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B2 verb #4,500 پرکاربردترین 9 دقیقه مطالعه

악화하다

رتبه 4,500

تمرین کن مثال‌ها نکات و راهنمایی‌ها 악화하다 در ۳۰ ثانیه

توضیح 악화하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '악화하다' might be too difficult. Instead, students usually learn '나빠요' (is bad) or '안 좋아요' (is not good). You use these simple words to say the weather is bad or you feel sick. '악화하다' is a big word that adults use for serious problems. Think of it as 'Super Bad Change'. If you see this word, just remember it means something is changing from 'bad' to 'very bad'. It's like when your small cold becomes a big fever. For now, focus on '나빠지다', but keep '악화' in your mind for when you read the news later.

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At A2, you are starting to see 'Hada' verbs that come from Chinese characters (Hanja). '악화하다' is one of them. You might see it in a short news clip or a doctor's note in a textbook. It means 'to get worse'. While you would still say '기분이 나빠요' (I feel bad), you might start to understand '상태가 악화됐어요' (The condition got worse). It's important to notice that this word is for 'states' or 'conditions'. If your grades go down or your leg hurts more, this word fits. It's a step up from '나빠지다' and makes you sound more like a serious student.

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At the B1 level, you should begin using '악화하다' in your writing, especially for formal tasks. If you are writing about the environment or the economy, '나빠지다' sounds a bit too simple. '악화하다' provides the necessary formality. You should also learn the causative form '악화시키다' (to make worse). For example, 'Smoking makes health worse' (흡연은 건강을 악화시킨다). This shows you can handle more complex sentence structures. You will hear this word often in intermediate listening materials, especially those involving news reports or interviews about social issues.

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At B2, you are expected to use '악화하다' fluently in appropriate contexts. You should understand that it's a processive verb and use it to describe deteriorating situations in business, medicine, and society. You should be able to distinguish it from '퇴보하다' (regress) or '변질되다' (corrupt). At this level, you should also be familiar with common collocations like '기상 악화' (worsening weather) and '관계 악화' (worsening relations). You can use this word to add nuance to your arguments, showing that a situation isn't just 'bad' but is actively 'declining'.

At the C1 level, '악화하다' is a basic tool in your high-level vocabulary. You should use it in academic essays and professional debates. You should be comfortable with idiomatic expressions like '악화 일로를 걷다' (to be on a worsening path). You also understand the subtle difference between the active '악화하다' and the passive '악화되다' in formal literature. You can use this word to describe abstract concepts like 'the worsening of human rights' or 'the deterioration of democratic values'. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's Hanja roots and its stylistic weight in different registers of Korean.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over '악화하다'. You can use it with perfect precision, even in highly specialized fields like law, advanced medicine, or philosophy. You understand how it interacts with other complex Hanja terms and can use it to create sophisticated rhetorical effects. You might use it to describe the 'entropy' of a system or the 'degeneration' of a historical era. You are also aware of its historical usage and can identify when an author uses it to evoke a specific tone. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a building block for complex, nuanced thought in Korean.

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تمرین کن مثال‌ها نکات و راهنمایی‌ها

악화하다 در ۳۰ ثانیه

악화하다 means 'to worsen' or 'deteriorate' in a formal or serious context.
It comes from Hanja: 惡 (bad) and 化 (change), meaning a change for the worse.
It is commonly applied to health, the economy, weather, and interpersonal relationships.
The causative form '악화시키다' is used when someone or something makes a situation worse.

The Korean verb 악화하다 (akhwahada) is a sophisticated term used to describe the process of a situation, condition, or relationship becoming progressively worse. Rooted in Hanja (Chinese characters), the word is composed of 惡 (악), meaning 'evil' or 'bad', and 化 (화), meaning 'to change' or 'to become'. When combined, it literally translates to 'changing for the worse.' While English speakers might use simple words like 'get worse' in most contexts, Korean speakers prefer 악화하다 in formal, medical, economic, or serious interpersonal discussions to convey a sense of gravity and structural decline.

