하필 뜻: “Of all times” nuance in Korean

What it actually implies

하필hapil is an adverb that highlights one choice as “the worst/most annoying possible one” in the moment.

A simple decision tree (to pick the right tone):

• Are you talking about timing/selection that feels unlucky, with no target?
  • Yes → 하필hapil = unlucky coincidence (often safe)
  • No → keep going
• Is there a person you’re implicitly pointing at (you/your friend/that guy)?
  • Yes → 하필hapil can sound like pointed emphasis/blame (risky)
  • Not sure → swap to a neutral option like 공교롭게도gonggyoropgedo or 굳이gudi

Quick collocations you’ll hear:

• 왜 하필…wae hapil… — “Why (did it have to be)…?”
• 하필이면hapirimyeon — “If it had to be one, why that one?”
• 하필 오늘/지금/여기서hapil oneul/jigeum/yeogiseo — “Of all days/now/here”
• 하필 그 사람(이야)hapil geu saram(iya) — “Of all people, that person” (often sharper)

When it sounds rude (and why)

하필hapil gets spicy when it lands near a person (or sounds like it’s their fault).

Trap example:

• 하필 네가 그랬어?hapil nega geuraesseo? — Can sound like “Of course you did” (judgy) Better (if you mean surprise, not blame):
• 네가 그랬어?nega geuraesseo? — “You did?”
• 공교롭게도 네가 그랬어?gonggyoropgedo nega geuraesseo? — “Coincidentally, you did?”

Do / Don’t checklist

Do:

• Use 하필hapil with time/place objects for “unlucky timing”: 하필 오늘 비가 오네hapil oneul biga one — It’s raining today of all days.
• Add softeners when you might sound accusatory: 왜 하필 지금이야, 하필이면…wae hapil jigeumiya, hapirimyeon… (still strong) + follow with a repair line.

Don’t:

• Drop 하필hapil right before “you/he/she” in tense moments unless you want pointed shade.
• Use it at work when emotions are high; choose safer swaps.

Quick repair lines (to de-escalate):

• 아니, 탓하는 건 아니고…ani, tathaneun geon anigo… — I’m not blaming you…
• 그냥 타이밍이 공교로워서.geunyang taimii gonggyorowoseo. — The timing is just oddly coincidental.
• 내가 예민했나 봐.naega yeminhaetna bwa. — I think I was being sensitive.

Safer swaps to stay neutral:

• 굳이gudi — “do you really have to / must it be” (less blaming, still questioning)
• 공교롭게도gonggyoropgedo — “coincidentally/ironically” (more “wow timing” than “your fault”)

Rewrite drill (same message, 3 tones)

Same situation: your friend suggests meeting today, but you’re exhausted.

• Pointed (shade): 하필 오늘 만나자고?hapil oneul mannajago? — Of all days, today?
• Neutral (questioning): 굳이 오늘 만나야 해?gudi oneul mannaya hae? — Do we really have to meet today?
• Softer (self-focused): 오늘은 좀 힘들 것 같아. 다른 날로 할까?oneureun jom himdeul geot gata. dareun nalro halkka? — Today might be hard. Can we do another day?

Placement rewrites (12 wrong → right):

1. 하필 너 지금 와?hapil neo jigeum wa? → 왜 하필 지금 와?wae hapil jigeum wa? — Adding 왜wae makes it sound like a “timing” question, not a jab.
2. 하필 네가 말해?hapil nega malhae? → 네가 말한 거야?nega malhan geoya? — Remove 하필hapil to avoid “of course you.”
3. 하필 그 사람 만나?hapil geu saram manna? → 굳이 그 사람을 만나야 해?gudi geu sarameul mannaya hae? — Keeps doubt, reduces blame.
4. 하필 오늘 연락해?hapil oneul yeonrakhae? → 공교롭게도 오늘 연락했네.gonggyoropgedo oneul yeonrakhaetne. — Turns it into coincidence, not accusation.
5. 하필 여기서 얘기해?hapil yeogiseo yaegihae? → 여기서는 말하기 좀 그래.yeogiseoneun malhagi jom geurae. — Sets a boundary instead of shading.
6. 하필 지금 그 얘기야?hapil jigeum geu yaegiya? → 지금 그 얘기는 나중에 하자.jigeum geu yaegineun najue haja. — Direct and calm.
7. 하필 너랑 가야 해?hapil neorang gaya hae? → 다른 사람이랑 가도 돼?dareun saramirang gado dwae? — Avoids targeting “you.”
8. 하필 그때 아팠어?hapil geuttae apasseo? → 그때 아팠구나.geuttae apatguna. — Drops the “why that time” bite.
9. 하필 나한테 그래?hapil nahante geurae? → 나한테는 그렇게 말하지 말아줘.nahanteneun geureotge malhaji marajwo. — States the issue without “of all people.”
10. 하필 오늘 비야.hapil oneul biya. → 하필 오늘 비가 오네.hapil oneul biga one. — Natural placement with a full clause.
11. 하필이면 그 카페?hapirimyeon geu kape? → 그 카페 말고 다른 데 갈까?geu kape malgo dareun de galkka? — Suggests an alternative.
12. 하필 그 말 했어?hapil geu mal haesseo? → 그 말은 좀 상처였어.geu mareun jom sangcheoyeosseo. — Focuses on impact, not “why you.”

Examples

• 하필 오늘 우산을 안 가져왔네.hapil oneul usaneul an gajyeowatne. — Of all days, I didn’t bring an umbrella today.
• 하필 지금 전화가 오네.hapil jigeum jeonhwaga one. — Of all times, a call comes now.
• 왜 하필 오늘이야? 내일은 안 돼?wae hapil oneuriya? naeireun an dwae? — Why does it have to be today? Can’t it be tomorrow?
• 하필 그 사람 얘기를 지금 해야 해?hapil geu saram yaegireul jigeum haeya hae? — Do you have to bring up that person right now? (can feel sharp)
• 공교롭게도 하필 그날만 시간이 안 났어.gonggyoropgedo hapil geunalman sigani an nasseo. — Coincidentally, it was only that day I had no time.