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나빠지다

A2 verb 9 min read

나빠지다

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 나빠지다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 나빠지다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the basic meaning of '나빠지다' as 'to get bad' or 'to get worse.' It is the opposite of '좋아지다' (to get better). You can use it to describe simple changes you observe in your daily life. For example, if the weather was sunny in the morning but starts raining and getting cold in the afternoon, you can say '날씨가 나빠졌어요' (The weather got bad). If you were feeling healthy but suddenly get a cold, you can say '건강이 나빠졌어요.' The most important thing to remember is the conjugation: '나쁘다' (bad) becomes '나빠져요' (gets bad) in the present tense and '나빠졌어요' (got bad) in the past tense. Think of it as a way to show that something changed from 'good' or 'okay' to 'bad.' You will mostly hear this word when people talk about health, the weather, or their mood.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '나빠지다' to describe more specific situations and trends. You should understand that this word is a verb, which means it describes a process of change over time. You can use it with adverbs like '점점' (gradually) or '갑자기' (suddenly) to give more detail. For example, '시력이 점점 나빠지고 있어요' (My eyesight is gradually getting worse). You should also be able to use it in different sentence structures, such as using '-면' (if) to talk about consequences: '잠을 안 자면 건강이 나빠져요' (If you don't sleep, your health gets worse). This level requires you to distinguish between '나쁘다' (a state: it is bad) and '나빠지다' (a change: it became bad). You will also start hearing it in social contexts, such as describing a relationship between friends that isn't as good as it used to be ('사이가 나빠졌어요').

By B1, you should be comfortable using '나빠지다' in a variety of intermediate grammatical patterns. You can use it to describe social and economic phenomena, not just personal ones. For instance, you might discuss how the air quality in a city is deteriorating ('공기가 나빠지는 이유') or how the economy is in a downturn ('경제가 나빠져서 걱정이에요'). You should also start noticing the difference between '나빠지다' and its more formal counterpart '악화되다' (to deteriorate). While '나빠지다' is common in spoken conversation, '악화되다' appears more in news reports and formal writing. You should also be able to use the noun-modifying forms correctly: '나빠진 건강을 회복하기 위해' (In order to recover health that has worsened). At this level, you can also use it to describe abstract concepts like '분위기' (atmosphere) or '인식' (perception/public opinion).

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuanced uses of '나빠지다' in complex sentences and professional contexts. You can use it to explain cause-and-effect relationships in detail. For example, '환율이 오르면서 수입 물가가 비싸지고 서민 경제가 나빠지고 있습니다' (As the exchange rate rises, import prices are becoming expensive and the economy for ordinary people is worsening). You should also be aware of the 'vowel harmony' and morphological rules that govern its formation from '나쁘다' and '-어지다.' You can use it in hypothetical situations or to give advice with more authority: '이런 습관을 계속하면 성격이 나빠질 수도 있어요' (If you continue this habit, even your personality could get worse). You should also be able to recognize it in idiomatic expressions and understand when '안 좋아지다' might be a more culturally appropriate (polite) choice in sensitive social interactions.

At the C1 level, you should have a sophisticated grasp of '나빠지다' and its place within the broader spectrum of 'worsening' verbs in Korean. You can analyze how it is used in literature to describe a character's declining mental state or in editorials to critique a failing policy. You should be able to compare and contrast it with synonyms like '쇠퇴하다' (to decline/decay), '퇴보하다' (to regress), and '타락하다' (to become corrupt/depraved). For instance, while '나빠지다' is general, '퇴보하다' would be used for a regression in technology or human rights. You can use '나빠지다' with complex connectors like '-음에도 불구하고' (despite) or '-기에 망정이지' (it's a good thing that...). Your usage should reflect an understanding of how the word impacts the tone of a sentence, choosing it for natural, native-like daily communication while reserving '악화되다' or '저하되다' for technical precision.

