At the A1 level, you don't need to use '만성적이다' often, but it is helpful to know it means 'long-time' for health. Think of it as 'very long sick.' For example, if your stomach hurts for many months, a doctor might use this word. You can remember it as 'man' (slow) and 'seong' (nature). It's like a slow, long problem. At this stage, just recognize that if you see this word in a hospital or a health book, it means the problem has been there for a long time. You might see it in simple phrases like '만성 피로' (feeling tired for a long time). Don't worry about the hard grammar yet, just remember the meaning of 'long-lasting problem.'
At the A2 level, you can start using '만성적이다' to describe your health or simple habits. You should know that '만성적인' is the form used before a noun. For example, '만성적인 피로' (chronic fatigue) is a very common phrase because many people in Korea work hard and feel tired all the time. You can also use it to describe a problem that doesn't go away, like '만성적인 교통 문제' (chronic traffic problems). At this level, you should be able to distinguish it from '자주' (often). '자주' is about how many times, but '만성적' is about how long the problem has existed in your life. Try to use it when talking about health or social problems in simple sentences.
At the B1 level, you should use '만성적이다' in more varied contexts, including social and economic discussions. You should understand that it comes from Hanja (慢 + 性), meaning a 'slow-moving nature.' This helps you understand why it's used for things that are hard to change. You can use it to describe economic issues like '만성적인 적자' (chronic deficit) or '만성적인 실업' (chronic unemployment). You should also be comfortable using the adverbial form '만성적으로' to describe how a situation is occurring, such as '그는 만성적으로 늦는다' (He is chronically late). This level requires you to understand the negative nuance of the word and use it appropriately in semi-formal writing or conversations.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use '만성적이다' with precision in professional and academic settings. You should understand the difference between '만성적' and '고질적' (deep-seated/inveterate). While '만성적' is often used for medical and economic duration, '고질적' is used more for stubborn social evils or bad habits that are frustrating. You should be able to read news articles about '만성적인 사회 문제' (chronic social issues) and summarize them using this vocabulary. Your grammar should be perfect when using the adnominal (~적인) and predicative (~적이다) forms. You can also use it to discuss psychological states, like chronic stress and its impact on productivity, in a more nuanced way.
At the C1 level, '만성적이다' should be a natural part of your high-level vocabulary. You should be able to use it in complex arguments about structural issues in society, history, or science. For instance, you might discuss the '만성적인 불평등' (chronic inequality) in a political system or the '만성적인 자원 부족' (chronic resource shortage) in an ecological context. You should also recognize its usage in literature or high-level editorials where it might be used metaphorically to describe a 'chronic' lack of soul or creativity in a specific era. At this level, you should also be familiar with the antonym '급성' (acute) and use both to describe the progression of complex phenomena.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '만성적이다' and its various connotations. You can use it to describe subtle philosophical or existential states. You understand the historical development of the word and how its Hanja components influence its perception in the Korean mind. You can engage in professional medical, economic, or sociological debates using this term to define the temporal nature of a problem. You can also identify and correct subtle misuses of the word by others, noting when a more specific term like '고착화' (solidification) or '내재화' (internalization) might be more appropriate. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, especially in formal writing and public speaking.

만성적이다 في 30 ثانية

  • Used to describe long-lasting conditions, especially illnesses that persist for more than three months.
  • Often applied to social and economic problems like deficits, unemployment, or traffic congestion.
  • Derived from Hanja meaning 'slow nature,' implying a deep-rooted and hard-to-fix situation.
  • Almost always used in a negative or neutral context to describe burdens or persistent flaws.

The word 만성적이다 (man-seong-jeok-i-da) is a descriptive verb or adjective in Korean that translates to 'being chronic' or 'being long-lasting.' It is derived from the Hanja roots 慢 (man), meaning slow or sluggish, and 性 (seong), meaning nature or character, followed by the suffix 적 (jeok) which turns it into a relative or descriptive form, and the copula 이다 (ida). In its most literal sense, it describes a condition, habit, or situation that has persisted over a long period and is difficult to cure or resolve quickly. Unlike acute conditions (급성), which appear suddenly and intensely, something that is 만성적 has settled into a pattern. While it is frequently used in medical contexts to describe illnesses like chronic fatigue or chronic pain, its usage extends far beyond the hospital walls. In modern Korean society, it is used metaphorically to describe structural problems within an economy, such as chronic unemployment, or personal habits that are hard to break, like chronic tardiness. Understanding this word requires recognizing that it implies a sense of stagnation and the passage of time. It is not just about something happening once; it is about something that has become a part of the environment or the individual's state of being. For English speakers, it aligns perfectly with the medical term 'chronic' but carries a slightly more versatile weight in daily conversation when discussing societal flaws or persistent personal struggles.

