal and polite.

직원들이 프로젝트 지연을 진심으로 죄송해하고 있습니다.
— Translation: The employees are sincerely feeling sorry for the project delay.

Using the '-고 있다' (progressive) form with 죄송해하다 is very common. It emphasizes that the state of regret is ongoing and currently visible. This is often used in corporate communications or formal apologies to show that the party in question is actively reflecting on their mistakes. It sounds more sincere than a simple past tense 'apologized' because it focuses on the internal state of the people involved.

You will encounter 죄송해하다 in a variety of formal and semi-formal settings in Korea. It is not a word usually heard in casual banter between close friends (where '미안해하다' would be more appropriate), but rather in the professional, academic, and civic spheres of life. Understanding where to expect it will help you grasp the social weight it carries.

In the Workplace: If a team fails to meet a deadline, a manager might report to the director, '팀원들이 이번 실수를 아주 죄송해하고 있습니다' (The team members are feeling very sorry about this mistake). Here, it serves to protect the team's image by highlighting their professional remorse.
In News and Media: News anchors often use this word when reporting on scandals or public apologies. They might describe a politician's demeanor by saying, '그는 국민들께 고개를 숙이며 죄송해했습니다' (He bowed his head and expressed his regret to the citizens). It provides a descriptive, objective account of the person's performance of apology.

그 배우는 팬들과의 약속을 지키지 못한 점을 몹시 죄송해하며 눈물을 흘렸다.
— Translation: The actor shed tears, feeling extremely sorry for not being able to keep the promise to the fans.

In Korean dramas (K-Dramas), you will hear this word when a character is talking about a third person's feelings. For instance, a mother might tell her son, '네 아버지가 어제 너한테 화낸 걸 정말 죄송해하고 계셔' (Your father is really feeling sorry for getting angry at you yesterday). Because the mother is describing the father's internal state to the son, she must use the '-어/아 하다' form to be grammatically correct and respectful to the father's position.

선생님께서는 학생들이 시험을 잘 못 본 것을 본인의 탓으로 돌리며 죄송해하셨다.
— Translation: The teacher felt sorry, blaming himself for the students' poor exam results.

Finally, you might see this in literature or formal essays. Authors use 죄송해하다 to paint a picture of a character's humility and moral integrity. A character who '죄송해한다' is often portrayed as sympathetic, conscientious, and deeply aware of social obligations. It is a word that builds character by showing their reaction to their own perceived shortcomings.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 죄송해하다 is using it to describe their own feelings. In English, we say 'I feel sorry' or 'He feels sorry' using the same verb. However, in Korean, you cannot say '저는 죄송해해요' to mean 'I am sorry.' This is a classic 'interlanguage' error where the learner applies English logic to Korean grammar. For your own feelings, you must use the descriptive verb 죄송하다 (e.g., '죄송합니다').

Confusing it with '미안해하다': Learners often use '죄송해하다' when describing a friend or a younger person. This sounds overly stiff and unnatural. If you are talking about your younger brother feeling sorry, use '미안해하다'. Use '죄송해하다' only when the person feeling sorry is in a formal context or is showing deep respect to someone superior.
Particle Errors: Because '죄송하다' is an adjective, it doesn't take a direct object. However, '죄송해하다' is an active verb. Some learners forget this and use the wrong particles. While you say 'A가 B에게 죄송하다', when using the verb form, you can say 'A가 B를 죄송해하다' (though 'B에게' is still common, the grammatical capacity for '를' exists in certain contexts of emotional targeting).

Incorrect: 제 친구가 저에게 죄송해해요.
Correct: 제 친구가 저에게 미안해해요.

Another mistake is failing to use the honorific form when the person feeling sorry is someone highly respected, like a grandparent or a CEO. If you say '사장님이 죄송해해요', it sounds disrespectful to the CEO. You must say '사장님이 죄송해하세요' or '죄송해하십니다'. The '-어/아 하다' suffix does not exempt you from the rules of honorifics; rather, it combines with them to create a polite description of someone's state.

Incorrect: 저는 부장님께 죄송해하고 있어요.
Correct: 저는 부장님께 죄송한 마음을 가지고 있어요 (or simply '죄송합니다').

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse '죄송해하다' with '사과하다' (to apologize). '사과하다' describes the *action* of saying the words of apology. '죄송해하다' describes the *feeling* or the *state* of being sorry. You can '사과하다' without actually '죄송해하다' (an insincere apology), but in polite Korean society, the two are usually expected to go together.

