Nuance Dictionary / Deep Sorrow
울컥하다 ul-keok-ha-da
A sudden, overwhelming surge of emotion that brings tears to your eyes
What does 울컥하다 mean?
울컥하다 (ul-keok-ha-da) means: A sudden, overwhelming surge of emotion that brings tears to your eyes.
This isn't a slow cry; it's an ambush. You might be completely fine, but then you hear a specific song or see an old photo, and the emotion suddenly rises from your stomach to your throat. You '울컥하다'.
◆ The physical threshold of sudden emotion — Not limited to sorrow; it describes the sudden physical rush in the chest when hit by unexpected sadness, gratitude, or deep nostalgia. It is the exact moment before a person starts crying, where the throat tightens and the chest swells.
◆ The physical threshold of sudden emotion — Not limited to sorrow; it describes the sudden physical rush in the chest when hit by unexpected sadness, gratitude, or deep nostalgia. It is the exact moment before a person starts crying, where the throat tightens and the chest swells.
🔊 From part 2’s story
울컥하다 — Ul-keok-ha-da
울지 마 — ul-ji ma, "don't cry"
다 잘 될 거야 — ul-ji ma, da jal doel geo-ya, "Don't cry, everything will be fine"
속상하다 — sok-sang-ha-da, "to feel inwardly bruised, distressed, and heavy-hearted"
울음이 터지다 — ul-eum-i teo-ji-da, "for crying to burst open"
많이 서러웠겠구나 — man-hi seo-reow-eot-gett-gu-na, "You must have felt so deeply wronged"
마음이 참 아프겠네 — ma-eum-i cham a-peu-gett-ne, "Your heart must really be hurting"
별일 아니야 — ul-ji ma, byeol-il a-ni-ya, "Don't cry, it's nothing"
Read the full story → · More on this word (part 2) →
🎙️ 울컥하다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [울커카다]로 소리나요 (격음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 엄마가 만들어주신 김치찌개를 먹는데 갑자기 울컥했다.
eommaga mandeureojusin gimchjjigaereul meokneunde gapjagi ulkeokhaetda.
I suddenly felt a lump in my throat while eating the kimchi stew my mom made.
💡 Triggered instantly by sensory memories or unexpected kindness. - 친구의 진심 어린 축하 메시지를 읽고 울컥해서 눈물이 났다.
chingui jinsim eorin chukhamesijireul ikgo ulkeokhaeseo nunmuri natda.
I got all choked up reading my friend's heartfelt congratulatory message.
💡 Describes a sudden rush of tears you try to hold back. - 지하철에서 우연히 엄마가 보낸 문자를 읽다가 갑자기 울컥해서 눈물이 날 뻔했다.
jihacheol-eseo uyeonhi eomma-ga bonaen munja-reul ik-da-ga gapjagi ulkeok-haeseo nunmuri nal ppeon-haet-da.
I was reading a text my mom sent while on the subway and suddenly choked up, almost bursting into tears.
💡 Describes a sudden, physical surge of emotion in your chest that threatens to make you cry.