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A2 noun #8,000 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

과로

gwaro Top 8,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 과로 en 30 secondes

Explication 과로 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '과로' (overwork) in complex ways. You can think of it as a very strong version of '피곤해요' (I am tired) specifically for when you work too much. You might hear it in simple sentences like '과로하지 마세요' (Don't work too hard). At this stage, focus on recognizing the word in the context of office or school settings. It is a noun, but you can add '하다' to make it a verb. Even if you don't use it yourself, understanding that it means 'working too much' will help you understand when your Korean friends or teachers are talking about being very busy and tired. It's often used when someone looks sick or very exhausted because of their job or studies.

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At the A2 level, you can start using '과로' to explain why you are tired or why someone else might be sick. You should learn the basic pattern '과로로' which means 'because of overwork.' For example, '과로로 머리가 아파요' (My head hurts because of overwork). This level involves understanding that '과로' is a more formal and serious word than '피곤.' You might use it to show concern for a colleague by saying '요즘 너무 과로하시는 것 같아요' (I think you are overworking too much lately). This shows you have a better grasp of workplace culture and polite expressions. You should also recognize the difference between '일이 많다' (having a lot of work) and '과로' (the state of being exhausted from that work).

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '과로' in various grammatical structures and understanding its social implications in Korea. You should be able to discuss the 'Gwaro' culture in Korea using sentences like '한국 사람들은 과로를 많이 해요' (Korean people overwork a lot). You should also learn common collocations like '과로가 쌓이다' (overwork accumulates) or '과로를 피하다' (to avoid overwork). At this stage, you can use the word to write short essays about work-life balance or health. You should also be able to distinguish '과로' from similar words like '야근' (overtime) and '피로' (fatigue), understanding that '과로' is the specific cause related to labor. Using this word correctly will make your Korean sound more professional and culturally aware.

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At the B2 level, you can use '과로' to discuss complex social issues, such as labor rights and public health. You should be familiar with the term '과로사' (death from overwork) and be able to participate in discussions about why this happens in modern society. You can use more advanced grammar like '-ㄹ 정도로' (to the extent that...) to describe the severity of work: '과로로 쓰러질 정도로 일했어요' (I worked to the point of collapsing from overwork). You should also understand the nuance of using '과로' in formal reports or news contexts. Your ability to use synonyms like '혹사' (exploitation/overworking) or '만성 피로' (chronic fatigue) alongside '과로' will demonstrate a high level of vocabulary flexibility. You can also interpret the word in literature or media where it represents a character's sacrifice or struggle.

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At the C1 level, your understanding of '과로' should include its legal, medical, and historical nuances. You should be able to discuss the legal definitions of overwork in the context of worker's compensation and labor laws. You can use the word in academic or professional settings to analyze the psychological impact of '과로' on productivity and mental health. You should be able to understand and use idiomatic expressions related to exhaustion and labor. Your usage should reflect a deep understanding of the 'Ppalli-ppalli' culture and how '과로' is both a source of national pride (in terms of rapid development) and a source of modern social problems. You can articulate the fine differences between '과로,' '번아웃,' and '정신적 소모' (mental depletion) with precision.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of '과로' and can use it in highly specialized or philosophical contexts. You can critique the societal structures that necessitate '과로' and discuss its impact on the demographic crisis or national happiness. You can use the word in sophisticated literary analysis or high-level policy debates. Your understanding extends to the subtle connotations the word carries in different historical eras of Korea's development. You can effortlessly switch between formal medical terminology involving '과로' and poetic or metaphorical descriptions of the same state. You are also capable of using the word in humor or irony to comment on the absurdity of modern work culture. At this level, '과로' is not just a vocabulary word but a lens through which you understand and describe the Korean experience.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

과로 en 30 secondes

과로 (Gwaro) means overwork or excessive labor that leads to illness or exhaustion, reflecting a common struggle in Korean society.
It is primarily used as a noun, but frequently becomes a verb, 과로하다, meaning to work beyond one's physical capacity.
Commonly associated with medical issues, it appears in phrases like '과로로 쓰러지다' (collapse from overwork) and '과로사' (death from overwork).
Distinguished from simple tiredness (피곤), it implies a serious, prolonged state of exertion linked directly to work or study.

