Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language
속상하다 sok-sang-ha-da
To feel inwardly bruised, distressed, and heavy-hearted
What does 속상하다 mean?
속상하다 (sok-sang-ha-da) means: To feel inwardly bruised, distressed, and heavy-hearted.
Often translated as upset, but its literal root is 'inside (sok) is bruised/spoiled (sang-ha-da).' It is the go-to word when things didn't go your way, people misunderstood you, or quiet unfairness breaks your heart.
🔊 From the story above
울컥하다 — Ul-keok-ha-da
울지 마 — ul-ji ma, "don't cry"
다 잘 될 거야 — ul-ji ma, da jal doel geo-ya, "Don't cry, everything will be fine"
속상하다 — sok-sang-ha-da, "to feel inwardly bruised, distressed, and heavy-hearted"
울음이 터지다 — ul-eum-i teo-ji-da, "for crying to burst open"
많이 서러웠겠구나 — man-hi seo-reow-eot-gett-gu-na, "You must have felt so deeply wronged"
마음이 참 아프겠네 — ma-eum-i cham a-peu-gett-ne, "Your heart must really be hurting"
별일 아니야 — ul-ji ma, byeol-il a-ni-ya, "Don't cry, it's nothing"
🎙️ 속상하다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [속쌍하다]로 소리나요 (경음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 아무리 열심히 준비했는데 결과가 이러니까 너무 속상해.
amuri yeolsimhi junbihaenneunde gyeolgwa-ga ireonikka neomu soksanghae.
I prepared so hard, so seeing these results makes me feel so inwardly heavy and upset.
💡 Expresses bruised feelings after a disappointing outcome. - 친구가 내 비밀을 다른 사람한테 말했다니 진짜 속상하다.
chinguga nae bimireul dareun saramhante malhaetdani jinjja soksanghada.
It really hurts my heart to find out that a friend told someone else my secret.
💡 Used when emotional trust has been breached by someone close. - 엄마가 나의 진심을 몰라줄 때마다 정말 속상해 죽겠어.
eommaga naui jinsimeul mollajul ttaemada jeongmal soksanghae jukgesseo.
It breaks my heart every time my mom doesn't understand my true intentions.
💡 Expresses deep frustration and hurt over a misunderstanding.
Related words in Culture & Language
토닥토닥 to-dak-to-dak눈물겹다 nun-mul-gyeop-da서두르다 seo-du-reu-da재촉하다 jae-chok-ha-da닥달하다 dak-dal-ha-da