To truly master 죄송해하다, you must understand its place within a cluster of related terms. Korean has a rich vocabulary for regret, apology, and social debt, and choosing the right one depends entirely on the relationship between the speaker, the subject, and the listener.

미안해하다 vs. 죄송해하다: This is the most common comparison. '미안해하다' is the standard way to say someone feels sorry in casual or neutral contexts. '죄송해하다' is the formal/honorific equivalent. If you use '죄송해하다' for a child, it sounds like the child is a high-ranking official. If you use '미안해하다' for a CEO, it sounds like you are being too casual about their feelings.
사과하다 (To Apologize): This is an action verb. It focuses on the act of giving an apology. '그는 사과했다' means 'He apologized.' In contrast, '그는 죄송해했다' focuses on his heart and his visible state of regret. You might say, '그는 죄송해하며 사과했다' (He apologized while feeling sorry).

송구스러워하다 (To feel very sorry/fearful)
— This is an even higher level of '죄송해하다'. It is often used in historical dramas or when addressing royalty or extremely high-ranking public figures. It implies a sense of being 'overwhelmed with regret.'

Another alternative is 유감스러워하다 (to feel regretful/sorry about a situation). While '죄송해하다' implies personal fault, '유감스러워하다' is often used for situations outside of one's direct control, similar to the English 'I regret to inform you.' If a company has to cancel an event due to bad weather, they might be '유감스러워한다' rather than '죄송해한다'.

그는 잘못을 뉘우치고 피해자에게 죄송해했다.
— Translation: He repented for his mistake and felt sorry toward the victim.

In summary, choose 죄송해하다 when you want to describe a third person's sincere, formal regret in a way that respects the social hierarchy. It is the gold standard for describing professional or respectful remorse in the Korean language.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, '죄송' was a very heavy word used when one had truly failed in a duty toward a superior. Today, it is the standard polite way to apologize, but its roots in 'fear of sin' explain why it is more formal than '미안' (which means 'not at peace').

Pronunciation Guide

UK /t͡ɕwe̞.so̞ŋ.ɦɛ.ɦa.da/

US /t͡ʃweɪ.sɔŋ.heɪ.hɑ.dɑ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable '죄' (jwe), with a secondary stress on '해' (hae).

Rhymes With

공부하다 (gongbuhada) 사랑하다 (saranghada) 미안해하다 (mianhaehada) 행복해하다 (haengbokhaehada) 슬퍼하다 (seulpeohada) 궁금해하다 (gunggeumhaehada) 당황해하다 (danghwanghaehada) 답답해하다 (dapdaphaehada)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '죄' as 'joe' (it should be 'jwe').
Over-emphasizing the 'h' in 'hae-ha-da' (it should be smooth).
Pronouncing 'song' like the English word 'song' with a long 'aw' sound (it should be a pure Korean 'o').
Forgetting to conjugate '하다' correctly in sentences.
Treating it as an adjective instead of a verb.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know '죄송하다'.

Writing 5/5

Difficult to remember to use '-어/아 하다' for third persons.

Speaking 6/5

Hard to use naturally without confusing it with the first-person form.

Listening 4/5

Easy to hear, but nuance might be missed by beginners.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

죄송하다 하다 미안하다 선생님 실수

Learn Next

미안해하다 기뻐하다 슬퍼하다 고마워하다 부러워하다

Advanced

송구스럽다 유감이다 뉘우치다 사죄 면목 없다

Grammar to Know

-어/아 하다 suffix for third-person emotions

슬프다 -> 슬퍼하다, 좋다 -> 좋아하다

Honorific infix -시-

죄송해하다 -> 죄송해하시다

Reason connector -아서/어서

늦어서 죄송해해요.

Progressive aspect -고 있다

죄송해하고 있어요.

Noun phrase attribute -는

죄송해하는 사람

Examples by Level

그는 정말 죄송해해요.

He really feels sorry.

Basic third-person use of '죄송해하다'.

친구가 선생님께 죄송해해요.

The friend feels sorry to the teacher.

Using '에게' for the person receiving the apology.

아이들이 죄송해하고 있어요.

The children are feeling sorry.

Progressive form '-고 있다'.

동생이 엄마한테 죄송해해요.