The Korean noun 과로 (Gwaro) is a critical term in understanding both the Korean language and its socio-economic landscape. At its core, it refers to the state of overworking or excessive labor that leads to physical or mental exhaustion. Derived from Hanja (Sino-Korean characters), 과 (過) means 'to exceed' or 'pass,' and 로 (勞) means 'labor' or 'toil.' Together, they create a word that describes working beyond one's capacity. Unlike simple tiredness, 과로 suggests a systemic or prolonged state of exertion that often results in illness or medical intervention.

Etymological Root: The character 過 (과) implies a boundary that has been crossed. In the context of work, this boundary is the limit of human endurance. The character 勞 (로) represents the effort expended. Thus, 과로 is literally 'exceeded effort.'
Social Context: In South Korea, a country known for its high-pressure work environment and 'Ppalli-ppalli' (hurry-hurry) culture, this word carries significant weight. It is not just a personal complaint; it is a public health concern discussed in news reports and labor policy debates.

최근 업무가 너무 많아서 과로로 쓰러졌어요.
— "I recently collapsed from overwork because there was too much work."

People use this word most frequently in professional settings or when discussing health. If you tell a friend you are '피곤해' (pigonhae - tired), it might just mean you didn't sleep well. However, if you say you are suffering from 과로, it implies a serious situation where your job is negatively impacting your physical well-being. It is often paired with verbs like 하다 (to do), 겹치다 (to overlap/accumulate), or 사망하다 (to die—leading to the tragic term '과로사').

현대인들은 만성적인 과로에 시달리고 있습니다.
— "Modern people are suffering from chronic overwork."

Medical Usage: In a clinical setting, a doctor might diagnose symptoms as being caused by '과로.' This is a formal way to say the body has reached its breaking point due to lack of rest.

의사 선생님이 과로를 피하고 푹 쉬라고 하셨어요.
— "The doctor told me to avoid overwork and take a good rest."

Understanding 과로 is essential for anyone living or working in Korea. It reflects a societal reality where the line between dedication and self-destruction is often blurred. By using this word, you communicate a specific type of hardship that is deeply understood by Koreans across all generations, from students studying for exams to office workers staying late for projects.

그는 과로에도 불구하고 프로젝트를 끝냈습니다.
— "He finished the project despite being overworked."

부모님은 자식들을 위해 평생을 과로하며 사셨다.
— "The parents lived their whole lives overworking for their children."

Mastering the use of 과로 requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as both a noun and a component of verbal phrases. While '과로' is a noun, it is most commonly transformed into a verb using '하다' (to do), becoming 과로하다. This verb is used to describe the action of working too hard. However, when you want to describe the *result* or *cause* of exhaustion, you stick to the noun form.

The 'Cause' Pattern: When 과로 is the reason for something (like getting sick), use the structure 과로로 (인해) + [Result]. Example: 과로로 입원하다 (To be hospitalized due to overwork).
The 'Avoidance' Pattern: When advising someone, use 과로를 피하다 (to avoid overwork) or 과로하지 마세요 (don't overwork yourself).

시험 기간 동안 과로하지 않도록 조심해.
— "Be careful not to overwork yourself during the exam period."

In more formal contexts, such as news reports or medical documents, you will see 과로 paired with passive or descriptive verbs. For instance, 과로가 누적되다 means 'overwork has accumulated.' This implies that the exhaustion didn't happen overnight but built up over a long period. This is a very common way to describe burnout in a professional setting.

그는 과로가 겹쳐서 결국 병이 났어요.
— "Overwork accumulated, and he finally got sick."

The 'State' Pattern: To describe someone who is currently in a state of having worked too much, use 과로한 상태이다 (to be in an overworked state).

선생님은 과로로 인해 목소리가 잘 안 나오신다.
— "The teacher's voice isn't coming out well due to overwork."

In everyday conversation, you might hear people use it to express concern for others. Saying "과로하시는 거 아니에요?" (Aren't you overworking yourself?) is a polite way to show you care about someone's well-being. It sounds more professional and empathetic than just saying "You look tired."

요즘 김 대리님이 과로하시는 것 같아서 걱정이에요.
— "I'm worried because it seems like Assistant Manager Kim is overworking these days."

회사가 너무 바빠서 직원들이 과로에 시달리고 있습니다.
— "The company is so busy that employees are suffering from overwork."

Finally, notice how '과로' interacts with other nouns to form compound concepts. 심신 과로 refers to both mental and physical overwork. 업무 과로 specifically targets work-related exhaustion. By attaching these qualifiers, you can be more precise about the nature of the exhaustion.