Medical Context
Used to describe diseases or symptoms that persist for more than three months, such as 만성 위염 (chronic gastritis).
Social Context
Used to describe systemic issues like 만성적인 교통 체증 (chronic traffic congestion) or 만성적인 인력 부족 (chronic labor shortage).
Psychological Context
Describes long-term mental states like 만성 스트레스 (chronic stress) or a chronic lack of motivation.

그는 만성적인 허리 통증 때문에 고생하고 있다. (He is suffering because of chronic back pain.)

우리 회사는 만성적인 적자에 시달리고 있습니다. (Our company is suffering from a chronic deficit.)

현대인들은 만성적인 피로를 느끼며 살아간다. (Modern people live while feeling chronic fatigue.)

이 문제는 단순한 실수가 아니라 만성적인 시스템 오류입니다. (This problem is not a simple mistake but a chronic system error.)

도심의 만성적인 주차난을 해결해야 합니다. (We must solve the chronic parking shortage in the city center.)

Using 만성적이다 correctly requires an understanding of how adjectives function as predicates in Korean. When you want to say 'Something is chronic,' you use '만성적이다' at the end of the sentence. However, in most practical conversations, you will use the adnominal form '만성적인' to describe a specific noun that follows it. For example, to say 'chronic disease,' you say '만성적인 질병.' If you are speaking formally, you might say '이 증상은 만성적입니다' (This symptom is chronic). In a neutral or polite setting, '만성적이에요' is common. The word is almost always associated with negative or neutral contexts; you would rarely, if ever, describe a positive trait as 'chronic' in Korean, much like in English. You wouldn't say someone has 'chronic happiness' using this specific word, as it implies a 'sluggish nature' (the Hanja origin) that suggests a burden or a pathology. When constructing sentences, pay attention to the particles. Often, the subject of the sentence is a physical condition or a societal problem. If you are talking about suffering *from* a chronic condition, you use the construction '만성적인 [Noun]에 시달리다' (to suffer from [chronic noun]). This is a very common collocation. Another important grammatical point is that '만성적' can also function as an adverbial phrase when followed by '으로', as in '만성적으로 부족하다' (to be chronically lacking). This allows you to describe verbs or other adjectives, expanding your expressive range. Whether you are writing a medical report, a news article about the economy, or explaining a long-term personal habit to a friend, '만성적이다' provides the necessary nuance of duration and deep-rooted persistence that a simple word like '오래되다' (to be old/long-standing) lacks.

Adnominal Form (Modifying Nouns)
Use '만성적인' before the noun. Example: 만성적인 피로 (chronic fatigue).
Predicative Form (Ending Sentences)
Use '만성적이다' (formal: 만성적입니다, polite: 만성적이에요). Example: 제 통증은 만성적이에요 (My pain is chronic).
Adverbial Form (Modifying Verbs)
Use '만성적으로'. Example: 만성적으로 잠이 부족해요 (I am chronically short on sleep).

그의 게으름은 이제 만성적이다. (His laziness is now chronic.)

정부는 만성적인 가뭄에 대비하고 있다. (The government is preparing for the chronic drought.)

In South Korea, you will encounter the word 만성적이다 in several specific environments. First and foremost is the medical field. If you go to a 'Naegwa' (Internal Medicine clinic) complaining of a stomach ache that has lasted for months, the doctor will likely use the term '만성 위염' (chronic gastritis) or '만성 소화불량' (chronic indigestion). Pharmacy shelves are also filled with supplements designed to combat '만성 피로' (chronic fatigue), a very popular term in Korea's high-stress, long-working-hour culture. Beyond health, you will hear this word daily on the news and in newspapers. Journalists use it to describe persistent economic problems, such as '만성적인 무역 적자' (chronic trade deficit) or social issues like '만성적인 취업난' (chronic job shortage). In the workplace, managers might use it to describe recurring issues in production or workflow, emphasizing that the problem is deep-seated and requires more than a quick fix. Interestingly, it also appears in educational contexts when discussing students' habits. A teacher might tell a parent that a student's '만성적인 지각' (chronic tardiness) is affecting their grades. While the word sounds somewhat formal due to its Hanja roots, it is widely understood by all age groups and is the standard way to express the concept of long-term persistence in both professional and semi-formal settings. It carries a nuance of seriousness; when someone uses '만성적이다', they are signaling that the issue is not a one-time event but a structural or biological reality that has been ongoing for a significant amount of time.

