Korean Dictionary
How to say "Dejected" in Korean
“Dejected” in Korean is 낙담하다 (pronounced "Nakdamhada").
낙담하다
Nakdamhada
Usage & Context
Describes discouragement after a failure or setback. Common after failing exams, losing competitions, or experiencing rejection. 낙담하지 마세요 (don't be dejected) is a common phrase of encouragement in Korean.
Example Sentence
시험에 떨어져서 많이 낙담했지만 다시 도전할 거예요.
I was dejected after failing the exam, but I'll try again.
How to use 낙담하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Dejected” is 낙담하다, romanized as Nakdamhada.
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 낙담하다.
Pronunciation Guide
'Nak' sounds like 'knock' without the 'ck' sound, just the 'n' and 'ah'. 'Dam' is like 'dumb' but with a clear 'ah' sound. 'Ha' is like 'ha' in 'haha', and 'da' is like 'dah' in 'dah-ling'. The stress is fairly even across the syllables.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
낙담합니다
Nakdamhamnida
Formal declarative form, used in polite and respectful situations.
Casual (반말)
낙담해
Nakdamhae
Casual declarative or imperative form, used with close friends or subordinates.
More Example Sentences
After a work project failure.
프로젝트가 실패해서 팀원들이 모두 낙담했어요.
All the team members were dejected because the project failed.
Experiencing a personal setback.
그녀는 오디션에서 떨어지고 한동안 낙담해 있었다.
She was dejected for a while after failing the audition.
Encouraging a friend after a bad outcome.
결과에 너무 낙담하지 말고 다음 기회를 노려봐.
Don't be too dejected by the result; look for the next opportunity.
Cultural Context
In Korean culture, while feeling '낙담하다' is a natural human emotion, there's a strong emphasis on resilience and overcoming hardships. Phrases like '힘내세요!' (Cheer up!) or '괜찮아요, 다시 하면 돼요' (It's okay, you can try again) are commonly used to encourage those feeling dejected. This reflects a collective spirit of perseverance, often seen in competitive environments like academics or job hunting.
Editorial note
We review entries like 낙담하다 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
낙담하지 마세요.
Don't be dejected.
너무 낙담할 필요 없어요.
There's no need to be too dejected.
잠시 낙담했지만 다시 일어섰어요.
I was dejected for a moment, but I got back up.
Related Expressions
실망하다
Silmanghada
to be disappointed (similar, but 낙담하다 is deeper)
좌절하다
Jwajeolhada
to be frustrated/to despair (stronger than 낙담하다)
기운을 내다
Giuneul naeda
to cheer up/regain energy (antonym)
희망을 잃다
Huimangeul ilta
to lose hope (related concept)
More Emotions Words
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