Nuance Dictionary / Absurdity & Shock
어이없다 eo-i-eop-da
To be completely dumbfounded by something absurd or ridiculous
What does 어이없다 mean?
어이없다 (eo-i-eop-da) means: To be completely dumbfounded by something absurd or ridiculous.
When a situation is so illogical or ridiculous that you actually let out a dry laugh. If someone steals your wallet and then asks you for bus money, you don't even get angry immediately; you are just '어이없다'.
🎙️ 어이없다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [어이업따]로 소리나요 (경음화, 자음군단순화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 아니, 자기가 잘못해 놓고 화를 내니까 진짜 어이가 없네.
ani, jagiga jalmothae noko hwareul naenikka jinjja eoiga eomne.
Seriously, I'm completely dumbfounded that he's getting mad when it was his fault.
💡 Often used with a dry laugh or expression of disbelief. - 가게에 잠깐 들어갔다 나온 사이에 자전거를 훔쳐 가다니 너무 어이없어.
gage-e jamkan deureogassda naon saie jajeongereul humchyeo gadani neomu eo-ieopseo.
It's just absurd that someone stole my bicycle in the short time I stepped into a shop.
💡 Describes a situation so illogical it makes you speechless. - 아니, 사과하기는커녕 적반하장으로 화를 내니까 진짜 어이가 없더라고.
Ani, sagwahagineun keonyeo jeokbanhajar-euro hwareul naenika jinjja eoi-ga eopdeorago.
Seriously, I was completely dumbfounded because instead of apologizing, they turned it around and got mad at me.
💡 Used when someone's shameless behavior leaves you speechless.