뉴스: "우리 경제의 만성적인 저성장이 우려됩니다." (News: "The chronic low growth of our economy is concerning.")

병원: "환자분은 만성적인 비염을 앓고 계시네요." (Hospital: "You are suffering from chronic rhinitis.")

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make when using 만성적이다 is confusing it with the simple word for 'long' (오래되다) or 'frequent' (자주 있는). While something chronic is indeed long-lasting, '만성적이다' carries a specific nuance of being deep-rooted or pathological. You wouldn't say a long friendship is '만성적이다' because that would imply the friendship is a disease or a persistent problem. Another mistake is using '만성적' to describe positive things. In English, you might metaphorically say someone is a 'chronic optimist,' but in Korean, '만성적' is almost exclusively reserved for negative or neutral-negative states. For positive persistence, words like '지속적이다' (continuous) or '한결같다' (constant/unchanging) are much better choices. Additionally, learners often forget to use the correct particle or form. Remember that '만성적' is a noun/adjective root; you cannot use it alone as a verb. You must attach '이다' to make it a predicate or '인' to make it an adjective. Lastly, don't confuse '만성' (chronic) with '관성' (inertia). While they sound slightly similar, '관성' refers to the physical property of staying in motion or at rest, though it can be used metaphorically for habits. '만성' is strictly about the duration and nature of a condition over time. Avoid using '만성적이다' for things that happened only a few times over a week; it requires a history of months or years to be truly 'chronic.'

Incorrect Usage
"우리는 만성적인 친구예요" (We are chronic friends) - Incorrect. Use '오래된 친구' (old friends).
Confusion with Frequency
Don't use it for something that happens 'often' but isn't a long-term state. Use '자주' (often) for frequency.

To broaden your vocabulary, it is helpful to compare 만성적이다 with other words that express duration or persistence. The most direct contrast is 급성이다 (geup-seong-i-da), which means 'acute' or 'sudden.' In medical terms, these two are opposites. If a problem is not just chronic but also very difficult to fix and has become a deep-seated habit or tradition, you might use 고질적이다 (go-jil-jeok-i-da). This word is often used for 'chronic' social evils or very stubborn illnesses. For example, '고질적인 부정부패' (chronic/deep-seated corruption). If you want to emphasize that something is simply continuing without stopping, 지속적이다 (ji-sok-jeok-i-da) is the best choice. It is more neutral and can be used for positive things, like '지속적인 성장' (continuous growth). Another alternative is 고착되다 (go-chak-doe-da), which means 'to become fixed' or 'to be stuck in a certain state,' often used for economic or social stagnation. Lastly, 고질병 (go-jil-byeong) is a specific noun meaning a 'chronic disease' or a 'long-standing bad habit.' Choosing between these depends on whether you want to sound medical (만성적), critical of a stubborn habit (고질적), or neutral about continuity (지속적).

만성적 vs 고질적
'만성적' is more clinical and objective. '고질적' implies the problem is stubborn, annoying, and hard to eradicate.
만성적 vs 지속적
'만성적' is usually negative (illness, lack). '지속적' is neutral and can be positive (support, growth).

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The character 慢 (man) is the same one used in 'man-man-ha-da' (to be easy/negligible), showing the connection between something being slow and something being treated lightly or becoming a background fixture.

دليل النطق

UK mɐn.sʌŋ.dʑʌk.i.da
US mɑn.sʌŋ.dʒʌk.i.dɑ
Stress is generally even, but the first syllable 'man' often carries a slightly higher pitch in standard Seoul dialect.
يتقافى مع
열정적이다 (yeol-jeong-jeok-i-da) 긍정적이다 (geung-jeong-jeok-i-da) 부정적이다 (bu-jeong-jeok-i-da) 감성적이다 (gam-seong-jeok-i-da) 이성적이다 (i-seong-jeok-i-da) 안정적이다 (an-jeong-jeok-i-da) 상징적이다 (sang-jing-jeok-i-da) 열성적이다 (yeol-seong-jeok-i-da)
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing 'man' too short like 'man' in English. It should be longer.
  • Missing the 'ng' sound in 'seong'.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'jeok' syllable.
  • Pronouncing 'da' with a hard 'T' sound.
  • Confusing 'man' with 'min'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Common in news and medical contexts, requires knowing Hanja roots for full nuance.

الكتابة 4/5

Requires correct use of adnominal (~적인) vs predicative (~적이다) forms.

التحدث 3/5

Useful for explaining long-term personal issues, though '오래된' is easier.