Medical Context: In healthcare settings, physicians use this word to describe a patient's declining health. If a minor infection turns into a serious condition, the state of the illness is said to have '악화'd. It suggests a downward trajectory that requires immediate attention.
Economic and Social Context: News reports frequently use this term to describe market crashes, rising unemployment, or diplomatic tensions. It implies that the systemic foundations are weakening, making it a staple of journalistic and academic Korean.
Interpersonal Relationships: When two friends have a misunderstanding that leads to a full-blown conflict, their relationship is described as having worsened. It captures the transition from a stable state to one filled with friction and hostility.

환자의 상태가 갑자기 악화하다 보니 의료진이 비상에 걸렸다.

Translation: As the patient's condition suddenly worsened, the medical team went on high alert.

Understanding the nuance of 악화하다 requires recognizing its weight. It is not used for trivial things like a bad taste in food; rather, it is reserved for 'states of being' that have significant consequences. For instance, if the weather turns from sunny to slightly cloudy, you wouldn't use this word. However, if a storm develops into a life-threatening hurricane, 악화하다 is perfectly appropriate. This distinction is crucial for learners aiming for the B2 level and above, as it demonstrates an ability to distinguish between simple adjectives and formal process-oriented verbs.

양국 간의 관계가 더욱 악화하다 못해 결국 국교 단절에 이르렀다.

Translation: The relationship between the two countries worsened so much that it eventually led to the severance of diplomatic ties.

Furthermore, the word often appears in the form '악화시키다' (to make something worse). This causative form is used when an external factor or a specific person's action causes the deterioration. For example, '스트레스가 병을 악화시키다' (Stress makes the illness worse). Distinguishing between the state changing (악화하다/되다) and someone making it change (악화시키다) is a key milestone in mastering Korean verb patterns.

대기 오염이 날로 악화하다 보니 마스크 착용이 일상이 되었다.

Translation: As air pollution worsens day by day, wearing masks has become a daily routine.

Using 악화하다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a processive verb. Unlike '나쁘다' (to be bad), which is a descriptive adjective, '악화하다' describes a transition over time. It is frequently paired with nouns like '상태' (condition), '상황' (situation), '관계' (relationship), and '건강' (health). Because it describes a change, it is often found in the present progressive (-고 있다) or the past tense (-었다).

Subject-Verb Agreement: The subject of '악화하다' is usually an abstract noun representing a state. You wouldn't say 'The person worsened' (사람이 악화했다), but rather 'The person's health worsened' (사람의 건강이 악화했다). This focus on the 'state' rather than the 'entity' is a hallmark of formal Korean.
Adverbial Pairings: To describe the speed or intensity of the worsening, use adverbs like '급격히' (rapidly), '점차' (gradually), or '더욱' (even more). These help specify the nature of the decline.

경제 위기로 인해 서민들의 삶의 질이 악화하다.

Translation: The quality of life for the common people worsens due to the economic crisis.

In written reports, you will often see the noun form 악화 paired with the verb 일로 (illo), which means 'a path' or 'a trend'. The phrase '악화 일로를 걷다' (to walk the path of worsening) is a very common idiom meaning that a situation is steadily going downhill with no signs of improvement. This is a high-level expression that will make your Korean sound extremely natural and professional.

노사 갈등이 해결되지 않아 상황이 악화하다 못해 파업에 이르렀다.

Translation: The labor-management conflict was not resolved, so the situation worsened to the point of a strike.

무분별한 개발로 인해 자연 환경이 악화하다.

Translation: The natural environment worsens due to indiscriminate development.

Finally, remember that 악화하다 is almost exclusively used for negative developments. While 'change' (변화) can be positive or negative, '악화' is inherently negative. If you want to say something is getting better, you must use the antonym 호전되다 (hojeondoeda) or 개선되다 (gaeseondoeda). Mixing these up can lead to significant confusion in professional communication.

You are most likely to encounter 악화하다 in formal settings where precise language is required. It is a 'serious' word. You won't hear a child complaining that their ice cream is '악화'ing as it melts; they would just say it's 'melting' or 'getting messy'. However, in adult life, this word appears in several key domains.

