Nuance Dictionary / Overwhelm & Struggle
고달프다 go-dal-peu-da
Weary and worn down by a long hardship or grind
What does 고달프다 mean?
고달프다 (go-dal-peu-da) means: Weary and worn down by a long hardship or grind.
A more literary, weathered word than '힘들다' — it carries the sense of a life that has been hard for a long time, not just today. It's the word for a life story, not a bad Tuesday.
How it's actually used
- 물가도 오르고 살림살이가 참 고달프네.
mulgado oreugo sallimsariga cham godalpeune.
Prices are rising and making ends meet is getting so weary and tough.
💡 Expresses a weathered, prolonged life fatigue. - 고달픈 하루 끝에 마시는 맥주 한 잔이 낙이다.
godalpeun haru kkeute masineun maekju han jani nagida.
A cold beer at the end of a weary, grinding day is my only joy.
💡 Often paired with daily hardships to highlight solace. - 물가는 계속 오르고 내 월급만 그대로라 팍팍한 세상살이가 참고달프다.
mulganeun gyesok oreugo nae wolgeumnman geudaerora pakpakan sesangsaliga chamgodalpeuda.
Prices keep rising while my salary stays the same, and this harsh way of living makes life feel so weary.
💡 A slightly weathered, reflective word used to describe a long, grinding hardship in life.
Related words in Overwhelm & Struggle
진땀나다 jin-ttam-na-da안간힘을 쓰다 an-gan-him-eul sseu-da눈코 뜰 새 없다 nun-ko tteul sae eop-da기진맥진하다 gi-jin-maek-jin-ha-da버겁다 beo-geop-da