Korean grammar 괜히 + verb

Korean grammar 괜히 is derived from 공연히. 괜히 means “unnecessarily, needlessly, uselessly, pointlessly, in vain, to no purpose”
괜히 + Verb is an expression used to express regret.

괜히 – pointless, for no reason, useless

괜히 can be divided into two meanings. The first meaning is that it does not help me, I do not need it. The second meaning is ‘for no reason

When we realize the work we did was something unnecessary we use this expression. For example, ‘I thought it was going to rain today. I brought an umbrella because it looked like it was going to rain. I had an umbrella in my bag all day, so it was heavy. But the weather was great today. I didn’t need an umbrella. At that time, we said, “Oh, I brought an umbrella for nothing. I just brought an umbrella.” You can express it like this아, 우산 괜히 가지고 왓어.

Since the word 괜히 ‘for nothing’ is an adverb, it can be followed by a verb, an adjective, or just a sentence.

Actually, I was tired and wanted to take a break, but I just went to the party because there was a party, but the party was not so much fun. When that happens, we regret it. I shouldn’t have come. I should’ve just slept at home. We express it like this 오늘 파티에 괜히 왔네.
We use it a lot when we regret it.

The second meaning is “for no reason, for example,” Why are you getting mad at me?” Why are you mad at me when you have no reason to be angry with me? Why do you get mad at me?
아, 왜 나 한테 괜히 화내?

I get annoyed when I think about that person. I don’t know why. It’s just annoying. When I say this, I get annoyed for no reason. I get angry for no reason.
You can say like this.
I smile when I think about that person. 나는 그 사람은 생각하면 괜히 웃음이 나요.
I get annoyed when I think about that person. 나는 그 사람은 생각하면 괜히 짜증 나요.

Korean grammar 괜히 example

괜히 말했어. I shouldn’t have said it.
괜히 왔어. I shouldn’t have come./ I regret coming.
그걸 괜히 샀어요.I regret buying it./ I shouldn’t have bought it.

I regret that I came. 괜히 왔는 걸