Korean Dictionary
How to say "Nostalgic" in Korean
“Nostalgic” in Korean is 향수를 느끼다 (pronounced "Hyangsureul neukkida").
향수를 느끼다
Hyangsureul neukkida
Usage & Context
Expresses longing for the past. In Korean, 그립다 also captures this feeling of missing something from before. Nostalgia is deeply embedded in Korean culture, frequently appearing in music, poetry, and food memories.
Example Sentence
옛날 노래를 들으니 향수를 느껴요.
Listening to old songs makes me feel nostalgic.
How to use 향수를 느끼다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Nostalgic” is 향수를 느끼다, romanized as Hyangsureul neukkida.
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 향수를 느끼다.
Pronunciation Guide
향수 (hyang-su) sounds like 'hyang' as in 'hang' but with a 'y' sound before the 'a', followed by 'soo' as in 'soon'. 를 (reul) is like 'rule'. 느끼다 (neu-kki-da) has 'neu' like 'new', 'kki' like 'key' but with a tense 'kk' sound, and 'da' like 'dah'. The '향' sound can be tricky for English speakers.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
향수를 느낍니다
Hyangsureul neukkimnida
Standard formal ending for verbs.
Casual (반말)
향수를 느껴
Hyangsureul neukkyeo
Casual '아/어' ending.
More Example Sentences
Feeling homesick or nostalgic while looking at old pictures.
오래된 사진들을 보니 고향에 대한 향수를 느껴요.
Looking at old photos makes me feel nostalgic for my hometown.
Experiencing nostalgia through childhood food.
어릴 적 먹던 과자를 보니 향수를 느꼈다.
Eating the snacks from my childhood made me feel nostalgic.
A movie triggering nostalgic feelings for a past era.
그 영화는 80년대 배경이라 향수를 불러일으켰어요.
That movie, set in the 80s, evoked a sense of nostalgia.
Cultural Context
향수를 느끼다 literally means 'to feel nostalgia.' This emotion is deeply cherished in Korean culture, often evoked by '옛날 노래' (yetnal norae - old songs), childhood memories, or specific foods. K-dramas and movies frequently use nostalgic themes to connect with audiences, portraying simpler times or lost loves. The word '그립다' (geuripda - to miss, to long for) is also very close in meaning and often used interchangeably or alongside '향수를 느끼다' when expressing longing for the past.
Editorial note
We review entries like 향수를 느끼다 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
향수를 불러일으키다
To evoke nostalgia
옛날 생각에 향수를 느껴요.
I feel nostalgic thinking about the old days.
향수병
Homesickness (literally 'nostalgia sickness')
Related Expressions
그립다
Geuripda
To miss, to long for (very similar, often for people/places/times)
추억에 잠기다
Chueoge jamgida
To be lost in memories
옛 생각에 잠기다
Yet saenggage jamgida
To be lost in old thoughts
회상하다
Hoesanghada
To recall, to reminisce
More Emotions Words
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