The word 과로 is ubiquitous in South Korean society, appearing in news headlines, workplace conversations, and medical consultations. To understand where you'll hear it, you must first understand the context of the Korean labor market. Korea has historically had some of the longest working hours among OECD nations, making 과로 a common topic of national discussion.

In the News: You will frequently hear '과로사' (Gwarosa - death from overwork) in news reports. This tragic term refers to sudden deaths caused by heart failure or stroke due to extreme working hours. News anchors use '과로' to discuss labor laws and the 52-hour work week policy.
At the Office: In the workplace, colleagues might use it to acknowledge each other's hard work or to warn a teammate. It’s a word that signals empathy. '과로하지 마세요' (Don't overwork) is a common parting phrase during busy seasons.

뉴스에서 택배 기사들의 과로 문제가 보도되었습니다.
— "The issue of overwork among delivery drivers was reported in the news."

Another common place is the hospital or local clinic. If you visit a doctor complaining of fatigue, headaches, or general malaise, the doctor might say, "과로가 원인입니다" (Overwork is the cause). It serves as a broad medical explanation for symptoms that aren't tied to a specific infection but rather to a lifestyle of excessive labor.

드라마에서 주인공이 과로로 쓰러지는 장면이 나왔어요.
— "A scene where the main character collapses from overwork appeared in the drama."

In Education: While usually applied to adults, '과로' is increasingly used to describe students who study until 2 AM at 'hagwons' (private academies). Teachers and parents worry about students' '과로' during the exam season (시험 기간).

수험생들이 과로로 건강을 해치지 않았으면 좋겠어요.
— "I hope students preparing for exams don't ruin their health through overwork."

You might also see this word in advertising, particularly for health supplements, energy drinks, or massage chairs. Marketers leverage the common feeling of being overworked to sell products that promise '과로 회복' (recovery from overwork). Phrases like "과로에 지친 당신을 위해" (For you, exhausted from overwork) are very common in Korean marketing.

이 비타민은 과로 회복에 아주 효과적입니다.
— "This vitamin is very effective for recovering from overwork."

연말이라 다들 과로하기 쉬운 시기네요.
— "It's the end of the year, so it's a time when everyone is prone to overwork."

While 과로 is a straightforward concept, learners often make subtle mistakes in its usage, register, and distinction from similar words. The most common error is using '과로' when simple tiredness or stress would be more appropriate. Because '과로' implies a medical or serious level of exhaustion, using it for minor inconveniences can sound overly dramatic or unnatural.

Mistake 1: Confusing with '피곤' (Tiredness): If you stayed up late watching Netflix, you are '피곤하다' (tired). If you say you are '과로하다', a Korean speaker might think you are suffering from a serious labor violation or a medical crisis. Use '과로' only when work or study is the direct, excessive cause.
Mistake 2: Incorrect Particle Usage: Learners sometimes say '과로 때문에 아파요' (I'm sick because of overwork). While grammatically correct, it is more natural to use '과로로 (인해)' in formal or semi-formal contexts. '때문에' is okay, but '로' sounds more native when discussing causes of illness.

[Wrong] 어제 게임을 많이 해서 과로했어요.
— This sounds strange because gaming isn't usually considered 'labor' (로/勞).

Another mistake involves the word 야근 (overtime). Learners often use these interchangeably. 야근 is the act of working late at night, whereas 과로 is the state of exhaustion resulting from excessive work. You can '야근' without '과로' (if it's just one night), and you can '과로' without '야근' (if you work 12 hours during the day every day).

[Correction] 과로하지 말고 쉬세요. (Don't overwork and rest.)
— This is the perfect way to use the word to show concern.

Mistake 3: Overusing the Verb Form: While '과로하다' is common, '과로가 쌓이다' (overwork accumulates) or '과로로 쓰러지다' (collapse from overwork) are often more descriptive. Don't forget the noun form can be very powerful on its own.

그는 과로로 인해 병원에 입원했습니다.
— Correct usage showing the cause of hospitalization.

Lastly, avoid using '과로' in extremely informal slang contexts. While you can use it with friends, it maintains a certain level of seriousness. If you're just joking about being tired after a 30-minute workout, use '힘들어' or '피곤해' instead. '과로' is a heavyweight word—use it when the work is truly heavy.

[Natural] 요즘 일이 너무 많아서 과로 상태예요.
— "I'm in a state of overwork because there's too much work lately."

[Formal] 과로는 만병의 근원입니다.
— "Overwork is the root of all diseases."

