Korean Dictionary
How to say "Indifferent" in Korean
“Indifferent” in Korean is 무관심하다 (pronounced "Mugwansimhada").
무관심하다
Mugwansimhada
Usage & Context
Describes emotional detachment or lack of interest. Can be used positively (healthy detachment) or negatively (cold apathy). In Korean relationships, 무관심 from a partner is considered particularly hurtful.
Example Sentence
그 사람이 제 말에 무관심해서 상처받았어요.
I was hurt by that person's indifference to what I said.
How to use 무관심하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Indifferent” is 무관심하다, romanized as Mugwansimhada.
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 무관심하다.
Pronunciation Guide
The word is pronounced 'Moo-gwan-sim-ha-da'. '무' (mu) sounds like 'moo' in 'moo cow', '관' (gwan) like 'gwan' in 'guanaco', '심' (sim) like 'shim' in 'shimmy', '하' (ha) like 'ha' in 'haha', and '다' (da) like 'da' in 'dad'. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on 'gwan'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
무관심합니다
Mugwansimhamnida
This is the formal polite form, used in formal speech or writing.
Casual (반말)
무관심해
Mugwansimhae
This is the casual form, used among close friends or family.
More Example Sentences
Describing someone's lack of interest in political matters.
그는 정치에 대해 완전히 무관심했다.
He was completely indifferent to politics.
Discussing the negative impact of parental neglect.
아이가 부모의 무관심 속에서 자랐다.
The child grew up amidst parental indifference.
Expressing concern about public apathy towards social issues.
사람들이 환경 문제에 너무 무관심한 것 같아 걱정이에요.
I'm worried that people are too indifferent to environmental issues.
Cultural Context
'무관심하다' describes a lack of interest or concern. In Korean relationships, whether romantic or familial, '무관심' from a partner or family member can be deeply hurtful, as it implies a lack of care or emotional connection. It's often seen as worse than anger, as anger at least shows some form of engagement.
Editorial note
We review entries like 무관심하다 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
무관심한 태도
An indifferent attitude
사회적 무관심
Social indifference
무관심으로 일관하다
To consistently show indifference
Related Expressions
관심이 없다
Gwansimi eopda
To have no interest
냉담하다
Naengdamhada
Cold, aloof, indifferent (stronger, more negative)
관심을 가지다
Gwansimeul gajida
To show interest (antonym)
신경 쓰다
Singyeong sseuda
To care about, to pay attention (antonym)
More Emotions Words
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