Korean Dictionary
How to say "Grief" in Korean
“Grief” in Korean is 슬픔 (pronounced "seulpeum").
슬픔
seulpeum
Usage & Context
Grief is deep sorrow from loss, especially the death of a loved one. Korean mourning rituals and the concept of 한 (han) reflect a culturally unique way of processing 슬픔 and collective grief.
Example Sentence
소중한 사람을 잃은 후 슬픔을 제대로 처리해야 한다.
After losing a loved one, grief must be properly processed.
How to use 슬픔 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Grief” is 슬픔, romanized as seulpeum.
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 슬픔.
Pronunciation Guide
'슬픔' (seulpeum) is pronounced 'sull-peum'. 'Sull' is like 'sullen' without the 'en'. 'Peum' is similar to 'plum' but with a slightly more rounded 'eu' vowel sound, almost like 'pum' in 'pumice'. The syllables are pronounced evenly.
More Example Sentences
Someone expressing deep personal sorrow.
할머니를 잃은 슬픔은 말로 다 표현할 수 없어요.
The grief of losing my grandmother is beyond words.
Describing a national tragedy and collective mourning.
온 국민이 세월호 참사의 슬픔을 함께 나누었습니다.
The entire nation shared the grief of the Sewol Ferry tragedy.
Advice on coping with loss.
슬픔을 억누르기보다는 건강하게 표현하는 것이 중요해요.
It's important to express grief in a healthy way rather than suppressing it.
Cultural Context
'슬픔' is a universal emotion, but in Korea, it's often viewed through the lens of '한 (han)', a profound, complex emotion often described as a deep, collective sorrow, resentment, or unresolved grief accumulated over generations due to historical injustices and suffering. Korean mourning rituals (장례식, jangryesik) are typically communal and elaborate, emphasizing shared sorrow and support for the bereaved. This cultural context gives '슬픔' a unique depth, often explored in historical narratives, literature, and K-dramas, reflecting a collective experience of enduring hardship.
Editorial note
We review entries like 슬픔 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
슬픔에 잠기다
to be immersed in grief
슬픔을 극복하다
to overcome grief
슬픔을 나누다
to share grief
Related Expressions
비애
bi-ae
sorrow, grief (more literary/poetic)
상실감
sangsillgam
sense of loss
애도
aedo
mourning, condolence
기쁨
gippeum
joy, happiness
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