Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to cry" in Korean: 울다
울다ulda
to cry in Korean is 울다 (ulda). 울다 means cry; 눈물 is the noun for tears, while 울음 is crying as a noun.
to cry: an everyday statement
아기가 울어요.agiga ureoyo.
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How to pronounce 울다
Say it
ulda
/ulta/
Read 울다 as ulda. The spoken form 울어요 is ureoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to cry" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 울다ulda | to cry Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 울어요ureoyo | to cry (polite present) Use 울어요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 울어요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 울었어요ureosseoyo | to cry (polite past) Use 울었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 울었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 울다 in real life
- 1to cry: an everyday statement
아기가 울어요.
agiga ureoyo.
The baby cries.
울어요 is the present form of 울다.
- 2to cry: a different situation
슬픈 영화를 보고 울었어요.
seulpeun yeonghwareul bogo ureosseoyo.
I cried after watching a sad film.
울었어요 is the past form of 울다.
- 3to cry: a question or request
왜 울어요?
wae ureoyo?
Why are you crying?
울어요 is the present form of 울다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 울다
Incorrect: 울다.
Correct: 울어요.
When practicing to cry, 울다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 울어요.
Incorrect: 어제 울어요.
Correct: 어제 울었어요.
When practicing to cry, for a completed event yesterday, use 울었어요; the present form 울어요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
울다 means cry; 눈물 is the noun for tears, while 울음 is crying as a noun. 울어요 is the polite conversational form of 울다; 울었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 울다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
아기가 울어요.
agiga ureoyo.
The baby cries.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
슬픈 영화를 보고 울었어요.
seulpeun yeonghwareul bogo ureosseoyo.
I cried after watching a sad film.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to cry" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to cry" in Korean
How do I use 울다 in polite speech?
울어요 is the polite conversational form of 울다; 울었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 울다 in a past-tense sentence?
울었어요 is the polite past form. 울다 means cry; 눈물 is the noun for tears, while 울음 is crying as a noun.
What does 울어요 mean here?
울어요 is used for to cry. For example, 아기가 울어요. means “The baby cries.”
What should I remember about 울다?
울다 means cry; 눈물 is the noun for tears, while 울음 is crying as a noun.
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