My younger sibling feels sorry to Mom.

Informal '한테' used with the formal '죄송해하다' (unusual but possible in certain family contexts).

그 사람이 아주 죄송해했어요.

That person felt very sorry.

Past tense '했어요'.

모두가 죄송해해요.

Everyone feels sorry.

Subject '모두' (everyone).

그는 죄송해하며 나갔어요.

He went out feeling sorry.

'-하며' meaning 'while doing/feeling'.

누가 죄송해해요?

Who feels sorry?

Question form.

웨이터가 실수를 죄송해해요.

The waiter feels sorry for the mistake.

Describing a professional setting.

그녀는 늦은 것을 죄송해해요.

She feels sorry for being late.

'-은 것' (the fact that...) as the cause.

아버지는 우리에게 죄송해하셨어요.

Father felt sorry to us.

Honorific '하셨어요' for Father.

학생들이 숙제를 안 해서 죄송해해요.

The students feel sorry for not doing their homework.

'-아서/어서' (because) to show reason.

그는 거짓말을 한 것을 죄송해해요.

He feels sorry for having lied.

Past attribute '한' with '것'.

직원이 손님께 죄송해하며 사과했어요.

The staff member apologized, feeling sorry to the guest.

Combining '죄송해하다' with '사과하다'.

제 친구는 항상 죄송해하는 사람이에요.

My friend is a person who always feels sorry.

Attribute form '-하는' describing '사람'.

그들은 자기들의 잘못을 죄송해해요.

They feel sorry for their own mistake.

Plural subject '그들'.

부장님께서 회의에 늦으신 것을 매우 죄송해하셨습니다.

The department manager felt very sorry for being late to the meeting.

High formal ending '-습니다' and honorific '-시-'.

그는 친구의 부탁을 거절한 것을 계속 죄송해하고 있다.

He is continuing to feel sorry for refusing his friend's request.

Progressive '-고 있다' for ongoing emotion.

어머니는 음식이 입에 맞지 않을까 봐 죄송해하셨어요.

Mother felt sorry, worried that the food might not suit your taste.

'-을까 봐' (worried that...).

그 배우는 스캔들로 인해 팬들에게 죄송해하고 있습니다.

The actor is feeling sorry to fans due to the scandal.

'-로 인해' (due to).

사장님은 직원들의 월급이 밀린 것을 정말 죄송해하세요.

The CEO really feels sorry that the employees' wages are delayed.

Present honorific '죄송해하세요'.

그는 자신의 무례한 행동을 진심으로 죄송해하는 것 같았다.

He seemed to be sincerely feeling sorry for his rude behavior.

'-는 것 같다' (seems to be...).

우리는 그가 죄송해하는 마음을 느낄 수 있었다.

We could feel his heart of feeling sorry.

Attribute form '죄송해하는' modifying '마음'.

그녀는 약속을 어긴 것을 죄송해하며 선물을 준비했다.

She prepared a gift, feeling sorry for breaking the promise.

'-하며' connecting two actions.

정부 관계자는 이번 사태에 대해 국민들께 깊이 죄송해하고 있습니다.

The government official is deeply feeling sorry to the people regarding this incident.

Formal '에 대해' (regarding).

그는 부모님의 기대를 저버린 것을 평생 죄송해하며 살았다.

He lived his whole life feeling sorry for letting down his parents' expectations.

Adverbial use of '-하며' over a long period.

선생님께서는 학생들이 다친 것을 본인의 책임인 양 죄송해하셨다.

The teacher felt sorry as if the students' injuries were his own responsibility.

'-인 양' (as if it were...).

그는 자신의 실수가 팀에 피해를 준 것을 무척 죄송해했다.

He felt very sorry that his mistake caused damage to the team.

'-ㄴ 것' as a completed action causing regret.

상대방이 너무 죄송해하니까 오히려 내가 더 미안해졌다.

Because the other person felt so sorry, I felt even more sorry instead.

'-니까' (because) showing cause and effect.

그는 아내에게 생일을 잊어버린 것을 몹시 죄송해하고 있다.

He is feeling extremely sorry to his wife for forgetting her birthday.

Adverb '몹시' (extremely).

회사는 서비스 장애로 불편을 겪은 고객들에게 죄송해하는 기색이 역력했다.

The company's signs of feeling sorry to customers who experienced inconvenience were evident.

