What it means
The feeling of being treated unfairly, being wrongly blamed, or suffering consequences you did not deserve. A deeply felt sense of injustice combined with frustration.
Nuance & when to use
Very common and emotionally loaded in Korean. Often heard as 억울해! (This is so unfair!). Implies both the injustice and the helpless frustration of not being able to fix it.
⚠ Common mistake
Translating as simply "sad" or "angry." 억울하다 specifically means wronged or unjustly treated — it requires a sense of unfairness.
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
Very common and emotionally loaded in Korean. Often heard as 억울해! (This is so unfair!). Implies both the injustice and the helpless frustration of not being able to fix it.
What's a common mistake?
Translating as simply "sad" or "angry." 억울하다 specifically means wronged or unjustly treated — it requires a sense of unfairness.
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