الاستماع 3/5

Frequently heard in news broadcasts and hospital settings.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

오래되다 문제 피로 부족

تعلّم لاحقاً

고질적이다 지속적이다 급성 합병증 결핍

متقدم

고착화 병폐 누적되다 심화되다 악순환

قواعد يجب معرفتها

~적 (Suffix)

경제적, 사회적, 만성적

~적인 (Adnominal form of ~적)

만성적인 문제

~적으로 (Adverbial form of ~적)

만성적으로 아프다

~이다 (Copula)

만성적이다

~에 시달리다 (Suffer from)

만성 피로에 시달리다

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

저는 만성 피로가 있어요.

I have chronic fatigue.

Simple noun '만성 피로'.

2

만성적인 아픔이에요.

It is a chronic pain.

Adnominal form '만성적인' + noun.

3

이 병은 만성적입니다.

This disease is chronic.

Formal ending '입니다'.

4

만성적인 기침을 해요.

I have a chronic cough.

Directly modifying '기침'.

5

그는 만성적으로 아파요.

He is chronically sick.

Adverbial form '만성적으로'.

6

만성적인 문제는 힘들어요.

Chronic problems are hard.

Subject uses '만성적인'.

7

제 친구는 만성 비염이 있어요.

My friend has chronic rhinitis.

Common medical compound noun.

8

이것은 만성적인 증상입니다.

This is a chronic symptom.

Formal '증상입니다'.

1

서울은 만성적인 교통 체증이 있어요.

Seoul has chronic traffic congestion.

Common social collocation.

2

만성적인 스트레스를 조심하세요.

Be careful of chronic stress.

Imperative '조심하세요'.

3

그 회사는 만성적인 적자 상태예요.

The company is in a state of chronic deficit.

Economic term '적자'.

4

만성적인 불면증 때문에 힘들어요.

I'm struggling because of chronic insomnia.

Reasoning with '때문에'.

5

이 문제는 만성적이라서 해결이 어려워요.

This problem is chronic, so it is hard to solve.

Connective '-(이)라서'.

6

만성적인 소화불량이 고통스러워요.

Chronic indigestion is painful.

Adjective '고통스럽다'.

7

그의 만성적인 지각은 큰 문제예요.

His chronic tardiness is a big problem.

Describing a habit '지각'.

8

만성적인 물 부족 현상이 나타나요.

A chronic water shortage phenomenon is appearing.

Environmental term '물 부족'.

1

만성적인 인력 부족으로 업무가 지연되고 있다.

Work is being delayed due to a chronic labor shortage.

Passive form '지연되고 있다'.

2

정부는 만성적인 주택난을 해결하려고 노력한다.

The government is trying to solve the chronic housing shortage.

Intentional form '-(으)려고'.

3

현대인에게 만성 피로는 피할 수 없는 숙명 같다.

Chronic fatigue seems like an unavoidable fate for modern people.

Simile '숙명 같다'.

4

그의 병은 만성적인 것으로 판명되었습니다.

His illness was determined to be a chronic one.

Noun-making '것으로 판명되다'.

5

만성적으로 낮은 자존감이 그를 괴롭혔다.

Chronically low self-esteem tormented him.

Adverbial '만성적으로' modifying '낮은'.

6

이 지역은 만성적인 가뭄에 시달리고 있습니다.

This region is suffering from a chronic drought.

Suffer from '에 시달리다'.

7

만성적인 시스템 오류를 수정해야 합니다.

We must fix the chronic system errors.

Must '해야 합니다'.

8

그 나라는 만성적인 인플레이션을 겪고 있다.

The country is experiencing chronic inflation.

Experience '겪고 있다'.

1

이 도시는 만성적인 주차 공간 부족으로 몸살을 앓고 있다.

This city is suffering greatly from a chronic lack of parking space.

Idiom '몸살을 앓다' (to suffer/ache).

2

만성적인 우울증은 전문가의 도움이 반드시 필요하다.

Chronic depression absolutely requires professional help.

Necessity '반드시 필요하다'.

3

기업의 만성적인 자금난이 파산의 원인이 되었다.

The company's chronic financial difficulties caused the bankruptcy.

Cause and effect '원인이 되다'.

4

만성적인 허리 디스크는 꾸준한 운동이 중요하다.

For chronic spinal disc issues, consistent exercise is important.

Topic marker '-(은/는)' for emphasis.

5

우리 사회의 만성적인 안전 불감증을 타파해야 한다.

We must break down the chronic insensitivity to safety in our society.

