Level 5

우울

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Meaning and Usage

The Korean word '우울' refers to a feeling of gloominess or depression. It is often used to describe a low or melancholic mood rather than clinical depression.

Common Contexts

You will hear '우울' in everyday conversations when someone talks about feeling down or sad. It can describe temporary moods or a general atmosphere, such as in movies or music.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 우울하다: to feel gloomy or depressed
  • 우울한 기분: a gloomy mood
  • 우울증: clinical depression (more medical term)

Register and Nuance

'우울' is a neutral term used in both formal and informal contexts. It is less intense than words like '우울증' which refer to clinical depression. When using '우울', speakers usually imply a temporary or situational sadness.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '우울' with '슬프다' (sad). '우울' emphasizes a gloomy or heavy mood, often without a specific cause, while '슬프다' is more about sadness due to a particular event.

Example Sentences

요즘 들어 우울한 기분이 자주 들어요.

Yojeum deureo uulhan gibuni jaju deureoyo.

Lately, I often feel gloomy.

우울할 때는 친구와 이야기하는 것이 도움이 돼요.

Uulhal ttaeneun chinguga iyagihaneun geosi doumi dwaeyo.

Talking with friends helps when you feel depressed.

그 영화는 우울한 분위기를 잘 표현했어요.

Geu yeonghwaneun uulhan bunwigireul jal pyohyeonhaesseoyo.

That movie expressed a gloomy atmosphere well.