The Evening News (뉴스): News anchors use this word daily. 'The weather conditions are worsening' (기상 조건이 악화하고 있습니다) or 'The stock market environment is worsening' (증시 환경이 악화하고 있습니다). It provides a neutral but grave tone to the reporting.
Medical Dramas (의학 드라마): In shows like 'Hospital Playlist' or 'Dr. Romantic', doctors frequently shout 'The patient's condition is worsening!' (환자 상태 악화 중입니다!) to signal a crisis. It is the standard medical term for clinical deterioration.
Business Meetings (비즈니스 회의): If a project is failing or a partnership is souring, a manager might say 'The current situation is worsening, so we need a new plan' (현재 상황이 악화하고 있으니 대책이 필요합니다). It sounds more professional than saying things are 'becoming bad'.

기상 악화로 인해 모든 항공편이 결항되었습니다.

Translation: Due to worsening weather conditions, all flights have been canceled.

In written form, look for it in newspaper editorials, government white papers, and academic journals. It is especially common in the 'Conclusion' or 'Problem Statement' sections of research papers. If you are reading a Korean novel, the author might use 악화하다 to describe the deteriorating mental state of a character or the decaying atmosphere of a setting, adding a layer of literary weight to the description.

치안이 악화하다 보니 밤늦게 돌아다니는 사람이 줄었다.

Translation: As public safety worsened, the number of people wandering late at night decreased.

To sound like a native, try using this word when discussing global issues or serious personal health. Instead of saying 'My cold got worse' as '감기가 더 나빠졌어요', try '감기 증상이 악화했어요' to sound more precise and educated. This shift in vocabulary is exactly what separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers.

While 악화하다 is a powerful word, it is frequently misused by learners. The most common error is confusing it with its passive or causative counterparts, or using it in contexts that are too casual. Because Korean has distinct forms for 'to become', 'to do', and 'to make', learners often trip over the suffixes attached to the root '악화'.

Confusing 악화하다 with 악화시키다: '악화하다' (or '악화되다') is used when the subject is the thing getting worse. '악화시키다' is used when the subject is the cause.
Wrong: '스트레스가 건강을 악화해요.' (Stress worsens health - grammatically awkward)
Right: '스트레스가 건강을 악화시켜요.' (Stress makes health worse.)
Overusing it for Trivial Matters: Using '악화하다' for a bad mood or a minor inconvenience sounds overly dramatic. If you missed the bus and are slightly annoyed, don't say your '기분' (mood) has '악화'd. Use '안 좋아졌어요' instead. Save '악화' for clinical depression or long-term emotional decline.

잘못된 사용: 내 기분이 악화했다.
올바른 사용: 환자의 병세가 악화했다.

Explanation: The first sentence sounds like a medical report for a simple mood change. The second is the appropriate use for a patient's condition.

Another mistake is forgetting that 악화 is a noun that can also stand alone. Learners often try to conjugate it as if it were a purely native Korean verb. Remember that it's a Hanja-based 'Hada' verb. This means the 'Hada' part carries all the tense and politeness markers. Also, be careful with the spelling; '악화' (worsening) is often confused by beginners with '악화' (bad currency/bad coins) in very specific economic historical contexts (like Gresham's Law), though this is rare.

수질 오염이 심해지면서 생태계가 악화하다.

Translation: As water pollution worsens, the ecosystem deteriorates.

Finally, watch out for the 'Double Negative' trap. Since '악화' is already negative, you don't need to add other negative verbs like '안 좋다' to it. '악화해서 안 좋아요' is redundant. Simply saying '상황이 악화했습니다' is sufficient to convey that the situation is bad and getting worse.

To truly master 악화하다, you need to know its neighbors. Korean has many ways to say 'getting worse,' each with a different 'flavor' or level of formality. Choosing the right one depends on whether you're talking to a friend, writing an essay, or giving a medical report.

나빠지다 (Nappajida): This is the most common, everyday version of 'to get worse'. It's the 'go-to' word for casual conversations.
Example: '날씨가 나빠졌어요' (The weather got bad).
퇴보하다 (Toebohada): Specifically means 'to regress' or 'to take a step backward'. It's used for skills, civilization, or social progress.
Example: '민주주의가 퇴보하다' (Democracy is regressing).
변질되다 (Byeonjildoeda): Means to 'deteriorate in quality' or 'become corrupted'. Often used for food going bad or an original idea losing its purity.
Example: '초심이 변질되다' (The original intention became corrupted).