Break down '타파해야 한다'.

6

그는 만성적인 무력감에서 벗어나기 위해 여행을 떠났다.

He went on a trip to escape from a chronic sense of helplessness.

Escape from '에서 벗어나기 위해'.

7

만성적인 무역 수지 적자는 국가 경제에 치명적이다.

A chronic trade balance deficit is fatal to the national economy.

Fatal '치명적이다'.

8

만성적인 교육 격차 문제를 해결하기 위한 정책이 필요하다.

Policies are needed to solve the problem of chronic educational disparity.

Purpose '하기 위한'.

1

만성적인 빈곤의 굴레에서 벗어나는 것은 매우 어려운 과제이다.

Breaking out of the cycle of chronic poverty is a very difficult task.

Metaphor '굴레' (shackles/cycle).

2

이 소설은 현대인의 만성적인 고독을 심도 있게 다루고 있다.

This novel deals deeply with the chronic loneliness of modern people.

Deal with '심도 있게 다루다'.

3

만성적인 염증 수치가 높으면 다양한 합병증을 유발할 수 있다.

High levels of chronic inflammation can cause various complications.

Cause '유발할 수 있다'.

4

조직 내의 만성적인 불신은 협력을 방해하는 가장 큰 요소이다.

Chronic distrust within an organization is the biggest factor hindering cooperation.

Hinder '방해하는 요소'.

5

만성적인 에너지 부족을 해결하기 위해 재생 에너지 투자를 확대해야 한다.

To solve chronic energy shortages, investment in renewable energy must be expanded.

Expand '확대해야 한다'.

6

그의 작품 세계에는 만성적인 허무주의가 짙게 깔려 있다.

A chronic nihilism is deeply embedded in his artistic world.

Embedded '짙게 깔려 있다'.

7

만성적인 외화 부족으로 인해 수입 물가가 폭등하고 있다.

Due to a chronic shortage of foreign currency, import prices are skyrocketing.

Due to '으로 인해'.

8

만성적인 정치적 불안정은 국가 발전을 저해하는 고질적인 병폐이다.

Chronic political instability is a deep-seated evil that hinders national development.

Deep-seated evil '고질적인 병폐'.

1

근대화 과정에서 발생한 만성적인 소외 현상은 여전히 유효한 담론이다.

The chronic alienation that occurred during the modernization process is still a valid discourse.

Discourse '담론'.

2

만성적인 신경성 질환은 심리적 요인과 생리적 요인이 복합적으로 작용한다.

Chronic neurological diseases involve a complex interplay of psychological and physiological factors.

Interplay '복합적으로 작용하다'.

3

자본주의 체제의 만성적인 과잉 생산은 주기적인 경제 위기를 초래한다.

The chronic overproduction of the capitalist system causes periodic economic crises.

Cause '초래한다'.

4

만성적인 수면 박탈은 뇌의 인지 기능을 현저히 저하시키는 요인이다.

Chronic sleep deprivation is a factor that significantly degrades the brain's cognitive functions.

Significantly degrade '현저히 저하시키다'.

5

해당 지역의 만성적인 분쟁은 역사적 앙금과 영토 문제가 얽혀 있다.

The chronic conflict in that region is intertwined with historical grudges and territorial issues.

Intertwined '얽혀 있다'.

6

만성적인 관료주의의 폐해를 극복하기 위한 대대적인 혁신이 요구된다.

Major innovation is required to overcome the harmful effects of chronic bureaucracy.

Harmful effects '폐해'.

7

작가는 인간 존재의 만성적인 불안을 실존주의적 관점에서 고찰한다.

The author examines the chronic anxiety of human existence from an existentialist perspective.

Examine '고찰한다'.

8

만성적인 식량 안보 위기는 기후 변화와 맞물려 더욱 심화되고 있다.

The chronic food security crisis is intensifying in tandem with climate change.

In tandem with '와 맞물려'.

تلازمات شائعة

만성 피로
만성 질환
만성 적자
만성적인 부족
만성적인 지각
만성 위염
만성 스트레스
만성적인 정체
만성적인 불안
만성적인 가난

العبارات الشائعة

만성 피로 증후군

— Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A medical condition of extreme tiredness.

그는 만성 피로 증후군 진단을 받았다.

만성적인 문제

— A chronic problem. A problem that keeps happening over a long time.

이것은 우리 사회의 만성적인 문제다.

만성적으로 변하다

— To turn chronic. When an acute issue becomes long-term.

감기가 만성적으로 변해서 고생했다.

만성적인 통증

— Chronic pain. Pain that lasts for months.

