Meaning and Usage
The noun '괴로움' refers to feelings of suffering, distress, or mental anguish. It is often used to describe emotional or psychological pain rather than physical pain.
Common Contexts
You will frequently encounter '괴로움' in contexts involving personal struggles, emotional hardship, or mental stress. It can describe both temporary troubles and deeper, ongoing suffering.
Collocations and Patterns
- 괴로움을 참다: to endure distress; used when someone is trying to bear emotional pain.
- 괴로움 끝에: at the end of suffering; often used to express resolution after hardship.
- 괴로움이 깊다: the distress is deep; describes the intensity of suffering.
Register and Nuance
'괴로움' is a formal or literary word, suitable for written language and serious conversations. It is less common in casual speech where simpler words like '고통' or '슬픔' might be used.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '괴로움' with physical pain words like '아픔'. Remember that '괴로움' emphasizes mental or emotional suffering, not physical pain.