Meaning
빡세다
ppak-seda
tough / difficult / intense
Real Feeling
What Koreans really mean
This term is quite informal and widely used among peers or in casual settings. It conveys a sense of difficulty and effort. While not offensive, it might sound a bit too casual if used with someone in a superior position or in a very formal context. It's common to hear it among students describing their exams or workload, or among workers talking about a demanding project. It carries a nuance of 'being put through the wringer' or 'it's a grind'.
💬 Used in real life
• Said by a student complaining about a difficult exam or a heavy amount of homework.
• Used by an employee describing a challenging project with tight deadlines at work.
How It's Used
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Similar Expressions
Related feelings and meanings — click to explore
Grammar Breakdown
Part by part — learn the structure, not just the meaning
빡세-ppak-se-adjective stem
adjective stem
The informal adjective stem referring to something being tough or intense.
-다-dasentence-final ending (declarative)
sentence-final ending (declarative)
A plain form declarative ending used to state a fact, common in informal speech and writing.
Tags
Korean expressions carry layers of meaning that direct translation misses. The real meaning lives in the emotion, context, and cultural moment.
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