상황이 악화하다 (Formal/Serious) vs. 상황이 나빠지다 (Casual/Common).

When you want to emphasize that something is reaching its worst point, you might use 최악 (Choe-ak), which means 'the worst'. For example, '최악의 상황' (the worst-case scenario). On the flip side, if you are looking for the antonyms (words that mean 'getting better'), you should learn 호전되다 (hojeondoeda) for health and 개선되다 (gaeseondoeda) for systems and situations.

그의 건강 상태는 악화하다 못해 이제는 거동조차 힘들다.

Translation: His health worsened so much that he can't even move now.

In summary, while '나빠지다' is your reliable multi-tool, '악화하다' is your specialized surgical instrument. Use it when the stakes are high and the context is professional. This linguistic precision will show that you understand not just the meaning of Korean words, but the social and cultural weight they carry.

چقدر رسمی است؟

نکته جالب

The character 惡 can also be pronounced 'o' (오) when it means 'to hate' (as in '증오' - hatred), but in '악화', it always means 'bad'.

راهنمای تلفظ

UK akʰwahada

US akʰwahada

Stress is evenly distributed, but the second syllable 'hwa' (화) may feel slightly more emphasized due to the aspiration.

هم‌قافیه با

변화하다 (byeonhwahada) 소화하다 (sohwahada) 강화하다 (ganghwahada) 정화하다 (jeonghwahada) 완화하다 (wanhwahada) 특화하다 (teukhwahada) 노화하다 (nohwahada) 부화하다 (buhwahada)

خطاهای رایج

Pronouncing it as 'ak-ha-ha-da' without the liaison.
Forgetting the aspiration, making it sound like 'akwa-hada'.
Over-emphasizing the 'ak' sound too harshly.
Muddling the 'hwa' sound into a simple 'ha'.
Pronouncing '악' with a release of air before the '화'.

سطح دشواری

خواندن 4/5

Common in newspapers and formal texts. Requires Hanja knowledge for deep understanding.

نوشتن 5/5

Choosing between '악화하다', '악화되다', and '악화시키다' is tricky for learners.

صحبت کردن 4/5

Used in serious discussions; sounds very professional if used correctly.

گوش دادن 3/5

The liaison 'ak-hwa' -> 'a-khwa' is a standard phonetic rule.

بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟

پیش‌نیازها

나쁘다 변화 상태 상황 하다

بعداً یاد بگیرید

호전되다 개선하다 완화하다 심화되다 초래하다

پیشرفته

악순환 (vicious cycle) 악재 (bad news/factor) 악화일로 (worsening path)

گرامر لازم

Causative -시키다

상황을 악화시키다.

Passive -되다

상황이 악화되다.

Reason -아/어서

건강이 악화해서 쉬어야 해요.

Intent -으려면

관계를 악화시키지 않으려면...

Change of state -아/어지다

나빠지다 (related concept).

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مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

날씨가 나빠졌어요.

The weather got bad.

A1 alternative using '나빠지다'.

감기가 심해졌어요.

The cold became severe.

A1 alternative using '심해지다'.

몸이 안 좋아요.

I don't feel well.

Simple negative expression.

기분이 안 좋아요.

I'm in a bad mood.

Simple 'not good' structure.

상황이 나빠요.

The situation is bad.

Basic adjective use.

병이 더 커졌어요.

The illness got bigger (worse).

Simple metaphor for worsening.

관계가 나빠졌어요.

The relationship got bad.

Basic 'get bad' with '관계'.

길이 더 복잡해졌어요.

The road became more complicated.

Using 'more' with an adjective.

환자의 상태가 악화되었습니다.

The patient's condition has worsened.

Formal passive form '-되었습니다'.

기상 악화로 배가 안 떠요.

The boat isn't leaving due to worsening weather.

Noun form '악화' used as a reason.

병이 악화하기 전에 병원에 가세요.

Go to the hospital before the illness worsens.

'-기 전에' (before doing) pattern.

공기가 점점 악화하고 있어요.

The air is gradually worsening.

Present progressive '-고 있다'.

관계가 악화해서 슬퍼요.

I'm sad because the relationship worsened.

Reasoning with '-아서/어서'.

경제가 악화하면 힘들어요.

If the economy worsens, it's hard.

