Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Sad" in Korean: 슬프다
슬프다seulpeuda
Sad in Korean is 슬프다 (seulpeuda). 슬프다 loses ㅡ in 슬퍼요; it describes sadness rather than physical illness.
Sad: an everyday statement
이 이야기는 슬퍼요.i iyagineun seulpeoyo.
Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce 슬프다
Say it
seulpeuda
/sɯlpʰɯta/
Read 슬프다 as seulpeuda. The spoken form 슬퍼요 is seulpeoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Sad" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 슬프다seulpeuda | Sad Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 슬퍼요seulpeoyo | Sad (polite present) Use 슬퍼요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 슬퍼요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 슬펐어요seulpeosseoyo | Sad (polite past) Use 슬펐어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 슬펐어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 슬프다 in real life
- 1Sad: an everyday statement
이 이야기는 슬퍼요.
i iyagineun seulpeoyo.
This story is sad.
슬퍼요 is the present form of 슬프다.
- 2Sad: a different situation
어제 그 소식을 듣고 슬펐어요.
eoje geu sosigeul deutgo seulpeosseoyo.
I was sad after hearing that news yesterday.
슬펐어요 is the past form of 슬프다.
- 3Sad: a question or request
왜 슬퍼요?
wae seulpeoyo?
Why are you sad?
슬퍼요 is the present form of 슬프다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 슬프다
Incorrect: 슬프다.
Correct: 슬퍼요.
When practicing sad, 슬프다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 슬퍼요.
Incorrect: 어제 슬퍼요.
Correct: 어제 슬펐어요.
When practicing sad, for a completed event yesterday, use 슬펐어요; the present form 슬퍼요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
슬프다 loses ㅡ in 슬퍼요; it describes sadness rather than physical illness. 슬퍼요 is the polite conversational form of 슬프다; 슬펐어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 슬프다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
이 이야기는 슬퍼요.
i iyagineun seulpeoyo.
This story is sad.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 그 소식을 듣고 슬펐어요.
eoje geu sosigeul deutgo seulpeosseoyo.
I was sad after hearing that news yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Sad" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Sad" in Korean
How do I use 슬프다 in polite speech?
슬퍼요 is the polite conversational form of 슬프다; 슬펐어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 슬프다 in a past-tense sentence?
슬펐어요 is the polite past form. 슬프다 loses ㅡ in 슬퍼요; it describes sadness rather than physical illness.
What does 슬퍼요 mean here?
슬퍼요 is used for sad. For example, 이 이야기는 슬퍼요. means “This story is sad.”
What should I remember about 슬프다?
슬프다 loses ㅡ in 슬퍼요; it describes sadness rather than physical illness.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