At the C2 level, you use '나빠지다' with the ease of a native speaker, including its use in subtle sarcasm or deep emotional expression. You understand its historical development and how it functions as a core part of the Korean 'change-of-state' verb system. You can discuss the linguistic nuances of how adjectives are transformed into verbs through the '-어지다' suffix and how this affects the transitivity of the sentence. You are capable of using '나빠지다' in high-level debates about sociology, philosophy, or economics, seamlessly switching between colloquial and academic registers. You can interpret the word's usage in ancient texts or modern poetry, where it might be used metaphorically to describe the 'worsening' of an era or the 'decay' of a dream. Your command of the word includes knowing exactly when its simplicity is more powerful than a complex Sino-Korean term.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

나빠지다 in 30 Seconds

나빠지다 means 'to get worse' or 'to deteriorate' from a previous state.
It is a verb formed from the adjective '나쁘다' (bad) + '-어지다' (to become).
Commonly used for health, weather, eyesight, relationships, and the economy.
It is the direct opposite of '좋아지다' (to get better or improve).

The Korean verb 나빠지다 (nabpajida) is an essential term used to describe a negative change in status, quality, or condition. Linguistically, it is a combination of the adjective 나쁘다 (bad) and the auxiliary verb construction -아/어지다, which functions similarly to the English words 'to become' or 'to get.' When you use 나빠지다, you are communicating that something was previously in a better state but has since shifted toward a worse one. This makes it a dynamic verb of change rather than a static description of quality. It is widely used across various domains of daily life, from discussing the weather to analyzing the global economy.

Health and Physical Condition: This is perhaps the most frequent context. When a person's health declines, or a specific organ's function diminishes, Koreans say the condition has 'gotten bad.' For example, vision (시력), health (건강), or a cold (감기) can all '나빠지다.'
Relationships and Social Atmosphere: When two people who used to be friends start fighting or lose trust, their relationship (사이) is described as having 나빠졌다. It also applies to the general mood or atmosphere (분위기) in a room or a company.
Environmental and Economic Factors: External conditions like the weather (날씨), air quality (공기), or the economy (경제) are frequently the subjects of this verb. It implies a deterioration from a standard or a previous high point.

요즘 미세먼지 때문에 공기가 너무 나빠졌어요.

Translation: The air has gotten very bad lately because of fine dust.

Understanding the nuance of 'change' is vital. If you simply say '날씨가 나빠요,' you are stating that the weather is bad right now. However, if you say '날씨가 나빠졌어요,' you are implying that it was okay before but has deteriorated. This distinction is crucial for CEFR A2 learners to master as they begin to describe sequences of events and changes over time. In interpersonal contexts, using this word requires a bit of tact. If you tell someone their face (complexion) has '나빠졌다,' it might be taken as a comment on their health or stress levels, which could be sensitive.

컴퓨터를 너무 많이 해서 시력이 나빠졌나 봐요.

Translation: I think my eyesight got worse because I used the computer too much.

Furthermore, in professional or academic settings, while 나빠지다 is perfectly acceptable, you might encounter the more formal Sino-Korean equivalent, 악화되다 (akhwadoeda). However, in daily conversation, 나빠지다 remains the most natural and versatile choice. It covers a broad spectrum of 'worsening' that English speakers might split into 'deteriorate,' 'decline,' 'fail,' or 'sicken.' By mastering this one verb, a learner can describe a vast array of negative trends in their environment and personal life.

Using 나빠지다 correctly involves understanding its conjugation as a verb. Unlike its root adjective 나쁘다, which describes a state, 나빠지다 describes an action or a process of change. This means it follows verb conjugation rules for tenses and politeness levels. Because it describes a result that has often already occurred, you will frequently see it in the past tense (나빠졌다) or the present progressive (나빠지고 있다) to indicate an ongoing decline.