Conditional '-면'.

수질이 악화한 강에는 물고기가 없어요.

There are no fish in the river where water quality has worsened.

Noun modifying form '-한'.

증상이 악화하면 약을 드세요.

If symptoms worsen, take medicine.

Simple conditional with '증상'.

잘못된 습관은 건강을 악화시킨다.

Bad habits make health worse.

Causative form '악화시키다'.

두 나라의 관계가 급격히 악화했다.

The relationship between the two countries worsened rapidly.

Adverb '급격히' (rapidly).

환경 오염이 지구의 상태를 악화하고 있다.

Environmental pollution is worsening the Earth's condition.

Transitive use with object '지구의 상태'.

치안이 악화하여 주민들이 불안해한다.

Residents are anxious as public safety has worsened.

Psychological verb '-해하다'.

부족한 잠은 집중력을 악화시킬 수 있다.

Lack of sleep can worsen concentration.

Potential form '-ㄹ 수 있다'.

상황이 악화하기만 해서 걱정이다.

I'm worried because the situation is only worsening.

'-기만 하다' (only doing).

경제 지표가 악화했다는 소식이 들린다.

News is heard that economic indicators have worsened.

Indirect quotation '-는다는 소식'.

관계를 악화시키지 않으려면 대화가 필요하다.

To not worsen the relationship, conversation is needed.

Purpose clause '-으려면'.

정치적 갈등이 사회적 혼란을 악화하고 있다.

Political conflict is worsening social chaos.

B2 level abstract nouns.

기존의 질병이 합병증으로 인해 악화했다.

The existing disease worsened due to complications.

Medical term '합병증' (complication).

기업의 재무 구조가 급속도로 악화하고 있다.

The company's financial structure is worsening rapidly.

Business term '재무 구조'.

무분별한 개발이 생태계를 악화하는 주범이다.

Indiscriminate development is the main culprit in worsening the ecosystem.

Metaphorical noun '주범' (main culprit).

적절한 조치가 없으면 사태가 더욱 악화할 것이다.

Without proper measures, the situation will worsen further.

Future tense with condition.

스트레스는 만성 질환을 악화시키는 요인이다.

Stress is a factor that worsens chronic diseases.

Noun modifying causative form.

양국의 외교 관계가 악화 일로를 걷고 있다.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries are on a worsening path.

Idiomatic expression '악화 일로를 걷다'.

대기 질의 악화는 호흡기 질환을 유발한다.

The worsening of air quality causes respiratory diseases.

Noun form '악화' as a subject.

인권 상황의 악화는 국제적인 비난을 초래했다.

The worsening of the human rights situation brought about international condemnation.

Advanced verb '초래하다' (bring about).

빈부 격차의 심화는 계층 간 갈등을 악화한다.

The deepening gap between rich and poor worsens conflicts between classes.

Sociological terms '빈부 격차', '계층'.

정보의 왜곡이 여론을 악화시키는 결과를 낳았다.

The distortion of information resulted in worsening public opinion.

Resultative expression '결과를 낳다'.

기후 변화로 인해 식량 안보 문제가 악화하고 있다.

Food security issues are worsening due to climate change.

Specialized term '식량 안보' (food security).

정부의 무능이 사태를 더욱 악화했다는 비판이 있다.

There is criticism that the government's incompetence worsened the situation further.

Noun clause with '비판' (criticism).

시장 불확실성이 투자 심리를 급격히 악화했다.

Market uncertainty has rapidly worsened investment sentiment.

Economic term '투자 심리'.

민주주의의 퇴보와 함께 언론 자유도 악화했다.

Along with the regression of democracy, press freedom also worsened.

Parallel structure with '퇴보' (regression).

기저 질환이 있는 환자에게 코로나19는 상태를 악화하는 치명적인 요인이었다.

For patients with underlying diseases, COVID-19 was a fatal factor that worsened their condition.

Complex sentence with '기저 질환' (underlying disease).

거시 경제적 불안정성이 실물 경제의 침체를 악화하고 있다.

Macroeconomic instability is worsening the stagnation of the real economy.

Academic economic terminology.

문화적 정체성의 상실은 공동체의 결속력을 악화하는 결과를 가져온다.

