How to say “I'm bored” in Korean

  1. 심심해요simsimhaeyo

    I'm bored

"I'm bored" in Korean is 심심해 (simsimhae), or 심심해요 (simsimhaeyo) to be polite. If something is boring, like a class or a movie, use 지루해 (jiruhae) instead.

Ways to say it

KoreanLevelWhen to use it
심심해
simsimhae		Casual"I'm bored, I have nothing to do." To friends and family.
심심해요
simsimhaeyo		PolitePolite. Fine with most people.
심심합니다
simsimhamnida		FormalFormal. Rarely used, since being bored is not a formal topic.
지루해
jiruhae		Casual"It's boring" or "it's dragging." About something tedious, like a long lecture or a slow movie.
노잼
nojam		CasualSlang for "no fun" or "boring," from 노 (no) plus 잼 (fun). Used about people, shows or jokes.

Examples

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Stuck at home on a rainy day

Ugh, I'm bored.

Sitting in a long lecture

This class is so boring.

Telling a friend about your weekend

I was really bored today.
Kkachi the magpie

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Tips

심심하다 is how you feel when you have nothing to do. 지루하다 describes something that is tedious. Mixing them up is a common learner mistake.

심심해 is also a light way to start a chat. Texting a friend 심심해 often means "Want to hang out?"

Pronunciation: 심심해 sounds like "shim-shim-hae."

More on 노잼 in our Korean phrase guides.

Questions learners ask

What is the difference between 심심해 and 지루해?

심심해 means you are bored because there is nothing to do. 지루해 means something is boring or tedious.

What does 노잼 mean?

노잼 (nojam) is slang for "no fun" or "boring." Its opposite is 꿀잼 (kkuljaem), "super fun."

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