Explanation at your level:
You use 약해지다 when something is not strong anymore. If you are sick, you feel 약해지다. If the rain stops, it is 약해지다. It means 'to become weak'.
This verb is used when things change from strong to weak. You can use it for weather, like the wind, or for your body when you are tired. It is a very useful word for describing changes.
약해지다 is perfect for describing gradual changes. You might use it in a business context to describe a 'weakening market' or in a personal context to talk about 'weakening resolve' when trying to stick to a diet or study plan.
At this level, you can use the word to describe nuanced shifts in power or intensity. It is frequently used in news reports regarding storms, economic trends, or the 'weakening' of a political coalition or argument.
Use 약해지다 to articulate subtle declines in influence or structural integrity. In academic writing, it might describe the 'weakening' of a hypothesis or the 'diminishing' of social norms. It conveys a sense of inevitable transition.
The term is deeply embedded in the Korean lexicon to describe the entropy of physical and social systems. It captures the philosophical sense of 'fading' or 'waning.' Whether discussing the 'waning' of an empire or the 'softening' of a stance, 약해지다 provides the precise linguistic tool for decay and reduction.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to become weak.
- Used for weather, health, and abstract concepts.
- Intransitive verb.
- Commonly paired with -아/어지다.
The Korean verb 약해지다 is a fundamental term used to describe the transition from a state of strength to a state of weakness. It is formed by combining the adjective 약하다 (weak) with the auxiliary verb -아/어지다, which indicates a change of state.
Think of it as a sliding scale. Whether it is a fading wind, a dying fire, or a person recovering from an illness, 약해지다 captures that moment when the intensity drops. It is a versatile word used in both casual daily life and more formal descriptions of processes.
The word is rooted in the Sino-Korean character 弱 (약), which means 'weak' or 'feeble.' Historically, this character has been used to denote everything from physical frailty to a lack of political power.
By adding the suffix -지다, the language transforms a static adjective into a dynamic process. This evolution reflects the human need to describe change over time, moving from 'being weak' to 'becoming weak.' It is a classic example of how Korean grammar uses auxiliary verbs to add nuance to core concepts.
You will hear 약해지다 in many contexts. It is commonly paired with weather patterns, such as 바람이 약해지다 (the wind is weakening) or 비가 약해지다 (the rain is letting up).
Beyond nature, it is used for health (체력이 약해지다 - stamina is weakening) and abstract situations like 의지가 약해지다 (one's will is wavering). It is a neutral term, meaning it is appropriate for both professional reports and casual conversations with friends.
While 약해지다 is a direct verb, it appears in many common phrases. For instance, 마음이 약해지다 describes the moment someone loses their resolve and starts to feel sympathetic or hesitant.
Another common usage is 기세가 약해지다, which refers to an opponent losing their momentum or aggressive stance. These expressions show how the word captures not just physical strength, but the psychological state of a person or a situation.
Grammatically, 약해지다 functions as an intransitive verb. You do not 'weaken' something else with this word; you describe the subject itself undergoing the change.
The pronunciation is straightforward, but pay attention to the h sound in 해, which can sometimes blend with the following 지 in fast speech. It rhymes with other change-of-state verbs like 강해지다 (to become stronger) or 밝아지다 (to become brighter).
Fun Fact
The character 弱 is made of two 'bow' characters, symbolizing a bow that is not strong enough to be pulled.
Pronunciation Guide
N/A
N/A
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'h' sound
- Merging 'ji' incorrectly
- Flat intonation
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Commonly used
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
-아/어지다
예뻐지다
Intransitive Verbs
약해지다
Past Tense
약해졌어요
Examples by Level
바람이 약해졌어요.
The wind / became weak.
Past tense form.
비가 약해지고 있어요.
체력이 약해졌어요.
목소리가 약해졌어요.
불빛이 약해지고 있어요.
의지가 약해졌어요.
효과가 약해졌어요.
바람이 약해졌어요.
기운이 약해졌어요.
경제 상황이 약해지고 있습니다.
그의 자신감이 약해졌어요.
약의 효과가 약해졌어요.
태풍의 세력이 약해졌어요.
그녀의 결심이 약해졌어요.
사회적 유대가 약해지고 있어요.
기억력이 약해졌어요.
근육이 약해졌어요.
시장의 수요가 약해지고 있는 추세입니다.
그의 논리는 시간이 갈수록 약해졌어요.
정부의 통제력이 약해지고 있습니다.
겨울의 추위가 조금 약해졌어요.
그들의 관계가 점점 약해지고 있어요.
면역력이 약해지면 병에 걸리기 쉽습니다.
법적 효력이 약해졌어요.
열정이 약해지는 것을 느꼈습니다.
국제적 영향력이 약해지고 있다는 분석이 있습니다.
구조적 결함으로 인해 지지대가 약해졌어요.
전통적인 가치관이 약해지는 현상입니다.
심리적 방어 기제가 약해졌어요.
정치적 기반이 약해지자 그는 사임했습니다.
신뢰도가 약해지면 회복하기 어렵습니다.
집중력이 약해지는 오후 시간입니다.
근본적인 원인이 약해지고 있습니다.
제국의 권위가 서서히 약해지기 시작했습니다.
그의 철학적 통찰은 나이가 들며 약해졌어요.