The loss of cultural identity results in the worsening of community cohesion.

Philosophical/Sociological depth.

사법 제도의 불신은 법치주의의 근간을 악화할 우려가 있다.

Distrust in the judicial system risks worsening the very foundation of the rule of law.

High-level abstract reasoning.

무분별한 기술 만능주의는 인간 소외 현상을 악화할 수 있다.

Indiscriminate technological omnipotence can worsen the phenomenon of human alienation.

Complex compound Hanja words.

국제 사회의 제재가 오히려 인도적 위기를 악화했다는 논란이 일고 있다.

Controversy is arising that international sanctions actually worsened the humanitarian crisis.

Nuanced political debate.

생태계의 비가역적 변화는 인류의 생존 환경을 악화하는 결정적 요인이다.

Irreversible changes in the ecosystem are decisive factors in worsening the survival environment of mankind.

Scientific/Existential context.

권력의 집중은 부패를 고착화하고 투명성을 악화한다.

The concentration of power solidifies corruption and worsens transparency.

Political science analysis.

언어의 오염은 사고의 명료성을 악화하는 근본적인 원인이 된다.

The pollution of language becomes a fundamental cause in worsening the clarity of thought.

Linguistic philosophy.

مترادف‌ها

나빠지다 쇠퇴하다 타락하다 심해지다

متضادها

개선하다 호전되다 나아지다

ترکیب‌های رایج

상태가 악화하다

관계가 악화하다

경제가 악화하다

기상이 악화하다

증상이 악화하다

환경이 악화하다

수지가 악화하다

여론이 악화하다

상황을 악화시키다

병세가 악화하다

عبارات رایج

악화 일로

— A path of steady worsening. Used to describe a situation that only gets worse.

상황은 악화 일로를 걷고 있다.

기상 악화

— Worsening weather conditions. A standard term in travel announcements.

기상 악화로 결항입니다.

관계 악화

— Deterioration of a relationship. Used for both personal and international ties.

두 사람의 관계 악화가 심각하다.

건강 악화

— Deterioration of health. Often used in news about famous people.

건강 악화로 활동을 중단했다.

상황 악화

— The worsening of a situation. A general formal term.

상황 악화를 막아야 한다.

증세 악화

— Worsening of medical symptoms.

증세 악화로 입원했다.

수질 악화

— Worsening of water quality.

수질 악화로 어패류가 폐사했다.

대기 악화

— Worsening of air quality.

대기 악화가 심각한 수준이다.

재정 악화

— Worsening of financial status.

회사의 재정 악화가 지속되고 있다.

치안 악화

— Worsening of public security/safety.

치안 악화로 주민들이 불안해한다.

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

악화하다 vs 악화 (Bad Currency)

Same spelling, but refers to 'bad money' in economic history (Gresham's Law).

악화하다 vs 약화하다

Means 'to weaken' (弱化). Sounds similar but '악화' is about getting worse/bad, while '약화' is about losing strength.

악화하다 vs 격화되다

Means 'to intensify' (often in a bad way like a conflict), but focuses on intensity rather than just deterioration.

اصطلاحات و عبارات

"악화 일로를 걷다"

— To be on a downward spiral or a path of continuous worsening.

경제 상황이 악화 일로를 걷고 있다.

Formal/Journalistic

"불에 기름을 붓다"

— To pour oil on a fire (to make a bad situation even worse).

그의 말은 악화된 상황에 불에 기름을 붓는 격이었다.

Informal/Idiomatic

"설상가상"

— Snow on top of frost (one bad thing after another).

설상가상으로 건강까지 악화했다.

Literary/Hanja

"엎친 데 덮친 격"

— Being knocked down and then stepped on (bad things happening consecutively).

엎친 데 덮친 격으로 상황이 악화했다.

Common

"갈 데까지 가다"

— To go as far as one can go (often implying a situation has worsened to the limit).

관계가 갈 데까지 가서 악화했다.

Informal

"벼랑 끝에 서다"

— To stand on the edge of a cliff (to be in a desperate, worsening situation).

회사가 재정 악화로 벼랑 끝에 섰다.

Metaphorical

"밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기"

— Pouring water into a bottomless pot (worsening despite efforts to fix it).

상황 악화를 막으려 했지만 밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기였다.

