Nuance Dictionary / Complex Emotions
뭉클하다 mung-keul-ha-da
A heart-swelling feeling of being touched or moved
What does 뭉클하다 mean?
뭉클하다 (mung-keul-ha-da) means: A heart-swelling feeling of being touched or moved.
The warm pressure in your chest right before you might tear up — watching an old, tired parent proudly show off their kid's photo to strangers is exactly this feeling. It's happy and a little sad at once, but softer and warmer than '시원섭섭하다'.
How it's actually used
- 엄마가 끓여주신 된장찌개를 먹는데 갑자기 마음이 뭉클해졌어.
eommaga kklhyeojusin doenjangjjigaereokneunde gapjagi maeumi mungkeuhaejyeosseo.
Eating the soybean paste stew my mom made suddenly made my heart swell with emotion.
💡 Often used when feeling a warm, sudden wave of emotion from simple comforts. - 내셔널지오그래픽에서 아기 펭귄이 바다로 나가는 걸 보는데 너무 뭉클하더라고.
naesyeonaljiogeuraeseo agi pengguini badaro naneun geol boneunde neomu mungkeuhadeorago.
Watching the baby penguins head out to the sea on National Geographic touched my heart so much.
💡 Great for describing being moved by pure, sincere moments in nature or media. - 고생했다고 건네준 딸의 서툰 편지를 읽고 나니 마음 한구석이 뭉클했다.
gosaenghaetdago geonnejun taryi seotun pyeonjireul ikgo nani maeum hanguseogi mungkeulhaetda.
My heart swelled with a touching warmth after reading the clumsy letter my daughter handed me, saying she knew I worked hard.
💡 Use when someone's sincere gesture unexpectedly brings tears to your eyes.
Related words in Complex Emotions
씁쓸하다 sseup-sseul-ha-da시원섭섭하다 si-won-seop-seop-ha-da애매하다 ae-mae-ha-da만감이 교차하다 man-gam-i gyo-cha-ha-da착잡하다 chak-jap-ha-da