Korean Dictionary
How to say "Moved" in Korean
“Moved” in Korean is 뭉클하다 (pronounced "Mungkeulhada").
뭉클하다
Mungkeulhada
Usage & Context
A distinctly Korean word describing that tender, almost-tearful feeling when something deeply moves you emotionally. Used for touching movie moments, unexpected kindness, or reunion scenes. More intense than 감동받다 — implies being choked up.
Example Sentence
그 편지를 읽고 가슴이 뭉클했어요.
Reading that letter made me feel deeply moved.
How to use 뭉클하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Moved” is 뭉클하다, romanized as Mungkeulhada.
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 뭉클하다.
Pronunciation Guide
'Mung' sounds like 'moong' in 'moon' but with a 'ng' at the end. 'Keul' sounds like 'kool' but with a softer 'k' and a 'eu' vowel sound, like 'kuhl'. 'Ha' is like 'ha' in 'haha', and 'da' is like 'dah' in 'dah-ling'. The stress is fairly even.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
뭉클합니다
Mungkeulhamnida
Formal declarative form, used in polite and respectful situations.
Casual (반말)
뭉클해
Mungkeulhae
Casual declarative form, used with close friends or subordinates.
More Example Sentences
Watching an emotional film.
감동적인 영화를 보고 가슴이 뭉클했어요.
My heart felt deeply moved after watching a touching movie.
A reunion with loved ones.
오랜만에 만난 가족들을 보니 뭉클한 기분이 들었다.
Seeing my family after a long time made me feel deeply moved.
Responding to a heartfelt declaration.
그의 진심 어린 고백에 뭉클함을 느꼈다.
I felt deeply moved by his sincere confession.
Cultural Context
'뭉클하다' is a uniquely nuanced Korean emotion. While '감동받다' (gamdongbatda) means 'to be moved/impressed,' '뭉클하다' describes a more specific, tender, and often tear-inducing feeling in the chest, like a lump in the throat. It's that moment when you're almost choked up by unexpected kindness, a poignant memory, or a deeply touching scene in a K-drama. It implies a profound emotional resonance that goes beyond mere impression.
Editorial note
We review entries like 뭉클하다 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
가슴이 뭉클하다
one's heart feels deeply moved
뭉클한 감동
a deeply moving impression/emotion
뭉클한 이야기
a touching story
Related Expressions
감동받다
Gamdongbatda
to be moved/impressed (broader, less intense)
울컥하다
Ulkeokhada
to feel a lump in one's throat/to well up (very similar, often used when tears are imminent)
가슴이 찡하다
Gaseumi jjinghada
to feel a pang in one's heart (similar, often for sad or touching moments)
무감각하다
Mugamgakhada
to be insensitive/numb (antonym)
More Emotions Words
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