Feeling a pang of pity
안쓰러운 마음이 들다
To feel pity or sympathy for someone.
Real Pattern
This expresses a feeling of compassion when you see someone in a difficult or unfortunate situation. It's a gentle, empathetic feeling, like your heart goes out to them.
Pattern Application
길 잃은 강아지를 보니 안쓰러운 마음이 들었어요. — I felt pity seeing the lost puppy.
혼자 힘들게 일하는 친구를 보면 안쓰러운 마음이 들어요. — When I see my friend working hard all alone, I feel sympathy.
Tip
This is softer than just saying "불쌍하다" (to be pitiful). It emphasizes your own emotional reaction rather than just labeling the other person's state.
안쓰러운 마음이 들었지요
Asking out of pure curiosity
신기한 듯 물었어요
Asked as if it were strange or fascinating.
Real Pattern
Use this when someone asks a question not just for information, but because they find the situation or action genuinely strange, new, or fascinating. Their tone is one of wonder.
Pattern Application
아이가 "하늘은 왜 파래요?" 하고 신기한 듯 물었어요. — The child asked, "Why is the sky blue?" as if fascinated.
외국인 친구가 김치를 먹어보고 신기한 듯 저를 쳐다봤어요. — My foreign friend tried kimchi and looked at me with a fascinated expression.
Tip
The -(으)ㄴ/는 듯 part can be attached to other verbs to mean "as if..." (e.g., 아는 듯 말하다 - to speak as if you know).
신기한 듯 물었어요
When their expression suddenly hardens
얼굴이 굳어졌다
One's face stiffened or hardened.
Real Pattern
This is a classic, almost cinematic way to describe a sudden, negative change in someone's mood. They hear or see something displeasing, and their friendly or neutral expression instantly becomes cold, serious, or angry.