Level 4

불편하다

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Meaning and Usage

The adjective '불편하다' describes a state of discomfort, inconvenience, or unpleasantness. It can refer to physical discomfort, such as an uncomfortable chair, or emotional unease, like feeling awkward in social situations.

Common Contexts

  • Physical discomfort: chairs, clothes, environments
  • Emotional or social discomfort: awkward conversations, uneasy feelings
  • Practical inconvenience: situations that cause trouble or difficulty

Collocations and Patterns

  • 불편하다 + 장소/물건: to describe something physically uncomfortable (e.g., 불편한 의자)
  • 불편하다 + 기분/마음: to express emotional discomfort (e.g., 불편한 마음)
  • 불편하시면 + polite request: used to offer help if someone feels uncomfortable

Register and Politeness

'불편하다' is neutral and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. When making polite offers or requests, it often appears with honorific forms like '불편하시면'.

Common Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse '불편하다' with '불쾌하다' (to be displeased or disgusted). '불편하다' is more about discomfort or inconvenience, while '불쾌하다' expresses stronger negative emotions.

Example Sentences

이 의자는 너무 불편해서 오래 앉아 있을 수 없어요.

I uijaneun neomu bulpyeonhaseo orae anja isseul su eopseoyo.

This chair is so uncomfortable that I can't sit on it for a long time.

불편하시면 언제든지 말씀해 주세요.

Bulpyeonhasimyeon eonjedeunji malsseumhae juseyo.

If you feel uncomfortable, please let me know anytime.

그 사람과 이야기할 때마다 불편한 기분이 들어요.

Geu saramgwa iyagihal ttaemada bulpyeonhan gibuni deureoyo.

I feel uncomfortable every time I talk with that person.