Past Tense: 나빠졌어요: Used when the deterioration is complete or has already started affecting the situation. '건강이 나빠졌어요' (My health got worse).
Present Progressive: 나빠지고 있어요: Used for a continuous decline. '경제가 점점 나빠지고 있어요' (The economy is gradually getting worse).
Future/Supposition: 나빠질 거예요: Used to predict a decline. '관리를 안 하면 더 나빠질 거예요' (If you don't take care of it, it will get worse).

두 사람의 사이가 갑자기 나빠진 이유가 뭐예요?

Translation: What is the reason the relationship between those two suddenly got worse?

One common structural pattern is [Subject]이/가 나빠지다. Since it is an intransitive verb (it doesn't take a direct object), the thing that is worsening is always the subject, marked by 이 or 가. For instance, in '기분이 나빠지다' (one's mood gets bad), '기분' (mood) is the subject. You cannot 'worsen' something else using this word directly; for that, you would need a causative construction or a different verb like '나쁘게 만들다' (to make something bad).

술을 많이 마시면 간이 나빠질 수 있습니다.

Translation: If you drink a lot of alcohol, your liver can get worse.

When modifying a noun, use the form 나빠진 (past/completed change) or 나빠지는 (ongoing change). For example, '나빠진 건강' refers to 'health that has deteriorated,' while '나빠지는 경제' refers to 'a worsening economy.' This flexibility allows for nuanced descriptions of state and progression, making it a powerful tool for intermediate Korean communication.

The word 나빠지다 is ubiquitous in Korean society, appearing in both mundane daily chats and serious broadcasts. Its versatility makes it a staple of the Korean vocabulary. If you are living in Korea or consuming Korean media, you will encounter this word in several specific scenarios.

The Doctor's Office (병원): Doctors often use this to describe a patient's progress. They might say, '수치가 조금 나빠졌네요' (The levels/stats have gotten a bit worse) or '상태가 나빠지기 전에 치료해야 합니다' (We must treat it before the condition worsens).
News and Weather Reports (뉴스/일기예보): News anchors use it to discuss social trends. You'll hear phrases like '대기 질이 나빠지겠습니다' (The air quality will worsen) or '소비 심리가 나빠지고 있습니다' (Consumer sentiment is worsening).
Office Gossip and Drama (회사/드라마): In K-dramas, characters often talk about their relationships. '우리 사이가 왜 이렇게 나빠졌지?' (Why did our relationship get so bad?) is a classic line reflecting emotional distance or conflict.

오후부터 날씨가 나빠질 예정이니 우산을 챙기세요.

Translation: The weather is expected to get worse from the afternoon, so please bring an umbrella.

In a cultural context, Koreans are often very sensitive to 'changes' in atmosphere or health. If you look tired, a colleague might say '안색이 나빠졌어요' (Your complexion has gotten worse/pale), which is usually an expression of concern rather than an insult. Similarly, in the competitive educational landscape, parents and teachers might worry about a student's '성적이 나빠지다' (grades getting worse).

최근 경제 상황이 나빠지면서 폐업하는 가게가 늘고 있습니다.

Translation: As the economic situation has worsened recently, the number of shops closing down is increasing.

Whether you're reading a newspaper headline or chatting with a friend about why a local restaurant's food isn't as good as it used to be, 나빠지다 provides the necessary linguistic framework to discuss the downward trends of life.

Even though 나빠지다 seems straightforward, learners often make specific errors when trying to integrate it into natural conversation. The most frequent mistakes involve confusing it with the base adjective 나쁘다 or misapplying it to situations where a more specific verb is required.

Confusing 'State' vs. 'Change': Mistake: '어제부터 날씨가 나빠요.' (The weather is bad since yesterday.) Correction: '어제부터 날씨가 나빠졌어요.' (The weather got bad since yesterday.) Use 나빠지다 when you want to emphasize the transition from good to bad.
Using it with People's Personality: While you can say '그 사람은 나빠요' (He is bad), saying '그 사람은 나빠졌어요' is rare unless you mean he has undergone a moral decline. For a temporary bad mood, use '기분이 안 좋아졌어요'.
Overusing it in Formal Writing: In academic papers or formal news reports, '악화되다' (to deteriorate) is often preferred. Using '나빠지다' in a high-level thesis might sound slightly too informal or colloquial.

