Korean Dictionary
How to say "Melancholy" in Korean
“Melancholy” in Korean is 우수에 젖다 (pronounced "Usue jeokda").
우수에 젖다
Usue jeokda
Usage & Context
A deep, reflective sadness with a poetic quality. Common in Korean literature and music. Autumn is especially associated with 우수 (melancholy) in Korean culture, often appearing in seasonal poetry and songs.
Example Sentence
가을이 되면 왠지 우수에 젖게 돼요.
When autumn comes, I somehow fall into melancholy.
How to use 우수에 젖다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Melancholy” is 우수에 젖다, romanized as Usue jeokda.
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 우수에 젖다.
Pronunciation Guide
우수 (Usu) sounds like "Oo-soo," with "Oo" as in 'moon' and "soo" as in 'suit'. 에 (e) is pronounced like "eh" in 'bed'. 젖다 (jeotda) is "jeot-da," where "jeot" is like 'jot' (as in 'jot down') with a soft, unreleased 't' sound, and "da" like 'dah'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
우수에 젖어요 / 우수에 젖습니다
Usue jeojeoyo / Usue jeotseumnida
Standard polite forms for verbs.
Casual (반말)
우수에 젖어
Usue jeojeo
Casual form for verbs.
More Example Sentences
Observing someone's mood and habits.
그녀는 비 오는 날이면 늘 우수에 젖어 있었다.
She was always steeped in melancholy on rainy days.
Reflecting on media and its emotional impact.
오래된 흑백 영화를 보니 왠지 모르게 우수에 젖네요.
Watching an old black and white movie, I somehow feel melancholic.
Describing the emotional quality of artistic expression.
그 가수의 목소리에는 깊은 우수에 젖은 감성이 담겨 있어요.
That singer's voice carries a deep, melancholic sensibility.
Cultural Context
우수에 젖다 often evokes a poetic, reflective sadness, distinct from simple sadness (슬프다). It's deeply associated with autumn (가을), a season frequently depicted in Korean poetry, songs, and dramas as a time for introspection and a gentle, beautiful melancholy. You'll often hear phrases like '가을 타다' (to get the autumn blues) which shares a similar sentiment. It's not a debilitating sadness but a contemplative one, often seen as a sign of sensitivity.
Editorial note
We review entries like 우수에 젖다 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
우수에 젖은 눈빛
Melancholy gaze
우수에 젖은 목소리
Melancholy voice
우수에 젖은 가을밤
Melancholy autumn night
Related Expressions
슬프다
Seulpeuda
Sad (general)
쓸쓸하다
Sseulsseulhada
Lonely, desolate (often with a touch of melancholy)
감상적이다
Gamsangjeogida
Sentimental
가을 타다
Gaeul tada
To get the autumn blues (idiomatic, related to seasonal melancholy)
More Emotions Words
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