Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Scared (afraid)" in Korean: 무섭다
무섭다museopda
Scared (afraid) in Korean is 무섭다 (museopda). 무섭다 can mean scary or afraid depending on the subject; 저는 무서워요 says I am scared.
Scared (afraid): an everyday statement
저는 어두운 곳이 무서워요.jeoneun eoduun gosi museowoyo.
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How to pronounce 무섭다
Say it
museopda
/musʌp̚t͈a/
Read 무섭다 as museopda. The spoken form 무서워요 is museowoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Scared (afraid)" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 무섭다museopda | Scared (afraid) Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 무서워요museowoyo | Scared (afraid) (polite present) Use 무서워요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 무서워요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 무서웠어요museowosseoyo | Scared (afraid) (polite past) Use 무서웠어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 무서웠어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 무섭다 in real life
- 1Scared (afraid): an everyday statement
저는 어두운 곳이 무서워요.
jeoneun eoduun gosi museowoyo.
I am scared of dark places.
무서워요 is the present form of 무섭다.
- 2Scared (afraid): a different situation
어제는 혼자 있어서 무서웠어요.
eojeneun honja isseoseo museowosseoyo.
I was scared because I was alone yesterday.
무서웠어요 is the past form of 무섭다.
- 3Scared (afraid): a question or request
이 영화가 무서워요?
i yeonghwaga museowoyo?
Is this film scary?
무서워요 is the present form of 무섭다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 무섭다
Incorrect: 무섭다.
Correct: 무서워요.
When practicing scared (afraid), 무섭다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 무서워요.
Incorrect: 어제 무서워요.
Correct: 어제 무서웠어요.
When practicing scared (afraid), for a completed event yesterday, use 무서웠어요; the present form 무서워요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
무섭다 can mean scary or afraid depending on the subject; 저는 무서워요 says I am scared. 무서워요 is the polite conversational form of 무섭다; 무서웠어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 무섭다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
저는 어두운 곳이 무서워요.
jeoneun eoduun gosi museowoyo.
I am scared of dark places.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제는 혼자 있어서 무서웠어요.
eojeneun honja isseoseo museowosseoyo.
I was scared because I was alone yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Scared (afraid)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Scared (afraid)" in Korean
How do I use 무섭다 in polite speech?
무서워요 is the polite conversational form of 무섭다; 무서웠어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 무섭다 in a past-tense sentence?
무서웠어요 is the polite past form. 무섭다 can mean scary or afraid depending on the subject; 저는 무서워요 says I am scared.
What does 무서워요 mean here?
무서워요 is used for scared (afraid). For example, 저는 어두운 곳이 무서워요. means “I am scared of dark places.”
What should I remember about 무섭다?
무섭다 can mean scary or afraid depending on the subject; 저는 무서워요 says I am scared.
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