Korean Dictionary
How to say "Lonely" in Korean
“Lonely” in Korean is 외롭다 (pronounced "Oeropda").
외롭다
Oeropda
Usage & Context
Describes emotional loneliness rather than just physical solitude. Frequently appears in Korean songs, poems, and dramas. The phrase 외로워요 is a common, heartfelt expression of loneliness often heard in emotional K-drama scenes.
Example Sentence
혼자 사니까 가끔 너무 외로워요.
Living alone, I sometimes feel very lonely.
How to use 외롭다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Lonely” is 외롭다, romanized as Oeropda.
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 외롭다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'weh-rop-da' — 'oe' sounds like 'weh' (as in 'web' without the 'b'), 'rop' rhymes with 'rope' cut short, and 'da' ends flat.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
외롭습니다
oeropseumnida
Formal declarative form used in formal writing or speech
Casual (반말)
외로워
oerowo
Casual form used to share feelings with close friends
More Example Sentences
talking about moving away from home
타지에서 혼자 사니까 외로워요.
I feel lonely living alone in a new city.
complaining to a close friend
친구들이 다 바빠서 좀 외롭네요.
My friends are all busy, so I feel a bit lonely.
discussing holidays spent alone
명절에 가족이 없으면 외로워요.
Holidays are lonely without family.
Cultural Context
외롭다 expresses emotional loneliness — a felt lack of connection — while 혼자 (honja) simply means 'alone' without the emotional weight. Koreans often bring up 외로움 (loneliness) when discussing living alone (혼자 살다) or being far from family, especially during holidays like 추석 or 설날. It's a staple emotion in K-ballads.
Editorial note
We review entries like 외롭다 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
너무 외로워요.
I'm so lonely.
외로운 밤
A lonely night
외로움을 느껴요.
I feel loneliness.
Related Expressions
쓸쓸하다
sseulsseulhada
to be lonely / desolate (more poetic)
혼자
honja
alone
그립다
geuripda
to miss (someone)
외로움
oeroum
loneliness (noun)
More Emotions Words
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