'기색이 역력하다' (signs are evident).

그는 어제 술에 취해 실수한 것을 오늘 아침에 아주 죄송해했다.

He felt very sorry this morning for the mistake he made while drunk yesterday.

Time markers '어제' and '오늘 아침'.

그 원로 작가는 자신의 초기 작품들이 지닌 한계를 뒤늦게나마 죄송해했다.

The veteran writer felt sorry, albeit belatedly, for the limitations of his early works.

'-나마' (even if/albeit).

그는 자신의 성공이 타인의 희생 위에 세워진 것임을 깨닫고 깊이 죄송해했다.

He realized that his success was built upon others' sacrifices and felt deeply sorry.

'-음' nominalization and '깨닫고' (realizing).

피고인은 피해자 가족들에게 진심으로 죄송해하는 태도를 보이지 않았다.

The defendant did not show an attitude of sincerely feeling sorry to the victim's family.

Negative '보이지 않았다' with attribute form.

그는 자신이 내뱉은 말 한마디가 누군가에게 상처가 되었음을 죄송해하며 밤잠을 설쳤다.

He tossed and turned all night, feeling sorry that a single word he uttered had hurt someone.

'밤잠을 설쳤다' (to lose sleep).

그 정치인은 과거의 발언에 대해 죄송해하기는커녕 오히려 당당한 태도를 유지했다.

Far from feeling sorry about his past remarks, that politician maintained a confident attitude.

'-기는커녕' (far from...).

부모님은 자식들에게 더 좋은 환경을 만들어주지 못한 것을 늘 죄송해하셨다.

The parents always felt sorry for not being able to provide a better environment for their children.

'-지 못한 것' (fact of not being able to...).

그는 자신의 무지가 초래한 결과를 뼈저리게 죄송해하며 반성했다.

He reflected deeply, feeling painfully sorry for the consequences brought about by his ignorance.

'뼈저리게' (painfully/to the bone).

그는 동료의 공을 가로챈 것에 대해 양심의 가책을 느끼며 죄송해했다.

He felt sorry, feeling a pang of conscience for stealing his colleague's credit.

'양심의 가책' (pang of conscience).

그 철학자는 인간 문명이 자연에 입힌 해악을 인류의 일원으로서 죄송해했다.

The philosopher, as a member of humanity, felt sorry for the harm human civilization has caused to nature.

'인류의 일원으로서' (as a member of humanity).

그는 자신의 선의가 의도치 않게 타인에게 굴레가 되었음을 몹시 죄송해하며 자책했다.

He blamed himself, feeling extremely sorry that his good intentions had unintentionally become a burden to others.

'굴레' (shackle/burden) and '자책했다' (blamed oneself).

역사적 과오를 저지른 국가가 진심으로 죄송해하는 모습을 보일 때 비로소 화해가 시작된다.

True reconciliation begins only when a nation that committed historical errors shows a sincere state of feeling sorry.

'비로소' (finally/only then).

그는 자신의 존재 자체가 누군가에게는 고통이었을지도 모른다는 생각에 죄송해했다.

He felt sorry at the thought that his very existence might have been a source of pain for someone.

'-었을지도 모른다는 생각에' (at the thought that... might have been).

그 감독은 자신의 작품이 사회적 논란을 일으킨 점을 죄송해하며 고개를 숙였다.

The director bowed his head, feeling sorry for the fact that his work caused social controversy.

High-level vocabulary '초래하다' vs '일으킨 점'.

그는 자신이 누리는 특권이 타인의 빈곤을 담보로 한 것임을 인지하고 죄송해했다.

He recognized that the privileges he enjoyed were at the expense of others' poverty and felt sorry.

'~을 담보로 한 것' (at the expense of/collateralized by).

그는 타인의 슬픔을 온전히 공감하지 못하는 자신의 냉담함을 죄송해했다.

He felt sorry for his own coldness in not being able to fully empathize with others' sadness.

'냉담함' (coldness/apathy).

그는 세월의 흐름 속에 잊혀간 약속들을 하나하나 떠올리며 죄송해했다.

He felt sorry as he recalled one by one the promises forgotten in the flow of time.

'세월의 흐름 속에' (in the flow of time).