시대의 흐름에 따라 관습이 약해지고 있습니다.
지질학적 압력으로 암반이 약해졌어요.
그의 도덕적 나침반이 약해지는 것을 목격했습니다.
생태계의 회복력이 약해지고 있다는 경고입니다.
언어의 변화로 고어의 의미가 약해졌어요.
그의 의지력은 고난 속에서 약해지지 않았습니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"마음이 약해지다"
To lose resolve or become sympathetic.
그를 보니 마음이 약해졌어요.
neutral"기운이 약해지다"
To lose energy or spirit.
나이가 드니 기운이 약해지네요.
neutral"발언권이 약해지다"
To lose influence in a group.
그의 발언권이 약해졌어요.
formal"입지가 약해지다"
To lose one's position or standing.
회사에서 입지가 약해졌어요.
formal"끈기가 약해지다"
To lose persistence.
끈기가 약해지면 포기하게 돼요.
neutral"감각이 약해지다"
To become less sensitive.
추위에 감각이 약해졌어요.
neutralEasily Confused
Opposite meaning
Strength vs Weakness
바람이 강해졌어요 vs 약해졌어요.
Similar meaning
Formal/Passive vs Neutral/Intransitive
영향력이 약화되었다.
Quantity vs Quality
Amount vs Strength
양이 줄어들다.
Intensity
Level/Height vs Strength
온도가 낮아지다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 이/가 + 약해지다
바람이 약해졌어요.
Subject + 가 + [Noun] + 에 + 약해지다
나는 추위에 약해졌어요.
Subject + 가 + 점점 + 약해지다
불빛이 점점 약해졌어요.
Subject + 가 + [Time] + 에 + 약해지다
오후에 기운이 약해졌어요.
Subject + 가 + [Condition] + 로 + 약해지다
병으로 체력이 약해졌어요.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
약해지다 is intransitive; use 약하게 하다 for transitive.
Always use polite endings in conversation.
You cannot 'weaken' an object with 약해지다.
Use progressive for ongoing change.
Distinguish between past state and current process.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a battery icon losing bars.
When Native Speakers Use It
To describe the weather letting up.
Cultural Insight
Used often in health contexts.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember -아/어지다 means 'become'.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'h' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a transitive verb.
Did You Know?
It comes from Sino-Korean roots.
Study Smart
Pair it with its opposite, 강해지다.
Contextual Learning
Use it in weather reports.
Daily Practice
Write 3 sentences daily.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
YAK (weak) + HAE (sun) + JIDA (become) = The sun becomes weak at night.
Visual Association
A candle flame slowly shrinking.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe three things that have become weaker today.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: To become weak
Cultural Context
None, it is a neutral descriptive verb.
The concept of 'weakening' is universal, but in Korean, the grammar suffix -지다 makes it very natural to describe life as a series of changes.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Weather
- 바람이 약해지다
- 비가 약해지다
- 태풍이 약해지다
Health
- 체력이 약해지다
- 면역력이 약해지다
- 기운이 약해지다
Abstract
- 의지가 약해지다
- 신뢰가 약해지다
- 영향력이 약해지다
Work
- 입지가 약해지다
- 발언권이 약해지다
- 효과가 약해지다
Conversation Starters
"오늘 날씨가 어때요? 바람이 약해졌나요?"
"요즘 운동을 안 해서 체력이 약해진 것 같아요."
"그 영화의 후반부는 긴장감이 약해진 것 같아요."
"어떤 상황에서 마음이 약해지나요?"
"나이가 들면서 기억력이 약해지는 것 같아요."
Journal Prompts
Describe a time when you felt your resolve weaken.
Write about the weather changing today.
How does your body feel when you are tired?
Reflect on a relationship that has changed over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is intransitive. Use 약화시키다 for transitive.
When describing any process of weakening.
Yes, for health or resolve.
It is neutral and widely used.
강해지다.
Yes, 약해졌어요.
Yes, like a weakening bridge.
Very common in daily conversation.
Test Yourself
바람이 ___.
Needs a polite verb ending.
Which means 'to become weak'?
Correct definition.
약해지다 is a transitive verb.
It is intransitive.
Word
Meaning
Common collocation.
Time + Subject + Verb.
Score: /5
Summary
약해지다 describes the natural process of losing strength or intensity.
- Means to become weak.
- Used for weather, health, and abstract concepts.
- Intransitive verb.
- Commonly paired with -아/어지다.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a battery icon losing bars.
When Native Speakers Use It
To describe the weather letting up.
Cultural Insight
Used often in health contexts.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember -아/어지다 means 'become'.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
More health words
비정상적이다
B1Deviating from what is normal or usual; abnormal.
비정상이다
A2To be abnormal or irregular.
에 대해서
A2Indicating the topic or subject; about, concerning.
누적되다
B1To be accumulated or added up over a period of time. It is frequently used to describe the buildup of fatigue, debt, or environmental damage.
몸살
A2General body aches and fatigue, often accompanying a cold or flu.
몸살나다
A2To suffer from body aches and fatigue, often due to a cold.
쑤시다
B1To have a dull, throbbing pain; to ache.
에취
A2Achoo! (onomatopoeia for sneezing).
급성적이다
A2To be acute or sudden (e.g., an illness).
급성이다
A2Having a rapid onset and short course; to be acute (illness).
