[Korean Culture/Situational Korean : Role-Play] How to Use “섭섭하다” in Korean

Today, let’s practice using the Korean adjective “섭섭하다.”

As I explained in the last post, “섭섭하다” is a Korean adjective that is almost impossible to translate directly into English.

In the dictionary, “섭섭하다” means:

“To feel unhappy or dissatisfied because something did not meet your expectations.”

It can also mean having a sad or regretful feeling because something feels precious or hard to let go of.

But if you only read the dictionary meaning, it still feels a little vague, right?

So today, let’s learn how to use “섭섭하다” through role-plays.

Situation 1: Talking with a childhood friend you have known for 20 years

• Friend : 나 이사 날짜 정해졌어. 7월에 이사 가.
  English: My moving date is set. I’m moving in July.
  Pronunciation: na ee-sa nal-jja jung-heh-juh-sseo. chil-wol-eh ee-sa ga.
• Me : 결국 가는구나.
  English: So you really are leaving.
  Pronunciation: gyul-gook ga-neun-goo-na.
• Friend : 응. 가끔 놀러 와.
  English: Yeah. Come visit me sometimes.
  Pronunciation: eung. ga-kkeum nol-luh wa.
• Me : 너무 섭섭하다.
  English: I feel really sad about it. / I’m really going to miss you.
  Pronunciation: nuh-moo suhp-suhp-ha-da.

Situation 2: At dinner with family

• Sister : 아, 다음 주가 빨리 왔으면 좋겠다!
  English: Ah, I wish next week would come quickly!
  Pronunciation: ah, da-eum joo-ga ppal-li wa-sseu-myun jo-ket-da!
• Me : 내 말이!
  English: I know, right?
  Pronunciation: neh ma-ree!
• Brother : 왜?
  English: Why?
  Pronunciation: weh?
• Mom : 아 맞다, 너한텐 말하는 걸 깜빡했구나. 다음 주에 디즈니랜드 가기로 했어.
  English: Oh, right. I forgot to tell you. We decided to go to Disneyland next week.
  Pronunciation: ah mat-da, nuh-han-ten mal-ha-neun geol kkam-ppak-het-goo-na. da-eum joo-eh Disney-land ga-gi-ro heh-sseo.
• Brother : 디즈니랜드?! 다음 주엔 나 시험이잖아!
  English: Disneyland?! I have an exam next week!
  Pronunciation: Disney-land?! da-eum joo-en na shi-hum-ee-ja-na!
• Mom : 미안해. 어쩌다 보니 그렇게 됐어.
  English: I’m sorry. It just ended up that way.
  Pronunciation: mee-an-heh. uh-jjuh-da bo-nee geu-ruh-keh dweh-sseo.
• Brother : 정말 너무해!
  English: That’s so unfair!
  Pronunciation: jung-mal nuh-moo-heh!

(Brother goes into his room.)

• Sister : 어떡해. 마음이 안 좋다.
  English: Oh no. I feel bad.
  Pronunciation: uh-tteok-heh. ma-eum-ee an jo-ta.
• Me : 그러게… 너무 섭섭하겠다.
  English: Yeah… he must feel really hurt.
  Pronunciation: geu-ruh-geh… nuh-moo suhp-suhp-ha-get-da.

Situation 3: Having a meal with a co-worker

• Co-worker : 오늘 기운이 없어 보인다?
  English: You look a little down today.
  Pronunciation: oh-neul gee-oon-ee up-suh bo-een-da?
• Me : 이번 프로젝트 있잖아? 팀장님이 나보고 지난 프로젝트처럼 대충 하지는 말아달래.
  English: You know this project? My team leader told me not to do it carelessly like the last project.
  Pronunciation: ee-bun project it-ja-na? team-jang-nim-ee na-bo-go ji-nan project-chuh-rum deh-choong ha-jee-neun ma-ra-dal-leh.
• Co-worker : 뭐? 너 지난 프로젝트 때 계속 남아서 일했잖아!
  English: What? You kept staying late during the last project!
  Pronunciation: mwuh? nuh ji-nan project tteh gye-sok na-ma-suh il-het-ja-na!
• Me : 맞아.
  English: Exactly.
  Pronunciation: ma-ja.
• Co-worker : 정말 최선을 다하지 않았어?
  English: Didn’t you really do your best?
  Pronunciation: jung-mal chweh-sun-eul da-ha-jee ah-na-sseo?
• Me : 그러니까. 정말 섭섭해.
  English: Exactly. I feel really hurt.
  Pronunciation: geu-ruh-nee-kka. jung-mal suhp-suhp-heh.

Try using “섭섭하다” to express your feelings in different situations.

Was this a little helpful?

If not, I might feel “섭섭하다.” 😢

Haha.