Korean Dictionary
How to say "Separation anxiety" in Korean
“Separation anxiety” in Korean is 분리 불안 (pronounced "Bunli bulan").
분리 불안
Bunli bulan
Usage & Context
Fear or distress when separated from parents. Separation anxiety is common in young children.
Example Sentence
분리 불안은 어린 아이에게 흔합니다.
Separation anxiety is common in young children.
How to use 분리 불안 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Separation anxiety” is 분리 불안, romanized as Bunli bulan.
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 분리 불안.
Pronunciation Guide
분리 (bun-li) sounds like 'boon' in 'boon-dock' and 'lee' in 'leader'. 불안 (bu-ran) sounds like 'boo' in 'book' and 'ran' in 'random'. The stress is fairly even.
More Example Sentences
A parent observing their child's behavior.
아이가 엄마랑 떨어지면 심하게 울어서 분리 불안인 것 같아요.
The child cries severely when separated from mom, so it seems like separation anxiety.
An adult recalling their childhood experience with daycare.
어린이집에 처음 갈 때 분리 불안이 심해서 적응하기 힘들었어요.
When I first went to daycare, my separation anxiety was severe, so it was hard to adjust.
Discussing separation anxiety in pets.
강아지도 분리 불안을 느낄 수 있다고 해요.
They say even dogs can feel separation anxiety.
Cultural Context
In Korean culture, strong family bonds and parental presence are highly valued, especially for young children. While '분리 불안' is recognized as a normal developmental phase, parents often feel a mix of concern and guilt when their child exhibits it. It's a common topic when discussing adaptation to daycare or kindergarten. Parents might try to ease it by spending more quality time, using transitional objects, or gradually increasing separation time.
Editorial note
We review entries like 분리 불안 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
분리 불안 시기
separation anxiety period
분리 불안 극복하기
overcoming separation anxiety
엄마랑 떨어지기 싫어!
I don't want to be separated from mom!
Related Expressions
애착
aechak
attachment
불안감
bulangam
anxiety (general feeling)
낯가림
natgarim
shyness, stranger anxiety (specifically towards strangers)
엄마 껌딱지
eomma kkeomttakji
mom's sticky glue (colloquial for a child who clings to mom)
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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