만성적인 통증을 완화하기 위해 약을 먹는다.

만성적인 결핍

— Chronic deficiency. A long-term lack of something.

비타민의 만성적인 결핍은 위험하다.

만성적인 불황

— Chronic recession. A long-term economic slump.

만성적인 불황으로 소비가 줄었다.

만성적인 무력감

— Chronic helplessness. A long-term feeling of having no power.

만성적인 무력감에 빠져 아무것도 못 하겠다.

만성적인 인력난

— Chronic labor shortage. A persistent lack of workers.

중소기업은 만성적인 인력난을 겪는다.

만성적인 정체 현상

— Chronic stagnation phenomenon. A situation stuck in place.

도로의 만성적인 정체 현상이 심각하다.

만성적인 소화 장애

— Chronic digestive disorder. Long-term stomach issues.

그녀는 만성적인 소화 장애가 있다.

يُخلط عادةً مع

만성적이다 vs 고질적이다

Often used interchangeably, but '고질적' is more emotional and implies a stubborn, annoying habit or evil.

만성적이다 vs 지속적이다

'지속적' is neutral and can be positive. '만성적' is almost always negative.

만성적이다 vs 관성

Sounds similar but means 'inertia' (physics/habitual momentum), not duration.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"만성병이 되다"

— To become a chronic disease. Used metaphorically for a bad habit.

그의 거짓말은 이제 만성병이 되었다.

Informal
"만성에 젖다"

— To be soaked in chronic-ness. To become too accustomed to a bad situation.

그는 만성에 젖어 더 이상 노력하지 않는다.

Neutral
"만성이 되다"

— To become chronic/habituated. To get used to something bad so it no longer feels strange.

욕을 먹는 것도 이제 만성이 되었다.

Informal
"고질병을 고치다"

— To fix a chronic disease. Often used for fixing a long-standing bad habit.

이번 기회에 지각하는 고질병을 고쳐라.

Neutral
"뿌리를 뽑다"

— To pull out by the roots. Used when trying to solve a chronic problem completely.

만성적인 부패의 뿌리를 뽑아야 한다.

Formal
"밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기"

— Pouring water into a bottomless pot. Describes a chronic problem that consumes resources without end.

만성 적자 기업에 지원하는 것은 밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기다.

Informal
"병을 키우다"

— To grow a disease. To let a problem become chronic by ignoring it.

초기에 치료하지 않으면 병을 키우게 된다.

Neutral
"제 버릇 개 못 준다"

— A dog cannot give away its habit. Used for chronic bad behaviors.

그의 만성적인 도박벽을 보니 제 버릇 개 못 준다더니 딱 맞다.

Slang/Informal
"산 넘어 산"

— Mountain after mountain. Describes a series of chronic problems.

만성 적자에 노사 갈등까지, 산 넘어 산이다.

Informal
"가랑비에 옷 젖는 줄 모른다"

— One doesn't realize their clothes are getting wet in a drizzle. Describes how a chronic small problem becomes big.

만성적인 작은 지출이 가랑비에 옷 젖는 줄 모르게 가산을 탕진한다.

Neutral

سهل الخلط

만성적이다 vs 급성 (Acute)

Opposite meanings.

급성 is sudden and short; 만성 is slow and long.

급성 위염은 갑자기 아프지만 만성 위염은 계속 아파요.

만성적이다 vs 오래되다 (Old)

Both imply time.

오래되다 is just about time; 만성적이다 implies a pathological or problematic state.

오래된 친구 (Old friend) vs 만성적인 질병 (Chronic disease).

만성적이다 vs 자주 (Often)

Both involve repetition.

자주 is frequency; 만성적 is the nature of the condition's duration.

자주 아파요 (I get sick often) vs 만성적으로 아파요 (I am chronically sick).

만성적이다 vs 상습적 (Habitual)

Both involve persistence.

상습적 is usually for actions/crimes; 만성적 is for states/conditions.

상습 도박 (Habitual gambling) vs 만성 피로 (Chronic fatigue).

만성적이다 vs 계속 (Continuous)

Both mean 'keep going'.

계속 is an adverb for action; 만성적 is an adjective for a quality of a state.

계속 공부해요 (Keep studying) vs 만성적인 소화불량 (Chronic indigestion).

أنماط الجُمل

A2

[Noun]은/는 만성적이에요.

제 허리 통증은 만성적이에요.

A2

만성적인 [Noun] 때문에 [Result].

만성적인 피로 때문에 공부를 못 하겠어요.

B1

만성적인 [Noun]에 시달리고 있다.

