Korean Dictionary
How to say "Empathy" in Korean
“Empathy” in Korean is 공감 (pronounced "gonggan").
공감
gonggan
Usage & Context
Expression meaning to empathize or relate to someone's feelings. Used frequently in online communities to show understanding and support.
Example Sentence
너 그 기분 알아, 공감해.
I understand your feeling, I empathize.
How to use 공감 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Empathy” is 공감, romanized as gonggan.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
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 공감.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'gong-gam' — 'gong' rhymes with 'gong' (musical), 'gam' like 'gahm'. The 'gg' between syllables is slightly held.
More Example Sentences
discussing music that resonates
이 노래 가사에 공감돼요.
I relate to the lyrics of this song.
describing someone's personality
공감 능력이 뛰어난 사람이에요.
They have excellent empathy.
agreeing with a friend
네 말에 완전 공감해.
I totally relate to what you're saying.
Cultural Context
공감 carries a stronger emotional weight than simple 'agreement' — it's about feeling with someone. In Korean social media, '공감' buttons replace English 'like' buttons on some platforms. The adjective '공감된다' means 'that resonates', a common response when reading posts about shared experiences. Counseling culture in Korea emphasizes '공감' as a core skill.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 공감 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
공감해요.
I empathize/I relate.
공감 가는 얘기예요.
It's a relatable story.
공감 안 돼요.
I can't relate.
Related Expressions
공감대
gonggamdae
common ground/empathetic connection
이해
ihae
understanding
동감
donggam
same feeling/agreement
공감 능력
gonggam neungyeok
empathy ability
More Slang Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Empathy and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
