Korean Dictionary
How to say "Jealous" in Korean
“Jealous” in Korean is 질투하다 (pronounced "Jiltuhada").
질투하다
Jiltuhada
Usage & Context
Describes jealousy, especially in romantic relationships. Koreans distinguish between 질투 (jealousy over someone else's attention) and 부러움 (envy of someone's achievements). 질투나! is a casual way to say 'I'm jealous!'
Example Sentence
남자친구가 다른 여자와 얘기하는 걸 보고 질투났어요.
I got jealous seeing my boyfriend talk with another woman.
How to use 질투하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Jealous” is 질투하다, romanized as Jiltuhada.
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 질투하다.
Pronunciation Guide
"질투하다" is pronounced "JIL-too-HAH-dah." "질" sounds like "Jill," "투" like "too" in "too much," "하" like "ha" in "haha," and "다" like "dah" in "dahling." The main stresses are on "질" and "하."
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
질투합니다
Jiltuhamnida
Formal and polite form, used in more respectful contexts.
Casual (반말)
질투해
Jiltuhae
Casual form, used with close friends or in informal situations.
More Example Sentences
Expressing mild envy or jealousy to a close friend.
네가 새 차를 사서 좀 질투나.
I'm a bit jealous that you bought a new car.
Describing someone's personality trait in a relationship.
그는 여자친구의 친구들에게 질투하는 경향이 있어요.
He tends to get jealous of his girlfriend's friends.
Reassuring someone who is showing signs of jealousy.
질투하지 마! 그냥 동료일 뿐이야.
Don't be jealous! They're just colleagues.
Cultural Context
In Korean, 질투하다 (jiltuhada) specifically refers to jealousy, often in romantic contexts or when someone feels threatened by another's attention or success. It's important to distinguish it from 부러워하다 (bureowohada), which means 'to envy' someone's possessions, achievements, or good fortune without the negative, possessive, or resentful connotation of 질투. K-dramas frequently feature characters experiencing intense 질투, leading to dramatic misunderstandings or conflicts.
Editorial note
We review entries like 질투하다 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
질투나다
To feel jealous (idiomatic expression)
질투심이 많다
To be very jealous
질투하지 마
Don't be jealous
Related Expressions
부러워하다
Bureowohada
To envy (without negative connotation)
시기하다
Sigihada
To be envious/jealous (stronger, more negative than 질투하다)
질투심
Jiltusim
Jealousy (noun)
시기심
Sigisim
Envy (noun, stronger and often implies ill will)
More Emotions Words
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