To truly master 과로, you need to know where it sits in the spectrum of Korean words for 'tiredness' and 'work.' Korean has a rich vocabulary for these concepts, each with its own specific nuance and context. Choosing the right one makes your Korean sound much more natural and precise.

과로 vs. 피로 (Piro): 피로 means 'fatigue' or 'tiredness.' While 과로 is the *cause* (overwork), 피로 is the *feeling* or *state*. You can have '피로' from lack of sleep, but you have '과로' from working too much. Example: 피로가 쌓이다 (Fatigue accumulates).
과로 vs. 고생 (Gosaeng): 고생 refers to 'hardship' or 'suffering.' It is much broader than '과로.' You can '고생' from a difficult breakup, a hard hike, or living in a cold house. '과로' is specifically about labor/work.

그는 과로 때문에 만성 피로에 시달리고 있다.
— "He is suffering from chronic fatigue due to overwork."

Another important pair is 야근 (Overtime) and 특근 (Special duty/extra work). As mentioned before, these refer to the *schedule* of work. If someone says "요즘 야근이 많아요," they are telling you about their hours. If they say "요즘 과로하고 있어요," they are telling you about the physical toll those hours are taking.

어제 야근을 했더니 오늘은 정말 피곤하네요.
— "I worked overtime yesterday, so I'm really tired today."

과로 vs. 번아웃 (Burnout): While '과로' is a traditional Hanja-based word focusing on physical labor, '번아웃' (loanword from English) is used more by younger generations to describe the mental and emotional exhaustion where one loses motivation and passion for their work.

단순한 과로가 아니라 번아웃 증후군인 것 같아요.
— "I think it's not just simple overwork, but burnout syndrome."

For formal writing, you might encounter 혹사 (Hoksa), which means 'exploitation' or 'overworking someone/something harshly.' This is even stronger than '과로' and often implies that a boss or a system is cruelly driving someone to work. You also see this word used for body parts, like '눈을 혹사하다' (to strain/overwork one's eyes).

몸을 너무 혹사시키면 결국 병이 납니다.
— "If you overwork (exploit) your body too much, you will eventually get sick."

그는 과로를 피하기 위해 주말에는 꼭 쉽니다.
— "He makes sure to rest on weekends to avoid overwork."

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The character 勞 (로) contains the radical for 'strength' (力) at the bottom, suggesting that labor is something that consumes one's physical power. When you add 過 (excessive), you are literally using more power than you have.

Guide de prononciation

UK ɡwa.ɾo

US ɡwa.ɾo

In Korean, stress is generally even across syllables, but a slight emphasis may fall on the first syllable '과'.

Rime avec

도로 (Doro - road) 통로 (Tongno - passage) 위로 (Wiro - comfort) 세로 (Sero - vertical) 가로 (Garo - horizontal) 회로 (Hoero - circuit) 미로 (Miro - maze) 사료 (Saryo - feed/fodder - near rhyme)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'r' like the English 'r' (rhotic). It should be a light tap.
Making the 'w' in 'gwa' too long. It should be a quick glide.
Pronouncing 'o' as 'aw' (like 'law'). It should be 'o' (like 'no').
Adding a puff of air to 'g', making it sound like 'kwa'. Keep it unaspirated.
Stressing the second syllable too much.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in news and workplace signs.

Écriture 3/5

Requires knowledge of Hanja-based particles like -로 인해.

Expression orale 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but nuance is important.

Écoute 2/5

Commonly heard in dramas and news.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

일 (Work) 피곤하다 (To be tired) 몸 (Body) 건강 (Health) 많다 (To be many/much)

Apprends ensuite

스트레스 (Stress) 휴식 (Rest) 입원하다 (To be hospitalized) 증상 (Symptom) 회복 (Recovery)

Avancé

번아웃 (Burnout) 근로기준법 (Labor Standards Act) 산업재해 (Industrial accident) 만성피로증후군 (Chronic fatigue syndrome)

Grammaire à connaître

-로 인해 (Due to)

과로로 인해 병이 났다.

-지 않도록 (So as not to)

과로하지 않도록 조심하세요.

-는 것 같다 (It seems that)

요즘 너무 과로하시는 것 같아요.

-ㄹ 정도로 (To the extent of)

과로로 쓰러질 정도로 일했다.

-에도 불구하고 (Despite)

과로에도 불구하고 끝까지 해냈다.

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Exemples par niveau

과로하지 마세요.

Don't overwork.

Verb root + -지 마세요 (Please don't...)

저는 요즘 과로해요.

I am overworking these days.

Present tense

과로가 무서워요.