Proverb

"산 넘어 산"

— Mountain after mountain (facing worsening obstacles).

상황이 악화하니 산 넘어 산이다.

Common

"파국으로 치닫다"

— To rush toward a catastrophe/breakdown.

관계가 악화하여 파국으로 치닫고 있다.

Formal

"사면초가"

— Surrounded by enemies on four sides (a worsening, helpless situation).

재정 악화로 사면초가의 위기에 빠졌다.

Hanja

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

악화하다 vs 나빠지다

Both mean 'to get worse'.

'나빠지다' is for general daily use. '악화하다' is formal and implies a more serious or structural decline.

시력이 나빠지다 vs. 병세가 악화하다.

악화하다 vs 심해지다

Both describe a negative thing increasing.

'심해지다' means 'to become severe'. '악화하다' means the 'state' has become 'bad'.

통증이 심해지다 vs. 건강이 악화하다.

악화하다 vs 약화하다

Similar pronunciation.

'약화' is weakening (power/strength). '악화' is worsening (quality/state).

권력이 약화하다 vs. 관계가 악화하다.

악화하다 vs 퇴보하다

Both involve a negative change.

'퇴보' is specifically about moving backward or losing progress. '악화' is about a state becoming bad.

문명이 퇴보하다 vs. 상황이 악화하다.

악화하다 vs 변질되다

Both involve getting worse.

'변질' is about losing original quality or rotting. '악화' is about the overall situation getting worse.

우유가 변질되다 vs. 수질이 악화하다.

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

N이/가 악화되다

건강이 악화되었습니다.

N을/를 악화시키다

담배는 건강을 악화시킵니다.

N의 악화로 인해

기상 악화로 인해 결항되었습니다.

악화하기 시작하다

상황이 악화하기 시작했습니다.

악화 일로를 걷다

경제가 악화 일로를 걷고 있다.

악화할 우려가 있다

사태가 악화할 우려가 큽니다.

N의 악화가 초래한 N

관계의 악화가 초래한 비극.

악화하다 못해

악화하다 못해 파국에 이르렀다.

خانواده کلمه

اسم‌ها

악화 (deterioration)

악화책 (a measure that makes things worse)

فعل‌ها

악화되다 (to be worsened)

악화시키다 (to make worse)

صفت‌ها

악화된 (worsened)

مرتبط

악성 (malignant)

화하다 (to become)

최악 (the worst)

악영향 (bad influence)

악조건 (bad condition)

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نحوه استفاده

frequency

High in news, medical, and business contexts; Medium in daily conversation.

اشتباهات رایج

기분이 악화했어요. → 기분이 나빠졌어요.
Using '악화하다' for mood is too formal/dramatic.
스트레스가 병을 악화했어요. → 스트레스가 병을 악화시켰어요.
You need the causative '시키다' because stress is causing the worsening.
상황이 악화하게 됐어요. → 상황이 악화되었어요.
'악화하다' already implies a change of state; adding '-게 되다' is redundant.
날씨가 악화해요. → 기상이 악화하고 있어요.
건강이 개선하지 않고 악화했어요. → 건강이 호전되지 않고 악화했어요.
'개선' is for systems; '호전' is the correct antonym for health.

نکات

Formal Writing

When writing an essay for TOPIK, use '악화' to describe social problems. It shows you have an advanced vocabulary level.

Causative vs. Intransitive

Remember: N이 악화하다 (Something worsens) vs. N이 N을 악화시키다 (Something worsens something).

Natural Speech

In daily life, prefer '나빠지다'. If you use '악화하다' with your friends, they might think you are acting like a news anchor!

Phonetic Liaison

The 'ㄱ' in '악' moves to the 'ㅎ' in '화', making it sound like '아콰' (a-khwa).

Hanja Roots

Learning 惡 (bad) and 化 (change) will help you understand many other words like '변화' (change) and '악영향' (bad influence).

Medical Context

If a doctor says '상태가 악화되었습니다', it's a serious sign. It's the standard way to say a patient is getting worse.

Professionalism

In a meeting, use '경영 악화' or '재정 악화' to talk about company problems. It sounds much more professional than '회사가 안 좋아요'.