그는 만성적인 불면증에 시달리고 있다.

B1

만성적으로 [Verb/Adj].

이곳은 만성적으로 물이 부족합니다.

B2

만성적인 [Noun]을/를 해결하기 위해 [Action].

만성적인 적자를 해결하기 위해 구조조정을 했다.

B2

[Noun]이/가 만성화되는 것을 막아야 한다.

갈등이 만성화되는 것을 막아야 한다.

C1

만성적인 [Noun]은/는 [Factor]에서 기인한다.

만성적인 빈곤은 구조적 문제에서 기인한다.

C2

[Noun]의 만성적인 [Noun] 현상이 심화되다.

자본주의의 만성적인 과잉 생산 현상이 심화되다.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

만성 (chronic nature)
만성병 (chronic disease)
만성기 (chronic stage)

الأفعال

만성화되다 (to become chronic)
만성화시키다 (to make something chronic)

الصفات

만성적 (chronic - noun form)
만성적인 (chronic - adnominal)

مرتبط

급성 (acute)
지속 (duration)
고질 (deep-seated)
습관 (habit)
질병 (disease)

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

High in medical and news domains; Medium in daily life.

أخطاء شائعة
  • 만성 친구 오래된 친구

    만성 is only for negative/neutral states or diseases, not relationships.

  • 만성하게 아파요 만성적으로 아파요

    만성 is a Hanja noun, so you use ~적으로 to make it an adverb, not ~하게.

  • 만성 행복 지속적인 행복

    Positive things don't use '만성'.

  • 급성 피로 (when it's long-term) 만성 피로

    Confusing acute (sudden) with chronic (long-term).

  • 만성적인 공부 꾸준한 공부

    Studying is a positive action; use '꾸준한' (consistent) instead.

نصائح

Use it for health

Whenever a symptom lasts more than 3 months, '만성' is the appropriate term to use.

Adjective form

Remember to use '만성적인' before a noun and '만성적이다' at the end of a sentence.

Learn the antonym

Learning '급성' (acute) alongside '만성' will help you remember both faster.

Empathy

Using '만성 피로' is a great way to bond with Korean coworkers over the shared struggle of hard work.

Economic reports

Look for '만성적' in economic news to understand long-term market trends.

Slow turtle

Associate 'Man' with 'Slow' to remember it means long-lasting/chronic.

Sino-Korean roots

Knowing that '적' makes a noun an adjective helps you use this word correctly.

Pali-pali culture

Understand that '만성' is the result of a fast-paced culture that doesn't allow time for rest.

Formal settings

This is a safe word to use in presentations or interviews to describe structural problems.

News keywords

This is a 'keyword' for identifying the main problem in Korean news segments.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of a 'MAN' who is 'SINGing' (seong) for a very long time. He never stops. He is a chronic singer.

ربط بصري

Imagine a turtle (slow - 'man') wearing a doctor's stethoscope. The turtle represents the long-lasting, slow nature of the chronic condition.

Word Web

만성 피로 (Fatigue) 만성 위염 (Gastritis) 만성 적자 (Deficit) 만성 지각 (Tardiness) 만성 스트레스 (Stress) 만성 통증 (Pain) 만성 불면증 (Insomnia) 만성 질환 (Disease)

تحدٍّ

Try to find one '만성적인' habit you have (like drinking coffee or sleeping late) and write a sentence about it using '만성적으로'.

أصل الكلمة

Derived from the Hanja 慢性 (만성). 慢 (man) means slow, sluggish, or negligent. 性 (seong) means nature, character, or quality. Together, they describe a 'slow-moving nature.'

المعنى الأصلي: A medical term describing an illness that develops slowly and lasts for a long time.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

السياق الثقافي

When using it to describe someone's habits (like tardiness), it can sound quite critical, as it implies the behavior is a 'disease' or unfixable.

While 'chronic' in English is often used for diseases or weed, in Korean, '만성적' is used more broadly for any persistent societal or economic failure.

The 'Chronic Fatigue' (만성피로) song/jingle from famous commercials. News headlines often use '만성적인 무역 적자' when discussing Korea's export-reliant economy. K-Dramas like 'Hospital Playlist' frequently use '만성' when diagnosing patients.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

At the Hospital

  • 만성 위염이에요.
  • 만성적인 통증이 있어요.
  • 이게 만성인가요?
  • 만성 질환 관리.

In the News

  • 만성적인 무역 적자.
  • 만성적인 인력 부족.
  • 만성적인 교통난.
  • 만성적인 불황.

