악화시키다 in 30 Seconds
- A formal causative verb meaning 'to make worse'.
- Commonly used for health, economy, and relationships.
- Requires an object marked with 을/를.
- Contrast with '악화되다' which means 'to become worse' (passive).
The Korean verb 악화시키다 (akhwasikida) is a sophisticated causative verb that translates to 'to worsen,' 'to exacerbate,' or 'to aggravate.' It is composed of the noun 악화 (deterioration) and the causative suffix -시키다 (to make/cause). Understanding this word is crucial for transitioning from intermediate to advanced Korean because it allows you to describe causal relationships in negative situations, ranging from health and economics to social conflicts and personal relationships. Unlike its passive counterpart 악화되다 (to become worse), which describes a state changing on its own, 악화시키다 places the emphasis on an external factor or actor that is actively driving the decline.
- Grammatical Category
- Transitive Verb (Causative). It requires an object (the thing being worsened) marked by the particles 을/를.
- Semantic Nuance
- It is almost exclusively used for negative contexts. You wouldn't 'worsen' a good thing in a way that implies improvement; it specifically describes the intensification of a bad state.
스트레스는 당신의 건강을 악화시키다. (Stress worsens your health.)
In a professional or medical setting, this word is the standard choice. If a doctor is explaining how smoking affects a lung condition, they will use this verb. If a news anchor is discussing how a new policy might hurt the economy, they will use this verb. It carries a tone of objective analysis and seriousness. It is not a word you would typically use in a very casual, slang-heavy conversation with close friends, where you might instead say '더 안 좋게 만들다' (make it more not-good), but for any writing or formal speaking, 악화시키다 is indispensable.
잘못된 정보는 갈등을 악화시킨다. (Misinformation exacerbates the conflict.)
The Hanja roots are 惡 (악 - evil/bad) and 化 (화 - change). When combined, they literally mean 'changing into something bad.' Adding 시키다 turns it into 'making it change into something bad.' This logical structure helps in remembering that the word is inherently negative and action-oriented. In modern Korea, you will see this word frequently in newspapers regarding diplomatic relations (국가 간의 관계를 악화시키다) or environmental issues (대기 오염을 악화시키다).
- Register
- Formal, Academic, Journalistic, Medical.
그의 발언은 상황을 더욱 악화시켰다. (His remarks made the situation even worse.)
Using 악화시키다 correctly requires a clear understanding of the subject-object relationship. Because it is a causative verb, the subject is the 'agent' or 'trigger' that causes the decline, while the object is the 'victim' or the 'state' that is declining. The object must always take the -을/를 particle. Common objects include 상황 (situation), 관계 (relationship), 건강 (health), 증상 (symptoms), and 갈등 (conflict).
미세먼지는 호흡기 질환을 악화시킬 수 있습니다. (Fine dust can worsen respiratory diseases.)
In this example, 'fine dust' is the active agent causing the worsening of 'respiratory diseases.' Note the use of the future/possibility form -ㄹ 수 있다, which is very common when discussing risks. When you want to describe a past action that led to a bad result, you use the past tense 악화시켰다.
- Common Pattern 1
- [Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 악화시키다. (A worsens B.)
- Common Pattern 2
- [Action]-는 것은 상황을 악화시킬 뿐이다. (Doing [Action] only worsens the situation.)
Another frequent usage involves the adverb 더욱 (even more) or 더 (more) to emphasize the degree of deterioration. Because the word itself implies a downward trend, adding these adverbs highlights the intensity of the negative change.
지나친 간섭은 아이와의 관계를 악화시킵니다. (Excessive interference worsens the relationship with the child.)
경제 위기가 서민들의 삶을 악화시키고 있다. (The economic crisis is worsening the lives of ordinary people.)
Lastly, consider the 'cause-and-effect' connective -어서/아서. You might say, '술을 많이 마셔서 건강을 악화시켰다' (I worsened my health because I drank a lot). Here, the action of drinking is the direct cause. This verb is powerful because it assigns responsibility, unlike 'health got bad,' which sounds like an accident.
