Korean Dictionary
How to say "Curious" in Korean
“Curious” in Korean is 궁금하다 (pronounced "Gunggeumhada").
궁금하다
Gunggeumhada
Usage & Context
Expresses curiosity or eagerness to know something. 궁금해요 is a natural way to say 'I'm curious' or even 'I wonder.' Frequently used when asking follow-up questions in conversation.
Example Sentence
그 결과가 어떻게 됐는지 너무 궁금해요.
I'm so curious about how that turned out.
How to use 궁금하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Curious” is 궁금하다, romanized as Gunggeumhada.
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 궁금하다.
Pronunciation Guide
궁 (Gung) sounds like 'goong' in 'kung fu'. 금 (geum) is like 'gum' in 'bubblegum'. 하 (ha) is like 'ha' in 'haha'. 다 (da) is like 'da' in 'dad'. The stress is fairly even.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
궁금해요
Gunggeumhaeyo
Common polite form, used in everyday conversations.
Casual (반말)
궁금해
Gunggeumhae
Casual form, used among close friends or to subordinates.
More Example Sentences
Expressing eagerness to know the continuation of a narrative (e.g., K-drama, book).
다음 이야기가 어떻게 될지 정말 궁금해요.
I'm really curious about what will happen in the next story.
Explaining the reason for an action driven by curiosity.
친구가 어디 갔는지 궁금해서 전화해 봤어요.
I was curious where my friend went, so I called them.
A language learner expressing interest in a new culture.
한국 문화에 대해 궁금한 점이 많아요.
I have many things I'm curious about regarding Korean culture.
Cultural Context
궁금하다 is a very common and versatile expression. It's not just 'I'm curious,' but can also mean 'I wonder' or 'I want to know.' Koreans use it frequently when asking questions or showing interest in someone's story. For example, '그 사람 요즘 어떻게 지내는지 궁금해요' (I wonder how that person is doing these days) is a natural way to ask about someone you haven't seen in a while. It's a polite way to prompt more information without being intrusive.
Editorial note
We review entries like 궁금하다 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
궁금한 점
A point of curiosity, something I'm curious about
궁금해서 못 참겠어
I'm so curious I can't stand it (casual)
뭐가 궁금하세요?
What are you curious about? / What do you want to know? (polite)
Related Expressions
알고 싶다
Algo sipda
To want to know (very close synonym)
의문이 들다
Uimuni deulda
To have a question/doubt (related concept, more about uncertainty)
관심 있다
Gwansim itda
To be interested in (related concept, curiosity often stems from interest)
무관심하다
Mugwansimhada
To be indifferent, uninterested (antonym)
More Emotions Words
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