- Words
- Hard to translate
- 서운하다
번역되지 않는 말 · Hard to translate
서운하다 seounhada
literally “let down, a little hurt”
the quiet hurt of expecting a little more from someone close
서운하다 is the quiet hurt of expecting a little more from someone close: a friend who forgot to call, a teacher who didn't notice. It is milder than "hurt" and warmer than "disappointed", and saying it out loud is often how Koreans ask for the gap to be closed.
The closest English
“hurt”
Too strong. 서운하다 is a small ache, not a wound.
“disappointed”
You can be disappointed by a film. 서운하다 is mostly about people, usually ones you expected a little more from.
“left out”
Part of it, but you can be 서운하다 with just one other person.
In a sentence
처음에 소리쌤이 대신 읽어 주지 않으셔서 서운했어요. 그런데 이제는 알아요. 제가 직접 읽어야 하는 편지였다는 걸요.
At first I was hurt that you wouldn't read it for me. But I understand now that it was a letter I had to read myself.
Sori says it
Sori
호야 씨, 생일이라고 말 안 해 줘서 조금 서운했어요.
Hoya, I was a little hurt that you didn't tell me it was your birthday.