❌ 건강이 나쁘다졌어요. (Wrong conjugation)

Correct: 건강이 나빠졌어요.

Another mistake is forgetting that 나빠지다 is an intransitive verb. You cannot say '나는 내 시력을 나빠졌어요' (I worsened my eyesight). Instead, you must say '내 시력이 나빠졌어요' (My eyesight got worse). If you want to say you did something to make it worse, you would say '시력을 나쁘게 만들었어요' or '시력을 떨어뜨렸어요' (lowered my eyesight).

❌ 경제가 나빠지는 중이에요. (Grammatically okay, but less natural)

More Natural: 경제가 나빠지고 있어요.

Finally, learners often forget the 'vowel harmony' rule when conjugating. Since the last vowel of the stem '나쁘-' is 'ㅡ', and the vowel before it is 'ㅏ', the 'ㅡ' drops and combines with '-아지다' to become '나빠지다'. Writing '나쁘어지다' is a common beginner mistake that should be avoided to reach A2 proficiency.

While 나빠지다 is a great 'catch-all' word for things getting worse, Korean has several other terms that might be more precise depending on the context. Knowing these will help you sound more like a native speaker and improve your reading comprehension of news and literature.

악화되다 (Deteriorate/Worsen): This is the Sino-Korean (Hanja) version of 나빠지다. It is formal and often used in medical, political, or economic contexts. '상태가 급격히 악화되었습니다' (The condition worsened rapidly).
안 좋아지다 (To become not good): This is a softer, more euphemistic way to say 나빠지다. Koreans often use this when they want to be polite or less blunt, especially regarding someone's health or a sensitive situation.
저하되다 (To decline/fall): Used when a specific function, ability, or efficiency drops. Often used for '기능 저하' (decline in function) or '면역력 저하' (decline in immunity).
틀어지다 (To go sour/get twisted): Specifically used for relationships or plans that have gone wrong or 'twisted.' It implies a sudden break in harmony.

환자의 상태가 악화되어 중환자실로 옮겼습니다.

Translation: The patient's condition worsened, so they were moved to the intensive care unit.

Comparing '나빠지다' and '안 좋아지다': If you say '기분이 나빠졌어요,' it sounds like you are actually angry or upset. If you say '기분이 안 좋아졌어요,' it sounds more like you are feeling down or slightly bothered. Choosing between these two depends on how much emphasis you want to put on the 'badness' of the state.

두 사람의 관계가 틀어지는 바람에 프로젝트가 중단됐어요.

Translation: Because the relationship between the two went sour, the project was suspended.

In summary, while 나빠지다 is your reliable 'everyday' word, expanding your vocabulary to include 악화되다 for formal settings and 안 좋아지다 for social delicacy will significantly enhance your Korean fluency. Pay attention to the context of the 'worsening' to pick the most natural-sounding word.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The suffix '-어지다' is one of the most productive ways in Korean to turn an adjective (describing a state) into a verb (describing a change). Without it, Korean adjectives cannot easily show progression.

Pronunciation Guide

UK na-ppa-ji-da

US na-ppa-ji-da

The primary emphasis is on the second syllable '빠' (ppa) due to the double consonant.

Rhymes With

예뻐지다 (to get pretty) 바빠지다 (to get busy) 기뻐지다 (to get happy) 슬퍼지다 (to get sad) 아파지다 (to start hurting) 커지다 (to get big) 작아지다 (to get small) 멀어지다 (to get far)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ㅃ' as a soft 'p' (like 'b' or 'p' in English). It must be tense.
Changing the vowel 'ㅏ' to 'ㅓ' (saying '나뻐지다'). While common in some dialects, it is incorrect in standard Korean.
Failing to elide the 'ㅡ' from '나쁘다' when adding '-어지다'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as it's built from the common word '나쁘다'.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct conjugation of 'ㅡ' stem and '-어지다' suffix.