Travel Warning

Look for '기상 악화' on airport screens. It's the most common way to announce delays due to weather.

Newspapers

You will see this word in almost every newspaper. It's a key word for understanding Korean current events.

Mnemonic

Link 'Ak' to a scream of pain. When things go 'Ak', they are '악화'ing!

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Think of 'AK' (like the sound of a cough) + 'Hwa' (like 'fire'). A bad cough (AK) near a fire (Hwa) will surely make your health '악화' (worsen)!

تداعی تصویری

Imagine a red graph line pointing sharply downwards into a dark pit.

شبکه واژگان

건강 (health) 경제 (economy) 관계 (relationship) 날씨 (weather) 상태 (condition) 나쁘다 (bad) 변화 (change) 병원 (hospital)

چالش

Try to use '악화하다' or '악화시키다' three times today when reading news headlines or describing a problem.

ریشه کلمه

Derived from the Hanja characters 惡 (악) and 化 (화).

معنای اصلی: 惡 means bad, evil, or ugly. 化 means to change, transform, or become. Together: to become bad.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-eo).

بافت فرهنگی

When using this word about someone's health, use it with a serious and respectful tone. Avoid using it lightly about others' personal failures.

English speakers might use 'deteriorate' in formal contexts, but in casual speech, they just say 'get worse'. Korean uses '악화하다' slightly more frequently in semi-formal settings than English uses 'deteriorate'.

News headlines during the 1997 IMF crisis frequently used '경제 악화'. Medical K-dramas use it as a 'code blue' style alert for patients. Environmental campaigns use it to describe the 'Hwang-sa' (yellow dust) situation.

تمرین در زندگی واقعی

موقعیت‌های واقعی

Hospital/Clinic

상태가 악화되었습니다.
증상이 악화하면 오세요.
병세가 악화하기 전.
건강 악화 우려.

Airport/Travel

기상 악화로 결항.
상황이 악화되어 지연.
기상 악화 통보.
날씨 악화 예상.

Business/Economy

경영 악화로 구조조정.
경제 상황 악화.
재정 상태 악화.
시장 환경 악화.

Politics/Diplomacy

관계가 악화하다.
여론 악화.
갈등 악화.
정세 악화.

Environment

수질 악화.
대기 질 악화.
환경 악화.
생태계 악화.

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

"최근에 건강이 악화한 적이 있나요?"

"기상 악화 때문에 여행이 취소된 적이 있어요?"

"두 나라의 관계가 왜 악화했다고 생각하세요?"

"스트레스가 업무 효율을 악화시킨다고 보시나요?"

"경제 상황이 악화할 때 어떻게 대비하시나요?"

موضوعات نگارش

내 삶에서 상황이 악화했을 때 어떻게 극복했는지 써 보세요.

환경 오염이 악화하는 것을 막기 위해 우리가 할 수 있는 일은 무엇일까요?

친구와의 관계가 악화했을 때 대화로 해결한 경험이 있나요?

건강이 악화하지 않도록 내가 실천하고 있는 습관들에 대해 적어 보세요.

뉴스를 보고 최근 가장 악화하고 있다고 생각하는 사회 문제는 무엇인지 써 보세요.

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

In modern Korean, '악화되다' (passive) is much more common in speech to describe a situation that gets worse. '악화하다' is more formal and often used in writing. However, they are often interchangeable.

It sounds a bit too dramatic. For a bad mood, it is better to use '기분이 안 좋아졌어요' or '기분이 나빠졌어요'.

Yes, it always describes a change for the worse. You cannot use it for a positive change.

Use the causative form '악화시키다'. For example, 'Don't make the situation worse' is '상황을 악화시키지 마세요'.

Yes, it is a very common word in TOPIK II (Intermediate/Advanced) reading and listening sections, especially in news-related questions.

The most formal opposite is '호전되다' (to improve - health/situation) or '개선되다' (to be improved - system/environment).

Yes, '기상 악화' is the standard formal term for worsening weather conditions.

Yes, it is the closest equivalent to 'deteriorate' or 'exacerbate' in English.

It is a verb (processive), as it describes a change or process over time.

Usually, we use '상하다' or '변질되다' for food. '악화하다' is for more abstract or systemic things like 'water quality' or 'environment'.

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