Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language
송구하다 song-gu-ha-da
To feel utmost reverence and profound apologetic respect beyond standard daily registers
What does 송구하다 mean?
송구하다 (song-gu-ha-da) means: To feel utmost reverence and profound apologetic respect beyond standard daily registers.
An elevated literary or corporate vocabulary term used in extreme formal situations (news broadcasts, corporate apologies, addressing high elders) where ordinary 'joesonghamnida' feels insufficient to convey the required level of self-abasement.
🔊 From the story above
죄송합니다 — Mi-an-haeyo vs Joesonghamnida
미안해요 — mi-an-haeyo, "I'm sorry"
미안하다 — mi-an-ha-da, "to feel sorry in a warm, relational, close-proximity sense"
늦어서 정말 죄송합니다 — neu-jeo-seo jeong-mal joesonghamnida, "I'm truly sorry for being late"
괜찮아요 — gwaen-chan-a-yo, "it's fine"
죄송하다 — listen & repeat
미안 미안 — listen & repeat
팀장님 — listen & repeat
How it's actually used
- 갑작스러운 공지사항으로 혼란을 드려 대단히 송구합니다.
gapjakseureun gongjisahangeuro honraneul deuryeo daedani songguhamnida.
We sincerely apologize for causing confusion with this sudden announcement.
💡 Standard corporate phrasing for formal announcements. - 이런 일로 심려를 끼쳐 드려 정말 송구할 따름입니다.
ireon illo simryeoreul kkichyeo deuryeo jeongmal songguhal ttareumimnida.
I am deeply and profoundly apologetic for causing you such worry over this matter.
💡 Extremely formal, used to express heavy responsibility or remorse. - 바쁘신 와중에 이렇게 시간을 내주셔서 송구스럽습니다.
bappeusin wajunge ireoke siganeul naejusyeoseo songguseureopseumnida.
I feel deeply apologetic for taking up your time when you are already so busy.
💡 Polite deference when accepting a favor from a superior.
Related words in Culture & Language
속상하다 sok-sang-ha-da토닥토닥 to-dak-to-dak눈물겹다 nun-mul-gyeop-da서두르다 seo-du-reu-da재촉하다 jae-chok-ha-da