Korean Dictionary
How to say "Somber" in Korean
“Somber” in Korean is 침울하다 (pronounced "Chimulhada").
침울하다
Chimulhada
Usage & Context
Describes a serious, subdued mood without lightness. Used in solemn situations like funerals, after tragedies, or in grave conversations. More weighty and formal than simple sadness. Common in Korean news reporting on serious events.
Example Sentence
그 소식을 들은 후 모두의 표정이 침울해졌어요.
After hearing that news, everyone's expression became somber.
How to use 침울하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Somber” is 침울하다, romanized as Chimulhada.
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 침울하다.
Pronunciation Guide
침 (Chim) sounds like 'chim' in 'chimney'. 울 (ul) sounds like 'ool' in 'cool'. 하 (ha) is like 'ha' in 'haha'. 다 (da) is like 'da' in 'dad'. The '침울' part has a heavy, almost mournful sound.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
침울합니다
Chimulhamnida
Standard formal ending for descriptive verbs.
Casual (반말)
침울해
Chimulae
Standard casual ending for descriptive verbs.
More Example Sentences
Describing a tense, serious meeting.
회의실 분위기가 너무 침울해서 아무도 말을 꺼내지 못했어요.
The atmosphere in the meeting room was so somber that no one could speak up.
Someone dealing with bad news.
그는 실직 소식을 듣고 며칠 동안 침울하게 지냈다.
After hearing the news of losing his job, he spent several days in a somber mood.
Describing the atmosphere at a funeral.
장례식장은 침울한 정적으로 가득했다.
The funeral hall was filled with somber silence.
Cultural Context
침울하다 describes a deep, heavy, and often prolonged state of sadness or seriousness, more profound than just 'sad.' It's typically used for situations involving loss, grief, or very grave circumstances. You'll hear it in news reports about tragedies, or when describing the mood at funerals or during difficult discussions. It implies a lack of cheerfulness and a sense of gravity.
Editorial note
We review entries like 침울하다 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
침울한 분위기
Somber atmosphere
침울한 표정
Somber expression
침울해지다
To become somber
Related Expressions
우울하다
Uulhada
Depressed, gloomy (more general sadness)
슬프다
Seulpeuda
Sad (more direct, less heavy)
비통하다
Bitonghada
Grieved, sorrowful (stronger, often for deep loss)
명랑하다
Myeongnanghada
Cheerful, bright (antonym)
More Emotions Words
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