You will encounter 악화시키다 most frequently in four primary domains: the news, medical consultations, business reports, and serious documentaries. In the nightly news, it is the 'go-to' word for discussing international tensions. For instance, '북한의 미사일 발사는 긴장 상태를 더욱 악화시켰습니다' (North Korea's missile launch further worsened the state of tension). It provides a level of precision that everyday words lack.
환자분, 무리한 운동은 통증을 악화시킬 수 있으니 주의하세요. (Patient, please be careful as excessive exercise can worsen the pain.)
In a hospital setting, doctors use this word to warn patients about behaviors that might interfere with recovery. It sounds professional and authoritative. In business, a manager might say, '이번 리콜 사태는 기업 이미지를 악화시킬 위험이 있습니다' (This recall incident risks worsening the corporate image). Here, it's used for risk assessment and strategic planning.
- Documentary Usage
- Used when narrating the decline of civilizations, ecosystems, or social structures due to specific factors like climate change or war.
While you might not hear a teenager say this to their friend about a broken phone, you will hear it in K-Dramas during intense scenes—perhaps a lawyer arguing a case or a doctor in a high-stakes surgery room. It signals that the situation has moved beyond a simple 'bad' state into a complex, deteriorating 'crisis' state. Listening for the 'sikida' ending helps you identify that someone is being blamed or a specific factor is being identified as the culprit.
금리 인상은 가계 부채 문제를 악화시킬 우려가 있다. (Interest rate hikes are feared to worsen the household debt problem.)
The most common mistake learners make is confusing 악화시키다 (to make worse) with 악화되다 (to become worse). This is a classic 'Active vs. Passive' or 'Causative vs. Inchoative' error. If you say '날씨가 악화시켰다,' you are saying 'The weather worsened (something else),' which leaves the listener waiting for an object. If you meant 'The weather got worse,' you must use '날씨가 악화되었다.'
- The 'Object' Rule
- If there is no 을/를 in the sentence, you probably shouldn't be using 악화시키다. Use 악화되다 instead.
Another mistake is using it for 'positive' things that you want to make 'more intense.' For example, if you want to say 'intensify the passion,' you should use 강화시키다 (strengthen) or 고조시키다 (heighten). Using 악화시키다 for something you like implies you are ruining it. You can 'worsen' a relationship, but you can't 'worsen' a victory.
❌ 기분을 악화시켰다 (Correct, but awkward if you meant 'I made him sad' - '기분을 상하게 했다' is better for personal feelings.)
Thirdly, learners sometimes use it in overly casual contexts. Telling your friend 'You worsened my mood' using 악화시켰어 sounds like you are reading from a textbook or a police report. In casual settings, '기분 잡쳤어' (slang) or '기분 안 좋게 만들었어' is more natural. Save 악화시키다 for when the stakes are higher or the context is formal.
정부의 무관심이 사태를 악화시켰다. (The government's indifference worsened the situation.)
To truly master 악화시키다, you should know its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. The most direct synonym is 저하시키다 (to lower/deteriorate), but this is usually used for quality, efficiency, or ability (e.g., 기능 저하 - functional decline). Another is 심화시키다 (to deepen/intensify), which is often used for conflicts or problems; while 'worsen' is always bad, 'deepen' focuses on the complexity of the issue.
- 악화시키다 vs. 심화시키다
- 악화시키다 focuses on the quality getting 'bad' (health, mood). 심화시키다 focuses on the degree getting 'deep' or 'intense' (conflict, understanding, gap between rich and poor).
- 악화시키다 vs. 해치다
- 해치다 (to harm/damage) is more physical or direct. You 'harm' someone's health, but you 'worsen' a pre-existing condition.
