Korean Dictionary
How to say "Anxious" in Korean
“Anxious” in Korean is 불안하다 (pronounced "Buranhada").
불안하다
Buranhada
Usage & Context
Describes a restless, uneasy feeling about uncertain outcomes. Commonly used before exam results, job interviews, or medical appointments. Different from 긴장 (nervousness), which is more about physical tension before an event.
Example Sentence
시험 결과를 기다리는 동안 너무 불안했어요.
I was so anxious while waiting for the exam results.
How to use 불안하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Anxious” is 불안하다, romanized as Buranhada.
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 불안하다.
Pronunciation Guide
불 (bul) sounds like 'bull' in English. 안 (an) sounds like 'ahn' as in 'father'. 하 (ha) sounds like 'ha' in 'haha'. 다 (da) sounds like 'da' in 'data'. Put it together: 'Bool-ahn-ha-da'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
불안해요
Buranaeyo
Common polite form.
Casual (반말)
불안해
Buranae
Common casual form.
More Example Sentences
Job interview anxiety.
내일 면접 때문에 밤새 불안해서 잠을 못 잤어요.
I was so anxious about tomorrow's interview that I couldn't sleep all night.
Worry about a child's health.
아이가 아프다고 해서 너무 불안한 마음이 들었어요.
My child said they were sick, so I felt very anxious.
Uncertainty about the future.
미래가 어떻게 될지 몰라서 가끔 불안할 때가 있어요.
I sometimes feel anxious because I don't know what the future holds.
Cultural Context
불안하다 captures a deeper, more sustained sense of unease compared to 긴장하다 (nervous). It's often used when discussing mental health or general life uncertainties. In K-dramas, characters often express '불안해' when facing an unknown future or a difficult situation, highlighting a sense of emotional turmoil rather than just pre-event jitters. It's a feeling that lingers.
Editorial note
We review entries like 불안하다 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
불안한 마음
Anxious feeling/mind
불안해 보여
You look anxious (casual)
불안감을 느끼다
To feel anxiety
Related Expressions
걱정하다
Geokjeonghada
To worry
초조하다
Chojohada
To be restless, fidgety
두렵다
Duryeopda
To be afraid, fearful
안심하다
Ansimhada
To be relieved, feel at ease (antonym)
More Emotions Words
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