눈물나다 (nun-mul-na-da, nunmulnada) · 울다 (ul-da, ulda)
눈물나다 refers to tears coming out of the eyes, while 울다 means expressing emotions by crying with tears.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Expression indicating tears flowing from the eyes
When to use
When moved emotionally, When eyes are irritated, Tears without active crying
The nuance
Used when tears come out due to strong emotions or irritation; can be used even if the person is not actively crying.
To express emotions by crying with tears and often sounds or actions
When to use
Actively expressing emotions, When sad, When joyful
The nuance
Used when actively expressing emotions like sadness or joy, always accompanied by tears.
영화를 보고 눈물이 났어요.
yeong-hwa-reul bo-go nun-mul-i nass-eo-yo., yeong hwa reul bo go nun mul i nass eo yo.
Tears came naturally due to being moved, so '눈물이 났어요' is appropriate.
영화를 보고 울었어요.
yeong-hwa-reul bo-go ul-eoss-eo-yo., yeong hwa reul bo go ul eoss eo yo.
Actively expressing emotions by crying, so '울었어요' is correct.
눈물이 울었어요.
nun-mul-i ul-eoss-eo-yo., nun mul i ul eoss eo yo.
Combination of '눈물' and '울다' is unnatural; should use '눈물이 났어요' or '울었어요' instead.
눈물이 나서 눈이 아파요.
nun-mul-i na-seo nun-i a-pa-yo., nun mul i na seo nun i a pa yo.
Appropriate for situation where eyes are irritated and tears come out.
슬퍼서 눈물이 났어요.
seul-peo-seo nun-mul-i nass-eo-yo., seul peo seo nun mul i nass eo yo.
Used to express tears coming out due to sadness.
슬퍼서 울었어요.
seul-peo-seo ul-eoss-eo-yo., seul peo seo ul eoss eo yo.
Appropriate because crying actively expresses sadness.
눈물이 울었어요.
nun-mul-i ul-eoss-eo-yo., nun mul i ul eoss eo yo.
'눈물이 울다' is grammatically incorrect.
기뻐서 눈물이 났어요.
gi-ppeo-seo nun-mul-i nass-eo-yo., gi ppeo seo nun mul i nass eo yo.
Indicates tears flowing due to joy.
Which sentence correctly uses '눈물나다'?
Which sentence should use '울다'?
Which sentence is incorrect?