For more common, everyday alternatives, you can use 나쁘게 만들다 (to make bad) or 망치다 (to ruin). 망치다 is much stronger and implies total destruction or failure, like 'ruining a test' or 'ruining a party.' 악화시키다 is more of a gradual or systemic decline.
그의 행동은 불신을 심화시켰다. (His actions deepened the distrust.)
In academic writing, you might also see 가중시키다 (to add weight/increase). This is specifically used for burdens, difficulties, or pressures. '가중시키다' means making a heavy burden even heavier. '악화시키다' is broader and can apply to almost any negative state.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The Hanja 惡 (악) can also be pronounced '오' when it means 'to hate' (as in 증오 - hatred). However, in '악화', it is always '악' meaning 'bad'.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'hwa' as 'wa' (dropping the 'h').
- Mixing up 'sikida' with 'doeda' (passive).
- Failing to aspirate the 'k' in 'ki'.
Difficulty Rating
Common in news, requires Hanja knowledge for quick recognition.
Requires understanding of causative vs passive distinction.
Used in formal presentations or serious discussions.
Clear pronunciation, but context is usually complex.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
-시키다 (Causative suffix)
공부시키다, 이해시키다, 악화시키다
-되다 (Passive/Inchoative suffix)
악화되다, 이해되다, 해결되다
-ㄹ 수 있다 (Possibility)
상황을 악화시킬 수 있습니다.
-ㄹ 우려가 있다 (Concern)
관계를 악화시킬 우려가 있다.
-는 요인/원인 (Noun modifying form)
문제를 악화시키는 요인
Examples by Level
아이스크림은 감기를 악화시켜요.
Ice cream makes the cold worse.
Simple present tense with -여요.
잠을 안 자면 건강을 악화시켜요.
If you don't sleep, it worsens your health.
-면 (if) structure.
비는 기분을 악화시킬 수 있어요.
Rain can make the mood worse.
-ㄹ 수 있다 (can) structure.
싸움은 사이를 악화시켜요.
Fighting makes the relationship worse.
Noun + 은/는 subject marker.
담배는 몸을 악화시켜요.
Cigarettes worsen the body.
Simple transitive structure.
나쁜 소식은 상황을 악화시켜요.
Bad news makes the situation worse.
Adjective + Noun.
술은 병을 악화시킵니다.
Alcohol worsens the disease.
Formal -ㅂ니다 ending.
그 말은 문제를 악화시켰어요.
Those words made the problem worse.
Past tense -였어요.
미세먼지는 목 상태를 악화시킬 수 있어요.
Fine dust can worsen your throat condition.
Object marker -를 used with 상태.
무리한 운동은 통증을 악화시킵니다.
Excessive exercise worsens the pain.
Causative -시키다.
거짓말은 오해를 악화시켰어요.
Lies worsened the misunderstanding.
Past tense of causative.
추운 날씨가 감기를 악화시켰어요.
The cold weather worsened the cold.
Subject marker -가.
매운 음식은 위염을 악화시켜요.
Spicy food worsens gastritis.
Specific medical term 위염.
스트레스가 피부를 악화시킬 수 있어요.
Stress can worsen your skin.
-ㄹ 수 있다 for possibility.
늦게 자는 습관이 건강을 악화시켜요.
The habit of sleeping late worsens health.
Noun phrase as subject.
그의 태도가 문제를 더 악화시켰어요.
His attitude worsened the problem more.
Adverb '더' for emphasis.
지나친 간섭은 자녀와의 관계를 악화시킬 뿐입니다.
Excessive interference only worsens the relationship with one's children.
-ㄹ 뿐이다 (only/nothing but).
환경 오염은 지구 온난화를 악화시키고 있습니다.
Environmental pollution is worsening global warming.
-고 있다 (progressive tense).
잘못된 처방은 환자의 상태를 악화시켰다.
The wrong prescription worsened the patient's condition.
Plain style -다 for writing.
경제 불황이 서민들의 삶을 악화시키고 있다.
