웃다(us-da, usda)
To show a smile or laughter because of happiness or joy
When to use
When happy, Reacting to a joke, Feeling good
The nuance
Use when expressing positive or joyful emotions. Not related to sadness or pain.
웃다 vs 울다: Differences in Expressing Emotions
웃다 (us-da, usda) · 울다 (ul-da, ulda)
웃다 (ut-da) and 울다 (ul-da) express opposite emotions: laughter and crying.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
울다(ul-da, ulda)
To shed tears and make sounds due to sadness or pain
When to use
When sad, When in pain, Tears from emotion
The nuance
Use when expressing negative or painful emotions. Not related to happiness or joy.
Real-world examples
그녀가 농담을 듣고 크게 웃었다.
geu-nyeo-ga nong-dam-eul deut-go keu-ge us-eoss-da., geu nyeo ga nong dam eul deut go keu ge us eoss da.
웃다 is appropriate to express joy here.
그는 슬픈 영화를 보고 웃었다.
geu-neun seul-peun yeong-hwa-reul bo-go us-eoss-da., geu neun seul peun yeong hwa reul bo go us eoss da.
Laughing at a sad situation is inappropriate; 울다 should be used.
아기가 배가 아파서 울고 있다.
a-gi-ga bae-ga a-pa-seo ul-go iss-da., a gi ga bae ga a pa seo ul go iss da.
울다 fits expressing pain.
아기가 배가 아파서 웃고 있다.
a-gi-ga bae-ga a-pa-seo us-go iss-da., a gi ga bae ga a pa seo us go iss da.
Laughing due to stomach pain is illogical; 울다 is correct.
친구와 만나서 기뻐서 웃었다.
chin-gu-wa man-na-seo gi-ppeo-seo us-eoss-da., chin gu wa man na seo gi ppeo seo us eoss da.
Appropriate to express joy with 웃다.
친구와 만나서 기뻐서 울었다.
chin-gu-wa man-na-seo gi-ppeo-seo ul-eoss-da., chin gu wa man na seo gi ppeo seo ul eoss da.
Using 울다 for joy is unnatural.
감동적인 연설을 듣고 많은 사람이 울었다.
gam-dong-jeok-in yeon-seol-eul deut-go man-eun sa-ram-i ul-eoss-da., gam dong jeok in yeon seol eul deut go man eun sa ram i ul eoss da.
Tears from emotion are expressed with 울다.
감동적인 연설을 듣고 많은 사람이 웃었다.
gam-dong-jeok-in yeon-seol-eul deut-go man-eun sa-ram-i us-eoss-da., gam dong jeok in yeon seol eul deut go man eun sa ram i us eoss da.
Laughing at an emotional speech is inappropriate; 울다 is correct.
Quick quiz
Which verb should you use when watching a sad movie?
슬픈 영화를 보고 어떤 동사를 써야 할까요?(seul-peunyeong-hwa-reulbo-goeo-tteondong-sa-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, seulpeunyeonghwareulbogoeotteondongsareulsseoyahalkkayo?)I hear a funny joke from a friend, then I?
친구와 재미있는 농담을 듣고 나는?(chin-gu-wajae-mi-iss-neunnong-dam-euldeut-gona-neun?, chinguwajaemiissneunnongdameuldeutgonaneun?)What do you do when you are in pain?
아플 때 나는 어떻게 하나요?(a-peulttaena-neuneo-tteoh-geha-na-yo?, apeulttaenaneuneotteohgehanayo?)
More comparisons to explore
- 울다 vs 눈물나다: Differences in Tears and Emotional Expression
- 웃다 vs 웃음나다: Subject and Expression of Laughter
- 눈물나다 vs 울다: Difference Between Tears and Crying
- 웃음나다 vs 웃다: Natural Ways to Express Laughter
- 석방하다 vs 석방되다: Active vs Passive Release
- 퇴장하다 vs 퇴장되다: Active vs Passive Exit
- 초대하다 vs 초대되다: Who is the Subject?
- 여행하다 vs 여행되다: Active vs Passive Travel Verbs