웃다 (us-da, usda) · 웃음나다 (us-eum-na-da, useumnada)
'웃다' describes a person actively laughing, while '웃음나다' expresses laughter arising naturally as an emotion or phenomenon.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A person actively laughing by moving their face
When to use
Person laughing directly, Reacting to humor, Laughing in photos, Laughing during conversation
The nuance
Used when the subject is a person or personified entity actively performing the action of laughing.
Laughter as an emotion or phenomenon naturally arises
When to use
Laughter arising from a situation, Laughter at funny words, Laughter caused by atmosphere, Laughter as emotional expression
The nuance
Used when the subject can be a person, situation, atmosphere, or words causing laughter to arise naturally; emphasizes laughter as a result or phenomenon, not an active subject action.
나는 친구 농담에 크게 웃었다.
na-neun chin-gu nong-dam-e keu-ge us-eoss-da., na neun chin gu nong dam e keu ge us eoss da.
The subject is a person (I) actively laughing, so '웃다' is correct.
그 이야기를 듣고 웃음이 났다.
geu i-ya-gi-reul deut-go us-eum-i nass-da., geu i ya gi reul deut go us eum i nass da.
Expresses laughter arising naturally as an emotion, so '웃음나다' is correct.
사진 찍을 때 모두 웃음났다.
sa-jin jjik-eul ttae mo-du us-eum-nass-da., sa jin jjik eul ttae mo du us eum nass da.
Taking a photo involves active laughing, so '웃다' should be used.
그 분위기 때문에 웃음이 났다.
geu bun-wi-gi ttae-mun-e us-eum-i nass-da., geu bun wi gi ttae mun e us eum i nass da.
The atmosphere causes laughter naturally, so '웃음나다' is appropriate.
그녀가 웃음났다.
geu-nyeo-ga us-eum-nass-da., geu nyeo ga us eum nass da.
A person actively laughing requires '웃다'; '웃음나다' is inappropriate here.
농담에 모두가 웃었다.
nong-dam-e mo-du-ga us-eoss-da., nong dam e mo du ga us eoss da.
People actively laughing is described, so '웃다' is correct.
그 말에 웃음이 났다.
geu mal-e us-eum-i nass-da., geu mal e us eum i nass da.
Laughter arising naturally from words fits '웃음나다'.
나는 웃음났다.
na-neun us-eum-nass-da., na neun us eum nass da.
Active laughing by a person requires '웃다'; '웃음나다' is awkward here.
Which word correctly expresses a person actively laughing at a friend's joke?
Which word is appropriate to express laughter naturally arising from the atmosphere?
Complete: Everyone ___ when taking a photo.
Complete: After hearing that story, ___ happened.