Common Collocations

진심으로 죄송해하다

매우 죄송해하다

내내 죄송해하다

몹시 죄송해하다

죄송해하는 기색

죄송해하며 사과하다

깊이 죄송해하다

죄송해하는 마음

실수를 죄송해하다

죄송해하는 표정

Common Phrases

죄송해하고 있다

— Currently feeling/showing regret.

그는 지금 아주 죄송해하고 있어요.

죄송해하실 필요 없어요

— There is no need for (him/her) to feel sorry.

그분이 그렇게 죄송해하실 필요는 없는데 말이죠.

죄송해하는 줄 알았는데

— I thought (he/she) felt sorry, but...

죄송해하는 줄 알았는데 전혀 아니더라고요.

정말 죄송해하시더라고요

— I saw that (he/she) was really feeling sorry.

사장님이 정말 죄송해하시더라고요.

죄송해하기는커녕

— Far from feeling sorry.

죄송해하기는커녕 화를 냈어요.

죄송해할 줄 모른다

— Does not know how to feel sorry (shameless).

그 사람은 죄송해할 줄을 몰라요.

죄송해하는 척하다

— To pretend to feel sorry.

그는 그냥 죄송해하는 척하는 거예요.

죄송해하면 다야?

— Is it enough just to feel sorry? (Rhetorical/Aggressive).

그렇게 죄송해하면 다야? 해결을 해야지!

죄송해하는 기미가 보이다

— To show signs of feeling sorry.

드디어 죄송해하는 기미가 보이네요.

죄송해하지 마시라고 전해줘

— Tell him/her not to feel sorry.

부장님께 너무 죄송해하지 마시라고 전해 주세요.

Often Confused With

죄송해하다 vs 죄송하다

Used for the first person ('I am sorry').

죄송해하다 vs 미안해하다

Used for casual relationships or younger people.

죄송해하다 vs 사과하다

Refers to the act of apologizing, not the feeling of regret.

Idioms & Expressions

"쥐구멍에 들어가고 싶을 만큼 죄송해하다"

— To feel so sorry/ashamed that one wants to hide in a mouse hole.

그는 쥐구멍에 들어가고 싶을 만큼 죄송해했다.

Informal/Idiomatic

"고개를 들지 못할 정도로 죄송해하다"

— To feel so sorry that one cannot lift their head.

그는 고개를 들지 못할 정도로 죄송해하며 사과했다.

Formal

"몸 둘 바를 모르게 죄송해하다"

— To feel so sorry that one doesn't know what to do with oneself.

선생님은 학생의 사고를 몸 둘 바를 모르게 죄송해하셨다.

Very Formal

"뼈저리게 죄송해하다"

— To feel sorry to the very bone (deeply/painfully).

그는 자신의 무지를 뼈저리게 죄송해했다.

Literary

"죽을 죄를 지은 듯 죄송해하다"

— To feel sorry as if one has committed a mortal sin.

그는 죽을 죄를 지은 듯 죄송해하며 용서를 빌었다.

Exaggerated/Formal

"얼굴을 붉히며 죄송해하다"

— To feel sorry with a blushing/flushed face (out of shame).

그는 얼굴을 붉히며 죄송해하는 기색이 역력했다.

Neutral

"말문이 막힐 정도로 죄송해하다"

— To be so sorry that one is speechless.

그는 말문이 막힐 정도로 죄송해하며 어쩔 줄 몰라 했다.

Neutral

"눈물을 보이며 죄송해하다"

— To feel sorry while showing tears.

그녀는 눈물을 보이며 진심으로 죄송해했다.

Neutral

"가슴 깊이 죄송해하다"

— To feel sorry deep in one's heart.

그는 가슴 깊이 죄송해하고 있었다.

Literary

"백배사죄하며 죄송해하다"

— To feel sorry while apologizing a hundred times.

그는 백배사죄하며 죄송해하는 마음을 전했다.

Formal/Exaggerated

Easily Confused

죄송해하다 vs 유감이다

Both express 'sorry'.

'유감이다' is for situations or facts, '죄송해하다' is for personal fault or social debt.

그 소식은 유감입니다. vs 그는 실수를 죄송해해요.

죄송해하다 vs 송구하다

Both are formal.

'송구하다' is much higher in formality, often used toward elders or high officials.

송구스럽습니다. vs 사장님이 죄송해하세요.

죄송해하다 vs 안타깝다

Both feel 'sorry'.

'안타깝다' means 'to feel pity or bad for someone else's situation', not regret for one's own action.