I am afraid of overwork.

Noun + -가 (Subject particle)

아버지는 과로로 피곤해요.

Father is tired from overwork.

Noun + -로 (Cause particle)

과로를 조심하세요.

Be careful of overwork.

Object particle + 조심하다

어제 과로했어요.

I overworked yesterday.

Past tense

과로하면 안 돼요.

You shouldn't overwork.

-면 안 되다 (Shouldn't do...)

과로 때문에 아파요.

I'm sick because of overwork.

Noun + 때문에 (Because of)

과로로 인해 병이 났어요.

I got sick due to overwork.

Noun + -로 인해 (Due to)

요즘 과로하시는 것 같아요.

It seems like you are overworking lately.

-는 것 같다 (It seems like)

과로를 피하고 휴식을 취하세요.

Avoid overwork and take a rest.

-고 (and) connector

과로한 탓에 입맛이 없어요.

I have no appetite because I overworked.

-ㄴ 탓에 (Because of - negative reason)

과로하지 않도록 일찍 퇴근하세요.

Leave work early so you don't overwork.

-지 않도록 (So that one doesn't...)

그는 과로로 쓰러졌습니다.

He collapsed from overwork.

Formal ending -습니다

과로가 쌓이면 건강에 나빠요.

If overwork accumulates, it's bad for health.

Conditional -면

과로를 줄이려고 노력 중이에요.

I am trying to reduce overwork.

-려고 노력 중이다 (In the middle of trying to...)

과로가 누적되면 만성 피로가 됩니다.

When overwork accumulates, it becomes chronic fatigue.

Scientific/Logical -면

그는 과로에도 불구하고 일을 멈추지 않았어요.

He didn't stop working despite being overworked.

-에도 불구하고 (Despite)

과로를 방지하기 위해 법이 개정되었습니다.

The law was revised to prevent overwork.

-기 위해 (In order to)

과로한 다음 날은 하루 종일 잤어요.

The day after overworking, I slept all day.

Noun modification with -ㄴ

과로로 목소리가 나오지 않을 정도예요.

I'm overworked to the point that my voice won't come out.

-ㄹ 정도이다 (To the extent of...)

그녀는 과로로 인한 스트레스를 호소했습니다.

She complained about stress caused by overwork.

Formal verb 호소하다

과로를 당연하게 여기는 문화가 문제예요.

The culture of taking overwork for granted is the problem.

-게 여기다 (To consider as...)

과로를 피하려면 업무 분담이 필요합니다.

To avoid overwork, division of labor is necessary.

-려면 (If you want to...)

과로사는 사회적으로 큰 이슈가 되고 있습니다.

Death from overwork is becoming a major social issue.

Noun + -사 (Death suffix)

그는 과로를 견디다 못해 결국 사표를 냈습니다.

Unable to endure the overwork, he finally resigned.

-다 못해 (Unable to... anymore)

과로가 건강에 미치는 영향은 매우 치명적입니다.

The impact of overwork on health is very fatal.

-에 미치는 영향 (Impact on...)

과로를 줄이는 것이 생산성 향상에 도움이 됩니다.

Reducing overwork helps in improving productivity.

Gerund form -는 것

그는 과로로 몸이 망가진 후에야 휴식을 취했다.

He only took a rest after his body was ruined by overwork.

-ㄴ 후에야 (Only after...)

과로를 일삼는 기업들에 대한 비판이 거셉니다.

Criticism against companies that habitually overwork is fierce.

-를 일삼다 (To make a habit of...)

과로가 일상화된 사회에서는 행복을 찾기 어렵다.

In a society where overwork is normalized, it's hard to find happiness.

-가 일상화되다 (To be normalized)

과로를 예방하기 위한 캠페인이 진행 중입니다.

A campaign to prevent overwork is underway.

-기 위한 (For the purpose of...)

과로로 인한 면역력 저하가 각종 질병의 원인이 됩니다.

Decreased immunity due to overwork causes various diseases.

Academic terminology

정부는 과로를 억제하기 위해 근로 시간을 단축했다.

The government shortened working hours to suppress overwork.

Formal policy language

과로가 심화되면 우울증 등 정신 질환으로 이어질 수 있다.

If overwork intensifies, it can lead to mental illnesses like depression.

Conditional intensification

그는 과로를 훈장처럼 여기며 젊음을 바쳤다.

He devoted his youth, treating overwork like a medal of honor.

Metaphorical usage

과로의 굴레에서 벗어나기란 쉽지 않은 일이다.

