울다 (ul-da, ulda) · 눈물나다 (nun-mul-na-da, nunmulnada)
‘울다’ directly expresses the act of crying emotionally, while ‘눈물나다’ describes the physical phenomenon of tears appearing.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
The act of expressing emotions by making sounds or shedding tears
When to use
Expressing emotions, Human subject, May include sound or sobbing
The nuance
‘울다’ primarily means expressing strong emotions by making sounds or shedding tears, used only with human subjects.
The physical phenomenon of tears coming out of the eyes
When to use
Tears occurrence, Human/animal/situation subject, May be unrelated to emotion
The nuance
‘눈물나다’ describes the state of tears flowing from the eyes and can be used for humans, animals, or situations.
나는 어제 영화 보고 많이 울었어.
na-neun eo-je yeong-hwa bo-go man-i ul-eoss-eo., na neun eo je yeong hwa bo go man i ul eoss eo.
‘울다’ fits as an emotional expression with a human subject, making this sentence natural.
눈에서 눈물이 나서 안경이 젖었어.
nun-e-seo nun-mul-i na-seo an-gyeong-i jeoj-eoss-eo., nun e seo nun mul i na seo an gyeong i jeoj eoss eo.
‘눈물나다’ correctly describes the physical occurrence of tears causing glasses to get wet.
강아지가 울고 있어요.
gang-a-ji-ga ul-go iss-eo-yo., gang a ji ga ul go iss eo yo.
‘울다’ is used only for humans; for dogs, ‘짖다’ (bark) is appropriate.
감동받아서 눈물이 났어요.
gam-dong-bat-a-seo nun-mul-i nass-eo-yo., gam dong bat a seo nun mul i nass eo yo.
‘눈물나다’ suits describing physical tears resulting from emotions.
나는 눈물이 났지만 울지 않았어.
na-neun nun-mul-i nass-ji-man ul-ji an-ass-eo., na neun nun mul i nass ji man ul ji an ass eo.
It’s natural to say tears appeared without crying out loud, distinguishing ‘눈물나다’ from ‘울다’.
아기가 울음이 났어요.
a-gi-ga ul-eum-i nass-eo-yo., a gi ga ul eum i nass eo yo.
‘울음이 나다’ is incorrect; use ‘울다’ or ‘울음이 터지다’ instead.
눈물 나서 코가 막혔어요.
nun-mul na-seo ko-ga mak-hyeoss-eo-yo., nun mul na seo ko ga mak hyeoss eo yo.
‘눈물나다’ properly describes tears causing a physical reaction like nasal congestion.
슬퍼서 눈물이 났지만 울지 않았어요.
seul-peo-seo nun-mul-i nass-ji-man ul-ji an-ass-eo-yo., seul peo seo nun mul i nass ji man ul ji an ass eo yo.
Tears appeared but no crying sounds were made, fitting the distinction.
In which sentence should you use ‘울다’?
When should you use ‘눈물나다’?
Which sentence is incorrect?
