Hello! It’s your favorite Korean language guide, Daily Korean, here to upgrade your skills!
Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s both deeply personal and incredibly important: mental wellness and personal growth. We’ll learn some beautiful Korean phrases to help you talk about your journey, reflect on your progress, and acknowledge your strength.
Recently in Korea, there’s a huge trend around “healing” (힐링) and self-care. From mindfulness apps topping the charts to K-pop idols openly discussing their mental health, talking about your inner world is more common and accepted than ever. These expressions will not only boost your Korean skills but also help you connect on a deeper level in these important conversations.
Let’s get started!
Core Expressions for Your Growth Journey
Here are some key phrases to describe the ups and downs of personal progress.
1. 한결 나아지다 (han-gyeol na-a-ji-da)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: han-gyeol na-a-ji-da
- English Meaning: To get noticeably better; to feel much improved.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a fantastic phrase to express significant improvement.
한결means “noticeably” or “a great deal,” and나아지다means “to get better.” While좋아졌어요(it got better) is good,한결 나아졌어요adds a layer of nuance, emphasizing that the change is substantial and clearly felt. It’s perfect for describing your mood, a difficult situation, or your overall state of mind.
2. 마음을 다잡다 (ma-eum-eul da-jap-da)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: ma-eum-eul da-jap-da
- English Meaning: To pull oneself together; to steady one’s mind.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a beautiful, introspective expression.
마음means “mind” or “heart,” and다잡다means to “grip again” or “hold firmly.” So, the literal meaning is “to re-grip one’s mind.” It perfectly captures that moment of determination when you decide to regain composure and face a challenge head-on after feeling lost or overwhelmed. It’s a phrase full of resolve.
3. 극복하다 (geuk-bok-ha-da)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: geuk-bok-ha-da
- English Meaning: To overcome; to conquer.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a powerful verb for talking about overcoming significant obstacles. It’s not for small, everyday problems, but for bigger challenges like a difficult period in your life, a fear, or a personal struggle. Using
극복하다shows great strength and resilience. You can use it with nouns like어려움을 극복하다(overcome difficulties) or두려움을 극복하다(overcome fear).
4. 성장통을 겪다 (seong-jang-tong-eul gyeok-da)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: seong-jang-tong-eul gyeok-da
- English Meaning: To experience growing pains.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a highly common and metaphorical phrase in Korea.
성장통literally means “growth pain.” It’s used to describe the emotional and mental struggles one goes through during a period of personal development—just like the physical pains a child feels as they grow. Acknowledging that you’re experiencing성장통is a mature way of saying, “This is tough, but I know it’s part of my growth process.”
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation between two friends, Subin and Jiho.
A (Subin): 지호야, 요즘 얼굴이 정말 밝아 보인다! 어떻게 지냈어?
(Jiho, you look so much brighter these days! How have you been?)
B (Jiho): 고마워, 수빈아. 요즘 내 마음에 좀 더 집중하고 있거든. 처음에는 일종의 성장통을 겪는 것 같아서 힘들었어.
(Thanks, Subin. I’ve been focusing more on my mental well-being. At first, it was tough, like I was experiencing some growing pains.)
A (Subin): 그랬구나. 그런 감정들을 마주하는 게 쉽지 않지.
(I see. It’s not easy to face those kinds of feelings.)
B (Jiho): 응. 그래도 마음을 다잡고 명상을 시작했더니 기분이 한결 나아졌어.
(Yeah. But I decided to pull myself together and started meditating, and now I feel so much better.)
A (Subin): 와, 정말 대단하다. 힘든 시기를 잘 극복했구나! 네가 자랑스러워.
(Wow, that’s amazing. You really overcame a hard time! I’m proud of you.)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, the concept of “Healing” (힐링) is a massive cultural trend. It’s a response to the country’s fast-paced, high-pressure society. “Healing” isn’t just about a spa day; it’s about actively seeking out experiences that restore your mental and emotional balance.
- Celebrity Influence: You’ll often hear K-pop idols and actors talk about their own struggles and how they
극복했어요. For example, artists like IU and BTS frequently use themes of성장통in their lyrics, making it a very relatable concept for young Koreans. - “Healing” in Daily Life: Look out for terms like ‘힐링 카페’ (healing cafe), which are quiet cafes with calming decor, or ‘힐링 여행’ (healing trip), which means traveling to a peaceful place like Jeju Island or a quiet temple to de-stress.
- Sounding Natural: When you talk about taking a break for your mental health, you can say, “힐링이 필요해요” (I need some healing). Using today’s phrases in that context will make you sound incredibly natural!
Let’s Wrap It Up & Practice!
Awesome job today! We learned four powerful expressions to talk about our personal growth and mental wellness journey: 한결 나아지다, 마음을 다잡다, 극복하다, and 성장통을 겪다. These phrases will help you have more meaningful and supportive conversations in Korean.
Now, it’s your turn to practice!
- Fill in the blank:
슬럼프를 ________ 위해서 요즘 운동을 열심히 하고 있어요.
(I’m working out hard these days in order to ________ my slump.) -
Make a sentence:
Using 한결 나아지다, how would you express that your headache got much better after taking medicine?
Leave your answers in the comments below! And feel free to share a small victory you’ve had recently using one of today’s phrases. We’re all here to cheer you on