Escaping the shackles of overwork is not an easy task.

Literary expression -기란

기업의 이윤을 위해 노동자의 과로를 묵인해서는 안 된다.

The overwork of workers should not be overlooked for corporate profit.

Ethical/Legal context

과로가 만연한 조직 문화는 결국 인재 유출을 초래한다.

An organizational culture where overwork is rampant eventually leads to a brain drain.

Business strategy context

과로를 미화하는 사회적 분위기가 바뀌어야 합니다.

The social atmosphere that beautifies overwork must change.

Social critique

과로의 문제는 단순히 개인의 차원을 넘어 구조적인 모순에 기인한다.

The problem of overwork goes beyond the individual level and stems from structural contradictions.

Philosophical/Sociological depth

그는 과로로 점철된 삶을 회고하며 깊은 회한에 잠겼다.

Recalling a life riddled with overwork, he was lost in deep regret.

Literary/Poetic register

과로가 인간의 실존적 가치를 훼손하는 양상을 분석해야 한다.

We must analyze the aspects in which overwork undermines human existential value.

Existentialist terminology

자본의 논리에 매몰되어 과로를 숙명으로 받아들이는 태도는 지양해야 한다.

We should avoid the attitude of accepting overwork as fate while being buried in the logic of capital.

Critical theory language

과로의 고통은 언어로 다 형언할 수 없는 처절한 것이다.

The pain of overwork is something desperate that cannot be fully described in words.

High-level emotive adjectives

현대 사회의 과로는 디지털 소외와 결합하여 새로운 형태의 소외를 낳는다.

Overwork in modern society combines with digital alienation to produce a new form of alienation.

Interdisciplinary analysis

과로를 강요하는 시스템에 대한 저항은 인간 존엄성을 지키는 길이다.

Resistance to a system that forces overwork is the way to protect human dignity.

Political/Human rights context

과로가 창의성을 말살하고 기계적인 노동만을 반복하게 만든다.

Overwork obliterates creativity and makes one repeat only mechanical labor.

Psychological/Economic impact

Collocations courantes

과로로 쓰러지다

과로가 쌓이다

과로를 피하다

과로에 시달리다

만성 과로

업무 과로

과로를 방지하다

과로로 입원하다

심신 과로

과로를 호소하다

Phrases Courantes

과로하지 마세요

— Don't overwork yourself; a polite way to show concern for someone's health.

오늘도 늦게까지 일하시네요. 과로하지 마세요.

과로사

— Death caused by overwork, usually due to heart failure or stroke.

과로사 문제는 매년 뉴스에 나옵니다.

과로가 원인이다

— Overwork is the cause; often used in medical diagnoses.

의사는 제 병의 원인이 과로라고 했어요.

과로로 인해

— Due to overwork; used to explain a negative outcome.

과로로 인해 시력이 나빠졌어요.

과로 끝에

— At the end of overworking; usually followed by a consequence.

과로 끝에 그는 병석에 누웠다.

과로를 면하다

— To avoid or escape overwork.

이번에는 다행히 과로를 면했어요.

과로를 무릅쓰고

— Despite overworking; pushing through exhaustion.

그는 과로를 무릅쓰고 일을 완수했다.

과로의 연속

— A continuous cycle of overwork.

지난 한 달은 과로의 연속이었다.

과로를 자초하다

— To bring overwork upon oneself.

그는 너무 완벽주의자라 과로를 자초한다.

과로에 지치다

— To be worn out from overwork.

과로에 지친 몸을 이끌고 집에 왔다.

Souvent confondu avec

과로 vs 피로

Piro is the feeling of fatigue, while Gwaro is the action/state of overworking that causes it.

과로 vs 야근

Yageun is specifically working late at night, whereas Gwaro is general overwork (can be during the day).

과로 vs 고생

Gosaeng is general hardship, while Gwaro is specifically work-related exhaustion.

Expressions idiomatiques

"뼈가 빠지게 일하다"

— To work so hard that your bones might fall out; extreme overwork.

부모님은 우리를 위해 뼈가 빠지게 일하셨다.

Informal/Idiomatic

"눈코 뜰 새 없이 바쁘다"

— To be so busy you don't even have time to open your eyes and nose.

요즘 눈코 뜰 새 없이 바빠서 과로할 것 같아요.

Common

"몸을 아끼지 않다"

— To not spare one's body; working hard without caring for one's health.

그는 몸을 아끼지 않고 과로하며 일했다.