The economic recession is worsening the lives of ordinary people.
Subject '경제 불황'.
부정적인 생각은 우울증을 악화시킬 위험이 있다.
Negative thoughts risk worsening depression.
-ㄹ 위험이 있다 (risk of).
소음은 주거 환경을 악화시키는 주요 원인이다.
Noise is a major cause that worsens the living environment.
Adnominal form -는 modifying 원인.
과도한 업무는 직원의 사기를 악화시켰다.
Excessive work worsened the employees' morale.
Abstract noun '사기' (morale).
비난은 갈등을 악화시킬 뿐 해결책이 되지 않는다.
Criticism only worsens conflict and is not a solution.
Contrastive structure.
정치적 갈등은 국가의 이미지를 악화시킬 우려가 있습니다.
Political conflict is feared to worsen the national image.
-ㄹ 우려가 있다 (there is a concern that).
수질 오염은 생태계의 균형을 급격히 악화시켰다.
Water pollution rapidly worsened the balance of the ecosystem.
Adverb '급격히' (rapidly).
이번 조치는 오히려 시장의 혼란을 악화시켰습니다.
This measure rather worsened the confusion in the market.
Adverb '오히려' (rather/on the contrary).
장기간의 가뭄은 농작물의 피해를 악화시키고 있다.
The long-term drought is worsening the damage to crops.
Compound noun '농작물 피해'.
서로에 대한 불신이 상황을 더욱 악화시키는 결과를 낳았다.
Distrust of each other resulted in worsening the situation further.
-는 결과를 낳다 (resulted in).
무분별한 개발은 자연 경관을 악화시키는 요인이 된다.
Indiscriminate development becomes a factor that worsens the natural landscape.
Adjective '무분별한' (indiscriminate).
그의 발언은 양국 간의 외교 관계를 악화시켰다.
His remarks worsened the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
'양국 간' (between both countries).
피로 누적은 면역력을 악화시키는 지름길이다.
Accumulated fatigue is a shortcut to worsening immunity.
Metaphor '지름길' (shortcut).
불평등의 심화는 사회적 결속력을 악화시킬 가능성이 크다.
The deepening of inequality is highly likely to worsen social cohesion.
-ㄹ 가능성이 크다 (highly likely).
인플레이션은 국민들의 실질 구매력을 악화시키고 있다.
Inflation is worsening the actual purchasing power of the citizens.
Economic term '실질 구매력'.
기후 변화는 식량 안보 문제를 더욱 악화시킬 것으로 전망된다.
Climate change is projected to further worsen the food security issue.
-ㄹ 것으로 전망된다 (is projected/forecasted to).
정보의 비대칭성은 시장의 효율성을 악화시키는 요인으로 작용한다.
Information asymmetry acts as a factor that worsens market efficiency.
-로 작용하다 (act as).
인종 차별은 공동체의 통합을 심각하게 악화시켰다.
Racial discrimination seriously worsened the integration of the community.
Adverb '심각하게' (seriously).
무역 규제는 글로벌 공급망의 불안정성을 악화시켰다.
Trade regulations worsened the instability of the global supply chain.
'공급망' (supply chain).
언론의 편향된 보도는 사회적 갈등을 악화시키는 촉매제가 되었다.
Biased media reporting became a catalyst that worsened social conflict.
Metaphor '촉매제' (catalyst).
인구 감소는 지방 경제의 자생력을 악화시키는 근본적인 원인이다.
Population decline is the fundamental cause worsening the self-sustainability of local economies.
'자생력' (self-sustainability).
패권 경쟁은 지정학적 리스크를 악화시키는 핵심 변수로 부상했다.
Hegemonic competition has emerged as a key variable exacerbating geopolitical risks.
'부상하다' (to emerge/rise).
구조적 모순은 계층 간의 위화감을 악화시키는 근원적 요소이다.
Structural contradictions are fundamental elements that worsen the sense of incompatibility between classes.