그의 상황이 안타까워요. vs 그는 자신의 실수를 죄송해해요.

죄송해하다 vs 미안하다

Basic meaning is the same.

'미안하다' is an adjective for 'I', '죄송해하다' is a verb for 'Him/Her'.

나는 미안해. vs 그는 죄송해해.

죄송해하다 vs 뉘우치다

Both involve regret.

'뉘우치다' is an internal process of repentance; '죄송해하다' is an externalized feeling toward another.

그는 잘못을 뉘우쳤다. vs 그는 나에게 죄송해했다.

Sentence Patterns

A가 B에게 죄송해해요.

민수가 선생님께 죄송해해요.

A가 ~해서 죄송해해요.

그가 늦어서 죄송해해요.

A가 ~한 것을 죄송해해요.

그녀가 실수한 것을 죄송해해요.

A께서 ~하신 점을 죄송해하세요.

부장님께서 지각하신 점을 죄송해하세요.

A가 죄송해하며 ~했어요.

그는 죄송해하며 사과했어요.

A가 죄송해하는 기색이 역력해요.

그는 죄송해하는 기색이 역력해요.

A가 죄송해하기는커녕 ~해요.

그는 죄송해하기는커녕 화를 내요.

A가 ~을/를 죄송해하며 자책하다.

그는 자신의 무지를 죄송해하며 자책했다.

Word Family

Nouns

죄 (crime/sin)

죄송 (apology/sorry)

사과 (apology)

뉘우침 (repentance)

Verbs

죄송하다 (to be sorry - adjective)

사과하다 (to apologize)

뉘우치다 (to repent)

사죄하다 (to make a formal apology)

Adjectives

죄송스러운 (feeling sorry/regretful)

송구스러운 (feeling very sorry)

미안하다

미안해하다

유감이다

반성하다

잘못하다

How to Use It

frequency

Common in professional and formal social contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using it for yourself (e.g., '저는 죄송해해요'). → 저는 죄송합니다.
You cannot use the '-어/아 하다' form to describe your own current internal emotions.
Using '미안해하다' for a superior. → 부장님이 죄송해하세요.
'미안' is casual; '죄송' is formal. Always use the formal root for superiors.
Forgetting the honorific '-시-'. → 선생님이 죄송해하셨어요.
When the subject is respected, the verb must also be in honorific form.
Using it for trivial things. → 미안해하는 것 같아요.
'죄송해하다' is quite heavy. For small things, '미안해하다' is more natural.
Confusing it with '사과하다'. → 그는 죄송해하며 사과했다.
Don't use them interchangeably. One is a feeling, the other is an action.

Tips

The Third Person Rule

Always remember that in Korean, adjectives of emotion (like 죄송하다, 슬프다, 좋다) are only for the first person. For anyone else, you must use the verb form (-어/아 하다).

Respect the Hierarchy

If you are talking about your boss feeling sorry, '죄송해하다' is your only choice. Using '미안해하다' would be a social mistake.

Use with Adverbs

Pair '죄송해하다' with adverbs like '진심으로' (sincerely) or '몹시' (extremely) to sound more natural and descriptive.

Focus on the Suffix

Train your ear to distinguish between '죄송합니다' (direct) and '죄송해해요' (describing someone else). It changes the whole meaning of the sentence.

Sincerity Matters

In Korea, showing that you are '죄송해하다' (actively feeling sorry) is often more important than the actual words of the apology.

Avoid Self-Reference

Never say '저는 죄송해해요'. It sounds like you are a robot observing your own programming. Just say '죄송합니다'.

Contrast with 사과하다

Use '사과하다' for the action and '죄송해하다' for the emotion. 'He apologized (사과했다) because he felt sorry (죄송해해서).'

TOPIK Tip

This word often appears in the reading section of TOPIK II to describe characters' feelings. Look for the honorific forms.

Situation vs Person

If the regret is about a situation, consider '유감이다'. If it's about a person's fault, stick with '죄송해하다'.

Role Play

Practice describing a scene where a subordinate is apologizing to a manager. This is the most natural home for this word.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jwe-Song' as 'Jewel Song'. Imagine someone singing a 'Jewel Song' of apology to a king because they lost a precious gem. They are 'Jwe-Song-Hae-Ha-Da' (acting out the song of being sorry).