Neutral

"파초가 되다"

— To become like a plantain leaf (droopy/exhausted).

과로로 인해 몸이 파초가 되었어요.

Literary/Old

"녹초가 되다"

— To be completely exhausted (like a melted candle).

과로한 후에 집에 오면 녹초가 돼요.

Common

"등골이 휘다"

— To have one's spine bent; working so hard it's physically crushing.

과로 때문에 등골이 휠 지경이에요.

Informal

"피땀을 흘리다"

— To shed blood and sweat; extreme effort and overwork.

그는 피땀을 흘려 과로하며 성공을 거두었다.

Formal/Emotive

"밤을 지새우다"

— To stay up all night working.

과로의 원인은 매일 밤을 지새우는 것이었다.

Neutral

"코피를 쏟다"

— To have a nosebleed (often culturally associated with overworking or overstudying).

그는 과로하다가 결국 코피를 쏟았다.

Common

"몸이 열 개라도 모자라다"

— Even if I had ten bodies, it wouldn't be enough (for the amount of work).

몸이 열 개라도 모자랄 정도로 과로하고 있어요.

Common

Facile à confondre

과로 vs 피곤

Both relate to being tired.

Pigon is a general state of tiredness (lack of sleep, etc.), while Gwaro is a serious state caused specifically by excessive work.

어제 잠을 못 자서 피곤해요 (Correct) / 어제 잠을 못 자서 과로해요 (Wrong).

과로 vs 노동

Both involve work.

Nodong is the act of labor itself (neutral), while Gwaro is the negative excess of that labor.

그는 건설 현장에서 노동을 한다.

과로 vs 무리

Both mean doing too much.

Muri can apply to anything (exercise, eating, spending), but Gwaro is specifically for work/labor.

운동을 무리해서 다리가 아파요.

과로 vs 번아웃

Both involve work exhaustion.

Gwaro is more physical and traditional; burnout is more mental and modern.

과로로 몸이 아프고 번아웃으로 의욕이 없어요.

과로 vs 혹사

Both mean overworking.

Hoksa is stronger and implies abuse or exploitation of the body or a person.

그는 어린 선수를 혹사시켰다.

Structures de phrases

[Noun] + 과로로 + [Negative Result]

업무 과로로 입원했어요.

과로하지 + 마세요

너무 과로하지 마세요.

과로가 + 쌓이다/누적되다

과로가 쌓여서 몸이 안 좋아요.

과로하시는 + 것 같아요

요즘 너무 과로하시는 것 같아요.

과로로 + 쓰러지다

그는 과로로 쓰러졌습니다.

과로를 + 방지하다/피하다

과로를 방지하는 것이 중요합니다.

과로가 + 심화되다

과로가 심화되어 건강을 해쳤다.

과로를 + 일삼다

그 회사는 직원들에게 과로를 일삼는다.

Famille de mots

Noms

과로 (Overwork)

과로사 (Death from overwork)

과로증 (Symptoms of overwork)

Verbes

과로하다 (To overwork)

과로시키다 (To make someone overwork)

Adjectifs

과로한 (Overworked - participial adjective)

Apparenté

노동 (Labor)

피로 (Fatigue)

업무 (Business/Work)

휴식 (Rest)

건강 (Health)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in work and health contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Using '과로' for being tired after a party. → 피곤해요.
과로 is only for work or labor-related exhaustion.
Using '과로' for exercise exhaustion. → 운동을 무리했어요.
Exercise is not usually called 'labor' (로).
Saying '과로가 많아요'. → 과로가 심해요 / 일이 많아요.
You don't have 'many overworks'; the overwork is 'severe' or 'accumulated'.
Confusing '과로' with '야근'. → 야근 때문에 과로했어요.
Yageun is the overtime itself; Gwaro is the resulting exhaustion.
Using '과로' as a positive thing. → 열심히 일했어요.
Gwaro is inherently negative and implies health risks.

Astuces

Use with -로 인해

When describing a medical condition caused by overwork, '과로로 인해' is the most natural and professional-sounding phrase.

Expressing Concern

Saying '과로하지 마세요' to a colleague is a great way to build rapport and show you care about their health.

Learn '과로사'

Understanding this word helps you follow news and social discussions about labor rights in Korea.

Gwaro vs. Pigon

Remember: Pigon = Tired (General). Gwaro = Overworked (Specific cause). Don't mix them up!

Verb vs. Noun

You can use '과로하다' (verb) for the action and '과로' (noun) for the state or cause.

