Korean Dictionary
How to say "Anxiety" in Korean
“Anxiety” in Korean is 불안 (pronounced "buran").
불안
buran
Usage & Context
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about an uncertain outcome. In Korea's high-pressure academic and work culture, anxiety disorders are increasingly recognized and treated.
Example Sentence
시험 전날 불안한 마음이 든다.
I feel anxious the night before an exam.
How to use 불안 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Anxiety” is 불안, romanized as buran.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 불안.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'boo-rahn' — 불 like 'bool' (as in 'pool') with the 'l' flowing into the next syllable, and 안 like 'ahn'. The phrase 불안하다 is the adjective form.
More Example Sentences
A university senior talking to a counselor.
미래에 대한 불안감이 점점 커지고 있어요.
My anxiety about the future is growing.
A therapist giving a client a coping tip.
불안할 때는 깊게 숨을 쉬어보세요.
When you feel anxious, try taking deep breaths.
A sympathetic friend explaining someone's situation.
그는 불안 장애 진단을 받고 치료를 시작했어요.
He was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and started treatment.
Cultural Context
Open talk about 불안 has grown sharply in Korea as the stigma around mental health eases, especially among younger generations influenced by K-drama storylines and celebrity disclosures. The term 불안 장애 (anxiety disorder) is now commonly mentioned on TV and in 직장인 (office worker) media. Still, older generations may prefer softer expressions like 걱정 (worry) or 속이 답답하다 (feeling stuffy in the chest) rather than naming it clinically.
Editorial note
We review entries like 불안 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
요즘 좀 불안해요.
I've been a bit anxious lately.
왜 이렇게 불안하지?
Why do I feel so anxious?
불안해하지 마세요.
Don't be anxious.
Related Expressions
불안하다
buranhada
To feel anxious/uneasy (verb form)
불안감
burangam
Feeling of anxiety
걱정
geokjeong
Worry / concern
불안 장애
buran jangae
Anxiety disorder
More Mental Health & Wellness Words
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