'위화감' (sense of incompatibility).
사법부의 권위 실추는 법치주의의 근간을 악화시킬 위험을 내포하고 있다.
The loss of authority in the judiciary carries the risk of worsening the foundation of the rule of law.
'내포하고 있다' (to imply/contain).
기술적 결함은 시스템의 신뢰도를 급격히 악화시키는 임계점이 될 수 있다.
Technical flaws can be a tipping point that rapidly worsens the system's reliability.
'임계점' (tipping point).
문화적 제국주의는 토착 문화의 고유성을 악화시킬 우려가 다분하다.
Cultural imperialism is highly likely to worsen the uniqueness of indigenous cultures.
'다분하다' (to be high/plentiful).
무책임한 포퓰리즘은 국가 재정의 건전성을 악화시키는 독소 조항과 같다.
Irresponsible populism is like a toxic clause that worsens the soundness of national finances.
Metaphor '독소 조항' (toxic clause).
생태적 교란은 종의 다양성을 악화시키는 연쇄 반응을 일으켰다.
Ecological disturbance triggered a chain reaction that worsens species diversity.
'연쇄 반응' (chain reaction).
역사 왜곡은 국가 간의 신뢰 관계를 돌이킬 수 없을 정도로 악화시켰다.
Historical distortion worsened the relationship of trust between nations to an irreversible degree.
'돌이킬 수 없을 정도로' (irreversibly).
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Please don't make the situation any worse.
이미 힘드니까 상황을 더 악화시키지 마세요.
— The cause that worsens the problem.
그것이 문제를 악화시키는 원인이 되었습니다.
— It only worsens the relationship.
싸우는 것은 관계를 악화시킬 뿐이다.
— To rapidly worsen one's health.
과로가 그의 건강을 급격히 악화시켰다.
— Factors that worsen the symptoms.
흡연은 증상을 악화시키는 주요 요인이다.
— Remarks that worsen the conflict.
그의 공격적인 발언이 갈등을 악화시켰다.
— To worsen a misunderstanding.
설명이 부족하면 오해를 악화시킬 수 있다.
— To worsen a disease.
잘못된 약 복용은 병을 악화시킨다.
— To worsen anxiety.
공포 영화는 그의 불안을 악화시켰다.
— To worsen a crisis.
잘못된 판단이 위기를 악화시켰다.
Idioms & Expressions
— To pour oil on a fire (to make a bad situation worse).
그의 말은 불에 기름을 붓는 격으로 상황을 악화시켰다.
Common Idiom— Snow on top of frost (one bad thing after another).
설상가상으로 사고까지 나서 상황을 악화시켰다.
Hanja Idiom— Being pushed and then covered (bad thing on bad thing).
엎친 데 덮친 격으로 비까지 와서 상황을 악화시켰다.
Proverb— To scratch and make a sore (to cause trouble unnecessarily).
괜한 말로 긁어 부스럼을 만들어 상황을 악화시켰다.
Proverb— To add anger to anger.
그의 태도는 화에 화를 더해 갈등을 악화시켰다.
Literal— To rub salt in a wound.
그의 비난은 상처에 소금을 뿌리듯 상황을 악화시켰다.
Common Idiom— Went to get a lump removed but came back with another.
문제를 해결하려다 오히려 상황을 악화시켰다.
Proverb— Pouring water into a bottomless pot.
잘못된 대책은 밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기처럼 상황을 악화시킬 뿐이다.
Proverb— To make a move that hurts oneself (Baduk term).
그는 자충수를 두어 자신의 입지를 악화시켰다.
Game-derived Idiom— To dig one's own grave.
그는 거짓말로 자기 무덤을 파 상황을 악화시켰다.
Common IdiomSentence Patterns
[A]은/는 [B]를 악화시킨다.
담배는 건강을 악화시킨다.
[A] 때문에 상황이 악화되었다. (Passive)
비 때문에 상황이 악화되었다.
