Dictionary — Entry No. 0838
생각했어
saenggakaesseo · verb
생각했어
saenggakaesseo
[sang-GAH-kah-EHS-uh]
verbbeginner
Meaning
Past tense of ‘saenggakhada,’ meaning ‘I thought’ or ‘I was thinking.’ Conveys reflection, doubt, or a past mental state—more introspective than a simple statement of fact.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Frequent in K-Drama monologues and confessional scenes where characters reveal internal conflict. K-Pop idols use this in interviews when discussing their past mindset or evolution as artists. It’s introspective and slightly vulnerable, perfect for emotional moments.
Example Sentences
전에는 쉽다고 생각했어.
jeone-neun swipda-go saenggakaesseo.
I used to think it was easy. (showing how naive you were)
미안해, 나 너무 크게 생각했어.
mianhae, na neomu keuge saenggakaesseo.
Sorry, I was thinking too big. (admitting overconfidence)
그때는 그게 최선이라고 생각했어.
geuttaeneun geuge choeseon-i-rago saenggakaesseo.
Back then, I thought that was the best option. (justifying a past decision)
⚠️ Don’t use saenggakaesseo when…
Don’t confuse with 생각됐어 (something was thought/remembered)—생각했어 means YOU actively thought. Watch tone: with wrong intonation, it can sound dismissive or regretful rather than reflective.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay — Moon Sang-tae reflects ‘나는 생각했어’ when processing his feelings about Ko Mun-yeol’s character, showing internal realization.
- K-Pop: BTS — In interviews about their early days, members say ‘그때는 이렇게 될 줄 생각했어요’ (back then I thought it would be like this), reflecting on their journey.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.