Nuance Dictionary / Deep Sorrow
먹먹하다 meok-meok-ha-da
Feeling choked up with heavy emotion, unable to speak
What does 먹먹하다 mean?
먹먹하다 (meok-meok-ha-da) means: Feeling choked up with heavy emotion, unable to speak.
This refers to the physical sensation of your chest tightening and your ears feeling blocked (like when you're in an airplane). Emotionally, it's used when a sad movie or a tragic news story hits you so hard that you are stunned into heavy silence.
🎙️ 먹먹하다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [멍머카다]로 소리나요 (격음화, 비음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 슬픈 영화를 보고 나니 가슴이 먹먹해서 아무 말도 할 수 없었다.
seulpeun yeonghwareul bogo nani gaseumi meokmeokhaeseo amu maldo hal su eopseotda.
After watching a sad movie, my chest felt so heavy and choked up I couldn't speak.
💡 Captures the physical sensation of emotional grief or shock. - 친구의 안타까운 소식을 듣고 한동안 마음이 먹먹했다.
chingui antakkaun sosigeul deutgo handongan maeumi meokmeokhaetda.
Hearing the sad news about my friend left me feeling heavy-hearted and speechless for a while.
💡 Used when bad news leaves you mentally blank and tight in the chest. - 뉴스를 보는 내내 가슴이 먹먹해서 아무 말도 할 수 없었다.
nyuseureul boneun naenae gaseumi meokmeokhaeseo amu maldo hal su eopseotda.
My chest felt so choked up the whole time I watched the news that I couldn't say anything.
💡 Used when deeply touched or shocked by sad news.