Korean Dictionary
How to say "Touched" in Korean
“Touched” in Korean is 감동받다 (pronounced "Gamdongbatda").
감동받다
Gamdongbatda
Usage & Context
Describes being emotionally moved by something beautiful, kind, or meaningful. 감동이에요 is a high compliment in Korean, often said after a powerful performance or act of kindness. Deeply valued in Korean culture.
Example Sentence
그 영화를 보고 정말 감동받았어요.
I was really touched by that movie.
How to use 감동받다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Touched” is 감동받다, romanized as Gamdongbatda.
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 감동받다.
Pronunciation Guide
감 (Gam) sounds like 'gum' in 'gummy'. 동 (dong) is like 'dong' in 'dongle'. 받 (bat) is like 'bat' in 'baseball bat'. 다 (da) is like 'da' in 'dad'. There's a slight emphasis on '감'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
감동받았어요
Gamdongbadaseoyo
Common polite past tense form, as 'touched' implies a past event.
Casual (반말)
감동받았어
Gamdongbadaseo
Casual past tense form, used among close friends or to subordinates.
More Example Sentences
Describing a celebrity's emotional reaction to fan support.
팬들의 진심 어린 편지에 아이돌이 감동받았어요.
The idol was touched by the fans' heartfelt letters.
Expressing gratitude and emotion for a friend's kindness (slightly more formal).
친구의 따뜻한 마음에 정말 감동받았습니다.
I was truly touched by my friend's warm heart.
Reflecting on a profound emotional experience from media.
그 다큐멘터리를 보고 삶의 소중함을 다시 한번 감동받았어요.
Watching that documentary, I was touched once again by the preciousness of life.
Cultural Context
감동받다 is a highly positive and valued emotional response in Korean culture. It signifies being deeply moved by something beautiful, kind, or inspiring. Saying '감동이에요!' (It's touching!) or '정말 감동받았어요' (I was truly touched) is a sincere compliment, whether it's for a performance, a thoughtful gift, or an act of generosity. It highlights the Korean appreciation for sincerity, effort, and emotional depth, often seen in K-dramas where characters are moved to tears by acts of love or sacrifice.
Editorial note
We review entries like 감동받다 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
감동적인 이야기
A touching story
감동의 눈물
Tears of emotion/being touched
감동했어요
I was touched (polite, common way to say it)
Related Expressions
뭉클하다
Mungkeulhada
To feel a lump in one's throat, to be choked up (similar feeling, often leading to tears)
울컥하다
Ulkeokhada
To well up with emotion, to feel a sudden surge of emotion (often leading to tears)
감동적이다
Gamdongjeogida
To be touching, moving (adjective form describing the event itself)
무감각하다
Mugamgakhada
To be insensitive, numb (antonym, lacking emotion)
More Emotions Words
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