Meaning
"I can't imagine how"는 어떤 상황이나 사건이 너무 놀랍거나 이해하기 어려워 상상조차 할 수 없다는 의미를 전달하는 표현입니다. 이 표현은 주로 다른 사람의 경험이나 감정, 상황을 이해하고자 할 때 사용됩니다.
예를 들어, 친구가 매우 어려운 일을 겪었다고 말했을 때, "I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you"라고 말할 수 있습니다. 이는 그 친구의 어려움을 상상할 수 없을 정도로 크다고 느끼며, 그 상황에 대한 깊은 공감을 나타냅니다.
이 표현은 대화에서 상대방의 감정이나 경험에 대한 이해와 공감을 나타내기 위해 자주 사용됩니다. 누군가의 경험이 자신에게는 생소하거나 믿기 어려운 경우, "I can't imagine how"를 사용하여 그들의 상황에 대한 놀라움과 공감을 동시에 표현할 수 있습니다.
따라서, "I can't imagine how"는 감정적으로 깊은 대화를 나눌 때 유용한 표현이며, 상대방의 감정을 존중하고 이해하려는 노력을 보여줍니다.
Today's Sentences
- I can’t imagine how busy you are.
- I can’t imagine how angry you felt.
- I can’t imagine how sad you must be.
- I can’t imagine how much you miss him.
- I can’t imagine how painful it must have been.
- Writer's Note
01
I can’t imagine how busy you are.
Situation 1
Are you still at work?
Yes, I think I’ll be here for a while.
I can’t imagine how busy you are.
I hope you can squeeze in a meal.
식사할 시간을 낼 수 있기를 바랍니다.
I’m just going to grab a bit now.
I’ll call you on my way home.
집에 가는 길에 전화할게요.
Situation 2
How have you and your family been?
We've been doing well.
It’s been a little stressful balancing work and the kids.
일과 아이들을 균형 있게 돌보는 것이 조금 스트레스를 주네요.
I can’t imagine how busy you are.
Hopefully we can fit in a getaway when the kids go on break.
02
I can’t imagine how angry you felt.
Situation 1
So the environment agency never responded to my email.
Wasn’t the oil spill a serious issue?
It’s been a while.
오랜만입니다.
I might have given them a call but it’s unlikely that they would have acted on it.
I can’t imagine how angry you felt and how angry the community must have been.
Situation 2
My girlfriend’s parents were against our marriage.
Why?
I think it was because of my religion.
Of all things, I can’t imagine how angry you felt.
03
I can’t imagine how sad you must be.
Situation 1
How are you doing?
I’m doing better.
I’m still in shock with what happened.
아직도 무슨 일이 있었는지에 충격을 받고 있어.
I can’t imagine how sad you must be.
Losing someone so special without notice, I’m so sorry.
갑작스럽게 소중한 사람을 잃게 되다니, 정말 안타깝습니다.
Life goes on, I’m still adjusting to a new life but I'm sure it'll get better over time.
Situation 2
I can’t imagine how sad you must be.
She was with me for 15 years.
My cat is 9 years old and I can’t imagine my days without her.
Pets are truly a part of our family.
They give us such comfort and love.
그들은 우리에게 큰 위로와 사랑을 줍니다.
04
I can’t imagine how much you miss him.
Situation 1
Will you get another dog?
I don’t know if I really want to raise another dog yet.
I can’t imagine how much you miss him.
I have a feeling I may never recover from this sadness.
Situation 2
I can’t imagine how much you miss him.
I loved my grandfather.
We used to call him Pop Pop.
우리는 그분을 Pop Pop이라고 부르곤 했습니다.
You must have been close with him.
Yes, we used to cook together and he would read books to me at night.
05
I can’t imagine how painful it must have been.
Situation 1
I brought you some soup.
Thank you so much.
How is your leg?
I can’t imagine how painful it must have been.
얼마나 아팠을지 상상할 수 없어요.
I’m doing much better.
I won’t lie though, it was really painful before the surgery.
하지만 솔직히 말해서, 수술 전에는 정말 아팠어요.
Situation 2
How are you doing after the accident?
I’m doing much better.
I’ve been going to physiotherapy for a few months now.
몇 달째 물리치료를 받고 있어요.
I can’t imagine how painful it must have been.
Learning how to navigate with a prosthetic leg has been an obstacle.
Writer's Note
What kind of situations have you experienced that were shocking or unbelievable? What kind of life events have you gone through that were anticipated or unanticipated? At any point in our lives, young or old, we go through certain life events that are worth celebrating and some that make us sad and grieve. We usually use the phrase "I can't imagine" to express sympathy and give someone a chance to share their emotions.
When I lost my father to cancer, a lot of people sent their regards by saying:
- I can't imagine the pain you're going through. I'm so sorry for your loss.
- I can't imagine losing a family member so suddenly. You'll get through this.
- I can't imagine losing my dad. You must be going through so much right now.
- I can't imagine the weight of the situation. Please know that I'm here for you.
A phrase similar to "I can't imagine" is "I can only imagine". This phrase is used to express empathy with someone's feelings without claiming to know exactly what they are feeling. It allows the person to share what they are feeling at the moment. When you haven’t experienced the circumstances in question, one finds the very concept beyond one's powers of imagination.
- I can only imagine what you and your family are going through.
- I can only imagine the pain you are feeling. My thoughts go out to you.
- I can only imagine the shock and disbelief that you must be feeling.
- I can only imagine the severity of the situation.
They seem similar but it would be wise NOT to use the phrase I can only imagine regarding a death. It would be more polite and kind to express sympathy or regret through "I can't imagine".