Korean Dictionary
How to say "Miserable" in Korean
“Miserable” in Korean is 비참하다 (pronounced "Bichamhada").
비참하다
Bichamhada
Usage & Context
Describes extreme unhappiness or wretchedness. Stronger than simple sadness — implies a sense of humiliation or suffering. Often heard in dramatic K-drama moments when a character hits rock bottom. Quite emotionally intense.
Example Sentence
일이 다 잘못되어서 정말 비참한 하루였어요.
Everything went wrong — it was a truly miserable day.
How to use 비참하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Miserable” is 비참하다, romanized as Bichamhada.
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 비참하다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '비' (bi) like the English word 'bee'. '참' (cham) sounds like 'chum' in 'chum bucket'. '하' (ha) is like 'hah', and '다' (da) is like 'dah'. The stress falls naturally on the second syllable, 'cham'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
비참합니다
Bichamhamnida
This is the formal declarative form, used in very polite or official contexts.
Casual (반말)
비참해
Bichamhae
This is the casual form, used with close friends or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Describing someone's unfortunate life circumstances.
그는 모든 것을 잃고 비참한 삶을 살았어요.
He lost everything and lived a miserable life.
Expressing personal feelings of utter disappointment.
시험에 떨어져서 기분이 너무 비참했어요.
I failed the exam, so I felt so miserable.
Referring to a dramatic, emotionally intense scene in a K-drama.
드라마 주인공이 비참한 상황에 처하자 시청자들이 울었어요.
When the drama's protagonist faced a miserable situation, viewers cried.
Cultural Context
비참하다 is a strong emotional descriptor, often used in K-dramas to highlight a character's rock-bottom moment, emphasizing extreme suffering or humiliation rather than just sadness. It's not a word used lightly in daily conversation; it conveys a deep sense of wretchedness, making it quite impactful when employed.
Editorial note
We review entries like 비참하다 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
비참한 기분
Miserable feeling
비참한 현실
Miserable reality
비참하게 살다
To live miserably
Related Expressions
불쌍하다
Bulssanghada
To be pitiful, pathetic
슬프다
Seulpeuda
To be sad
행복하다
Haengbokhada
To be happy (antonym)
고통스럽다
Gotongseureopda
To be painful, agonizing
More Emotions Words
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