At Work

  • 만성적인 야근.
  • 만성적인 스트레스.
  • 만성적인 시스템 오류.
  • 만성적인 예산 부족.

Personal Habits

  • 만성적인 지각.
  • 만성적인 게으름.
  • 만성적인 불면증.
  • 만성적으로 늦다.

Environmental Issues

  • 만성적인 가뭄.
  • 만성적인 수질 오염.
  • 만성적인 전력 부족.
  • 만성적인 가뭄 대책.

بدايات محادثة

"요즘 만성 피로 때문에 너무 힘들어요. 어떻게 하면 좋을까요?"

"우리 동네는 만성적인 주차난이 정말 심각해요. 그쪽은 어때요?"

"한국 사회의 만성적인 저출산 문제에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"만성적인 스트레스를 해소하는 본인만의 방법이 있나요?"

"회사에서 만성적으로 발생하는 업무 지연 문제를 어떻게 해결해야 할까요?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

내가 가진 만성적인 습관 중 하나를 적어보고, 그것을 고칠 수 있는 방법을 생각해보세요.

최근 뉴스에서 본 만성적인 사회 문제에 대해 자신의 의견을 서술하세요.

만성 피로를 느꼈던 경험과 그때 어떻게 회복했는지에 대해 써보세요.

만약 우리 사회의 만성적인 갈등이 해결된다면 어떤 모습일지 상상해 보세요.

만성적인 질병을 앓고 있는 사람들에게 해주고 싶은 위로의 말을 적어보세요.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, that would sound like your friend is a disease! Use '오래된 친구' instead.

In a medical context, it is '급성이다' (acute). In a general context, '일시적이다' (temporary) works.

Yes, it is very common in Korea to describe long-term exhaustion.

Yes, it is a formal and professional word to describe a recurring issue.

Use '만성적으로'. For example, '만성적으로 피곤해요' (I am chronically tired).

Not necessarily, but it implies it is very hard to fix and has been there a long time.

It is 慢性 (Slow + Nature).

Rarely. It almost always has a negative or neutral-negative connotation.

'만성' is the noun (chronic nature), '만성적' is the adjective/relative form.

'만성적이다' is more common for health and economics; '고질적이다' is more common for social issues and bad habits.

اختبر نفسك 180 أسئلة

writing

Write a sentence using '만성 피로'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'This problem is chronic.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Describe a bad habit using '만성적인'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Chronic back pain'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Use '만성적으로' in a sentence about sleep.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Chronic unemployment'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about a company's deficit.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Chronic stress is bad for health.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Describe a city's traffic using '만성적인'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'It became a chronic disease.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write about chronic water shortage.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Chronic system error'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Use '만성적이다' in a formal way.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Suffering from chronic gastritis'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence about chronic loneliness.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Chronic budget shortage'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Use '만성적으로' to describe working late.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Chronic inflammation'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Describe a chronic social issue.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'Chronic insomnia treatment'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'I have chronic fatigue.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'This is a chronic problem.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'I suffer from chronic insomnia.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Traffic is chronically bad here.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Is your back pain chronic?'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'We need to solve the chronic deficit.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Modern people have chronic stress.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'His lateness is chronic.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'The company has a chronic labor shortage.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Chronic inflammation is dangerous.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'I'm chronically short on time.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Chronic diseases require management.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'The drought has become chronic.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'I have chronic gastritis symptoms.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'This system error is chronic.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Chronic loneliness is a social problem.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'We are suffering from chronic water shortage.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Chronic low growth is concerning.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'My laziness is now chronic.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say: 'Chronic anxiety is hard to deal with.'

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성 피로 (Man-seong pi-ro)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성적인 적자 (Man-seong-jeok-in jeok-ja)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성 위염 (Man-seong wi-yeom)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성적으로 (Man-seong-jeok-eu-ro)'. What form is this?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성 질환 (Man-seong jil-hwan)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성적인 지각 (Man-seong-jeok-in ji-gak)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성 스트레스 (Man-seong seu-teu-re-seu)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성적인 가뭄 (Man-seong-jeok-in ga-mum)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성 불면증 (Man-seong bul-myeon-jeung)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성적인 부족 (Man-seong-jeok-in bu-jok)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '급성 (Geup-seong)'. Is this chronic?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성 통증 (Man-seong tong-jeung)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성적인 문제 (Man-seong-jeok-in mun-je)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성적인 실업 (Man-seong-jeok-in sil-eop)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and identify: '만성적인 불안 (Man-seong-jeok-in bul-an)'. What is it?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

محتوى ذو صلة

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