Doctor's Office

If a Korean doctor says '과로입니다,' they are telling you to rest because you've worked too much.

Work Ethic

Recognize that '과로' is a sensitive topic in Korea due to the history of long working hours.

Formal Essays

Use '과로가 누적되다' to describe a chronic state of overwork in formal writing.

Drama Clichés

Watch for the 'fainting from overwork' trope in K-dramas to see how the word is used in context.

Hanja Help

Remember 過 (Exceed) + 勞 (Labor). It’s literally 'Exceeding Labor'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Gwa' as 'Go past' and 'Ro' as 'Road of work'. If you 'Go past' the safe end of the 'Road of work', you end up with 과로.

Association visuelle

Imagine a battery icon that is flashing red and has a heavy briefcase sitting on top of it, crushing it.

Word Web

Work Fatigue Hospital Office Late night Stress Exhaustion Health

Défi

Try to write three sentences describing a busy week you had, using '과로' at least once to describe the result.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Hanja characters 過 (과) and 勞 (로).

Sens originel : 過 (과) means 'to pass,' 'to exceed,' or 'excessive.' 勞 (로) means 'labor,' 'toil,' or 'work.' Together, it means 'exceeding the limit of labor.'

Sino-Korean (Hanja-eo).

Contexte culturel

Be sensitive when using this word with superiors. While you can express concern for their '과로,' complaining about your own '과로' to a boss might be seen as a complaint about the company itself.

In English, we say 'overwork' or 'burnout,' but '과로' has a more physical/medical connotation in Korean, often implying a risk of literal collapse.

News reports on the '52-hour work week' (주 52시간 근무제) often cite 과로 as the reason for the policy. The webtoon and drama 'Misaeng' (Incomplete Life) depicts the daily 과로 of office workers. The 'Gwarosa' laws in Korea are some of the most specific in the world regarding labor-related deaths.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Hospital/Clinic

과로가 원인입니다.
과로를 피해야 합니다.
과로로 입원했습니다.
심신이 과로한 상태입니다.

Office/Workplace

과로하지 마세요.
요즘 과로하시는 것 같아요.
과로로 인해 실수가 생겼습니다.
업무 과로를 줄여야 합니다.

News/Media

과로사 문제가 심각합니다.
과로를 방지하는 법안입니다.
택배 기사들의 과로가 보도되었습니다.
과로 문화가 바뀌어야 합니다.

Social/Family

우리 아빠는 과로를 많이 하셔.
과로한 남편을 위해 보양식을 준비했어.
시험 기간이라 과로하고 있어.
과로 때문에 여행을 못 갔어.

Advertising

과로에 좋은 비타민.
과로로 지친 당신에게.
과로 회복을 도와줍니다.
과로 방지용 의자.

Amorces de conversation

"요즘 회사 일이 너무 많아서 과로하시는 건 아니에요?"

"과로로 쓰러진 사람에 대한 뉴스를 보신 적 있나요?"

"과로를 피하기 위해 본인만의 특별한 휴식 방법이 있나요?"

"한국의 과로 문화에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"과로 때문에 건강을 해친 경험이 있나요?"

Sujets d'écriture

과로를 피하고 건강한 삶을 살기 위해 내가 실천할 수 있는 세 가지 방법은 무엇인가?

내가 지금까지 가장 과로했던 시기는 언제였으며, 그때의 기분은 어땠는가?

현대 사회에서 과로가 왜 이렇게 흔한 문제가 되었는지 자신의 생각을 서술해 보세요.

과로하는 동료에게 해줄 수 있는 따뜻한 위로의 말을 적어 보세요.

과로와 생산성의 관계에 대해 본인의 경험을 바탕으로 써 보세요.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it can apply to intense mental work or studying as well, as long as it causes physical or mental exhaustion.

Usually, no. For exercise, '오버트레이닝' or '무리한 운동' is better. '과로' specifically implies 'labor' (로/勞).

과부하 (Overload) is often used for machines, systems, or mental capacity, while 과로 is used for human physical labor and its results.

Yes, especially among office workers and in news reports regarding labor issues.

'요즘 과로하고 있어요' or '업무가 많아서 과로 상태예요' are natural ways to say it.

Almost never. It implies a negative impact on health or well-being.

It is a specific term for death caused by overwork, a serious social issue in East Asia.

It is a standard noun. It's more formal than '피곤' but can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Yes, it is often used for students who study excessively during exam periods.

The most common are -로 (due to), -를 (object), and -가 (subject).

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