[A]는 [B]를 악화시킬 우려가 있다.
금리 인상은 가계 부채를 악화시킬 우려가 있다.
[A]는 [B]를 악화시키는 주요 원인이다.
수면 부족은 피로를 악화시키는 주요 원인이다.
[A]가 [B]를 악화시키는 결과를 초래했다.
그의 실수가 관계를 악화시키는 결과를 초래했다.
[A]로 인해 [B]가 급격히 악화되었다. (Passive)
전쟁으로 인해 경제가 급격히 악화되었다.
[A]는 [B]를 악화시키는 기폭제가 되었다.
이번 사건은 갈등을 악화시키는 기폭제가 되었다.
[A]가 [B]를 악화시킬 가능성을 배제할 수 없다.
변이 바이러스가 상황을 악화시킬 가능성을 배제할 수 없다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Ak' as 'Ack!' (expression of disgust) + 'Hwa' as 'Hwaa!' (fire/anger). Making 'Ack-Hwa' happen (Sikida) is making things worse!
Visual Association
Imagine a health bar in a video game turning from yellow to red because a monster (the cause) hit it. That action is '악화시키다'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find one news article today with the word '악화' or '악화시키다'. Write down the cause and the effect.
Word Origin
From Hanja: 惡 (악) meaning 'evil' or 'bad' and 化 (화) meaning 'to become' or 'transform'. Combined with the native Korean causative suffix 시키다.
Original meaning: To cause a transformation into a bad state.
Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).Cultural Context
Be careful when using this word about someone's personal life; it can sound overly clinical or accusatory.
In English, we often use 'exacerbate' in formal writing, which is the perfect equivalent of '악화시키다'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Medical
- 증상을 악화시키다
- 건강을 악화시키다
- 병을 악화시키다
- 통증을 악화시키다
Politics/Diplomacy
- 관계를 악화시키다
- 긴장을 악화시키다
- 갈등을 악화시키다
- 상황을 악화시키다
Economy
- 경제를 악화시키다
- 재정을 악화시키다
- 불황을 악화시키다
- 시장 혼란을 악화시키다
Environment
- 오염을 악화시키다
- 온난화를 악화시키다
- 환경을 악화시키다
- 기후 변화를 악화시키다
Psychology
- 우울증을 악화시키다
- 불안을 악화시키다
- 스트레스를 악화시키다
- 기분을 악화시키다
Conversation Starters
"요즘 미세먼지가 건강을 악화시키는 것 같아요. 어떻게 생각하세요?"
"무엇이 두 나라의 관계를 이렇게 악화시켰을까요?"
"경제 상황이 더 악화되지 않으려면 어떤 대책이 필요할까요?"
"스트레스가 증상을 악화시킬 수 있다는 말을 들어보셨나요?"
"그의 실수가 팀의 분위기를 악화시켰다고 보시나요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 나의 스트레스를 악화시킨 요인은 무엇이었나요? 어떻게 대처했나요?
최근 뉴스에서 상황이 악화되었다는 소식을 들은 적이 있나요? 당신의 생각은?
과거에 나의 행동이 누군가와의 관계를 악화시켰던 경험이 있나요?
건강을 악화시키는 나쁜 습관 세 가지를 적어보고 개선 계획을 세워보세요.
사회적 갈등을 악화시키는 주요 원인은 무엇이라고 생각합니까?
Summary
Use '악화시키다' when you want to identify a specific cause (like stress or a mistake) that is actively making a negative situation (like health or a conflict) even more serious. Example: '담배는 폐 질환을 악화시킨다' (Smoking worsens lung disease).
- A formal causative verb meaning 'to make worse'.
- Commonly used for health, economy, and relationships.
- Requires an object marked with 을/를.
- Contrast with '악화되다' which means 'to become worse' (passive).
Example
대기 오염은 호흡기 질환을 더욱 악화시킨다.
Related Content
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).