Visual Association

Picture a subordinate in a suit, bowing deeply (90 degrees) to a boss. The subordinate is '죄송해하다'-ing. The bow is the visible action that makes it a verb.

Word Web

Regret Apology Third-person Formal Hierarchy Observation Sincerity Respect

Challenge

Try to describe a scene from a movie where a character is apologizing to someone older. Use '죄송해하다' to describe the character's feelings to a friend.

Word Origin

The word is a combination of the Sino-Korean noun '죄송' (罪悚) and the auxiliary verb construction '-어/아 하다'.

Original meaning: 죄 (罪) means 'sin' or 'crime', and 송 (悚) means 'to fear' or 'to be apprehensive'. Together, '죄송' originally implied a state of fearing that one has committed a sin or a breach of etiquette.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

Cultural Context

Always use '죄송해하다' instead of '미안해하다' when the subject is older or in a higher position than you, or when they are in a formal setting. Using '미안해하다' in these cases can seem dismissive of their status.

English speakers often struggle with this because 'to feel sorry' is used for everyone. In English, we don't change the verb based on whose heart we are talking about, but Korean requires this 'objective' shift.

Public apologies by K-pop idols often use this terminology in news reports. Historical dramas (Sageuk) use the root '죄송' frequently when subjects speak to the King. The movie 'Secret Sunshine' explores deep themes of forgiveness and the act of feeling sorry.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Workplace

실수를 죄송해하다
결과를 죄송해하다
지각을 죄송해하다
부장님이 죄송해하시다

Family

부모님이 죄송해하시다
동생이 죄송해하다
걱정시켜서 죄송해하다
명절에 못 가서 죄송해하다

News/Media

국민께 죄송해하다
물의를 일으켜 죄송해하다
반성하며 죄송해하다
고개를 숙여 죄송해하다

Customer Service

불편을 죄송해하다
지연을 죄송해하다
품절을 죄송해하다
직원이 죄송해하다

Social Gatherings

늦게 와서 죄송해하다
먼저 가서 죄송해하다
못 와서 죄송해하다
친구가 죄송해하다

Conversation Starters

"그 사람이 어제 일로 정말 죄송해하고 있더라고요."

"사장님이 이번 프로젝트 지연을 많이 죄송해하세요."

"제 친구가 그쪽한테 실례한 걸 너무 죄송해해요."

"혹시 그분이 아직도 그 일을 죄송해하고 계신가요?"

"선생님께서 시험 문제가 너무 어려웠던 걸 죄송해하셨어요."

Journal Prompts

오늘 누군가가 나에게 '죄송해하는' 모습을 본 적이 있나요? 어떤 상황이었나요?

내가 다른 사람의 마음을 '죄송해한다'고 표현할 때, 그 이유는 무엇일까요?

한국어에서 '죄송하다'와 '죄송해하다'를 구분하는 것이 왜 중요하다고 생각하나요?

누군가가 나에게 죄송해할 때, 나는 보통 어떻게 반응하나요?

직장이나 학교에서 누군가가 큰 실수를 하고 죄송해하던 기억을 써 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should not. Using '-어/아 하다' for yourself sounds like you are looking at yourself as a third person. Use '죄송합니다' or '죄송해요' instead.

'사과하다' is the act of saying the words of apology. '죄송해하다' is the state of feeling or showing that you are sorry. You can apologize (사과하다) without actually feeling sorry (죄송해하다).

Use '미안해하다' when the person feeling sorry is your friend, a younger person, or in a very casual situation. Use '죄송해하다' in formal settings or when showing high respect.

It is a verb. The original '죄송하다' is an adjective, but adding '-어/아 하다' turns it into an active verb.

You say '그는 죄송해했어요' or the honorific '그분은 죄송해하셨어요'.

Yes, because it is a verb, you can say 'A가 B를 죄송해하다', although 'B에게 죄송해하다' is more common in daily speech.

Because news reporters must remain objective. They cannot say 'The politician feels sorry' as a fact of his heart, so they describe his observable state of 'feeling sorry'.

Usually, yes. It carries a heavier nuance than '미안해하다'. It suggests a serious acknowledgement of a fault or a formal social debt.

Add '-시-' to get '죄송해하시다'. Then conjugate to '죄송해하세요' or '죄송해하십니다'.

Yes, this is very common. It means 'It seems like (he/she) feels sorry' and adds a layer of politeness and uncertainty.