Korean Dictionary
How to say "Insecure" in Korean
“Insecure” in Korean is 불안정하다 (pronounced "Buranjeonghada").
불안정하다
Buranjeonghada
Usage & Context
Describes emotional or psychological insecurity. Common in discussions about relationships and self-esteem among Korean youth. Social media culture in Korea has increased conversations about feeling 불안정한 (insecure) about appearance or status.
Example Sentence
다른 사람들과 비교할 때마다 불안정한 느낌이 들어요.
I feel insecure every time I compare myself to others.
How to use 불안정하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Insecure” is 불안정하다, romanized as Buranjeonghada.
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 불안정하다.
Pronunciation Guide
The word is pronounced 'Boo-ran-jeong-ha-da'. '부' (bu) sounds like 'boo' in 'boo!', '란' (ran) like 'ran' in 'ran a race', '정' (jeong) like 'jung' in 'jungle', '하' (ha) like 'ha' in 'haha', and '다' (da) like 'da' in 'dad'. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on 'jeong'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
불안정합니다
Buranjeonghamnida
This is the formal polite form, often used in presentations, news, or when speaking to superiors.
Casual (반말)
불안정해
Buranjeonghae
This is the casual form, used among close friends or family.
More Example Sentences
Discussing feelings when adjusting to a new place or situation.
새로운 환경에서는 누구나 좀 불안정하게 느낄 수 있어요.
In a new environment, anyone can feel a bit insecure.
Describing someone's emotional state regarding career or life path.
그는 자신의 미래에 대해 불안정한 감정을 가지고 있었다.
He had insecure feelings about his future.
Reflecting on the impact of social media on self-esteem.
SNS를 보면 다른 사람들과 비교하게 돼서 더 불안정해지는 것 같아요.
When I look at social media, I compare myself to others and feel more insecure.
Cultural Context
In Korean society, especially among younger generations, there's a growing awareness and discussion around mental health, including feelings of insecurity. The pressure to conform, succeed, and present a perfect image on social media (like Instagram or KakaoTalk profiles) can exacerbate these feelings. K-dramas often explore characters dealing with self-doubt and '불안정한' emotions, making it a relatable theme.
Editorial note
We review entries like 불안정하다 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
불안정한 상태
Insecure state
불안정한 감정
Insecure feelings
정서적으로 불안정하다
Emotionally insecure
Related Expressions
자신감이 없다
Jasinsami eopda
Lacks confidence
불안하다
Buranhada
Anxious, uneasy
안정적이다
Anjeongjeogida
Stable, secure (antonym)
자신감 있다
Jasinsam itda
Confident (antonym)
More Emotions Words
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