Korean Dictionary
How to say "Stress" in Korean
“Stress” in Korean is 스트레스 (pronounced "Seuteureseu").
스트레스
Seuteureseu
Usage & Context
Mental or emotional pressure. 스트레스 받다 (to receive/get stress) is the common expression. Koreans experience high stress from work, academic pressure, and social expectations. Stress relief (스트레스 해소) through eating, singing (노래방), and socializing is a major part of Korean culture.
Example Sentence
요즘 스트레스가 너무 많이 쌓였어요.
I've been accumulating a lot of stress lately.
How to use 스트레스 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Stress” is 스트레스, romanized as Seuteureseu.
Usage tip
Practice this word inside a full daily-life sentence, because particles and sentence endings make the Korean sound natural.
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 스트레스.
Pronunciation Guide
스 (seu) sounds like 'soo' but with a very light 's' and a 'u' like in 'put'. 트 (teu) is similar, like 'too' with a light 't'. 레 (re) sounds like 'reh' as in 'red'. 스 (seu) is the same as the first syllable. The 'eu' vowel is a short, unrounded sound, often described as a flat 'uh'.
More Example Sentences
Suggesting a common stress-relief activity to a friend.
스트레스 풀러 노래방 갈까?
Shall we go to a noraebang to relieve stress?
A student complaining about intense academic pressure.
시험 기간이라 스트레스가 이만저만이 아니에요.
It's exam season, so my stress is no joke.
Advising someone to relax and take care of themselves.
스트레스 받지 말고 푹 쉬세요.
Don't get stressed, and get plenty of rest.
Cultural Context
스트레스 (seuteureseu) is a widely used loanword in Korean, and the phrase '스트레스 받다' (to receive/get stress) is extremely common. Koreans often experience high levels of stress from work, academic competition, and societal expectations. Consequently, '스트레스 해소' (stress relief) is a significant aspect of daily life, often involving group activities like singing at a noraebang, eating comfort food, or socializing with friends and colleagues.
Editorial note
We review entries like 스트레스 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
스트레스 풀다
to relieve stress
스트레스 쌓이다
stress accumulates
스트레스성
stress-induced (e.g., 스트레스성 탈모 - stress-induced hair loss)
Related Expressions
스트레스 받다
seuteureseu batda
to get/receive stress
스트레스 해소
seuteureseu haeso
stress relief
압박감
appakgam
pressure, sense of pressure
피로
piro
fatigue, tiredness
More Daily Life Words
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