Speaking 2/5

Common in daily speech and easy to incorporate into basic sentences.

Listening 2/5

Very common in news and daily conversation; easily identifiable.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

나쁘다 (bad) 좋다 (good) 좋아지다 (to get better) -아/어지다 (to become)

Learn Next

악화되다 (to deteriorate - formal) 개선되다 (to be improved) 심각하다 (to be serious) 상태 (condition)

Advanced

쇠퇴하다 (to decline) 퇴보하다 (to regress) 악순환 (vicious cycle) 침체되다 (to be stagnant/depressed)

Grammar to Know

-아/어지다

예쁘다 -> 예뻐지다 (To become pretty)

Vowel Harmony (ㅡ elision)

나쁘다 + 어지다 -> 나빠지다

-(으)ㄴ 탓에 (Negative cause)

날씨가 나빠진 탓에 집에 있었어요.

점점 (Gradually)

상황이 점점 나빠지고 있어요.

-기 전에 (Before)

더 나빠지기 전에 고치세요.

Examples by Level

날씨가 나빠졌어요.

The weather got bad.

Past tense of 나빠지다.

기분이 나빠요.

I feel bad / My mood is bad.

Base adjective 나쁘다 (not change yet).

눈이 나빠졌어요.

My eyes (eyesight) got worse.

Used for physical deterioration.

감기가 나빠졌어요.

The cold got worse.

Describes health declining.

우유 맛이 나빠졌어요.

The milk taste got bad.

Describes quality change.

공기가 나빠요.

The air is bad.

Simple state description.

사이가 나빠졌어요.

The relationship got bad.

Describes social change.

성적이 나빠졌어요.

Grades got worse.

Describes academic decline.

요즘 공기가 점점 나빠지고 있어요.

The air is gradually getting worse lately.

-고 있다 (present progressive) shows ongoing change.

어제보다 기분이 더 나빠졌어요.

I feel even worse than yesterday.

Comparison using -보다.

너무 많이 먹으면 건강이 나빠져요.

If you eat too much, your health gets bad.

-면 (if) indicates a condition.

비가 와서 날씨가 나빠졌나 봐요.

I guess the weather got bad because of the rain.

-나 보다 (supposition/guess).

친구랑 싸워서 사이가 나빠졌어요.

My relationship with my friend got bad because we fought.

-아/어서 (reason/cause).

컴퓨터를 많이 하면 시력이 나빠질 수 있어요.

If you use the computer a lot, your eyesight can get worse.

-ㄹ 수 있다 (possibility).

경제 상황이 나빠져서 걱정이에요.

I'm worried because the economic situation got worse.

Abstract concept: economy.

관리를 안 하면 피부가 나빠져요.

If you don't take care of it, your skin gets bad.

Generic truth/habit.

환경 오염으로 인해 대기 질이 나빠지고 있습니다.

The air quality is worsening due to environmental pollution.

-로 인해 (due to) is formal.

나빠진 건강을 회복하려면 운동을 해야 해요.

To recover your worsened health, you must exercise.

Noun-modifying form '나빠진'.

두 나라의 관계가 나빠질까 봐 걱정입니다.

I'm worried that the relationship between the two countries might get worse.

-ㄹ까 봐 (fear/worry that...).

술과 담배는 건강을 나빠지게 하는 원인입니다.

Alcohol and cigarettes are causes that make health get worse.

-게 하다 (causative-like structure).

갑자기 분위기가 나빠져서 당황했어요.

I was flustered because the atmosphere suddenly got bad.

Abstract: atmosphere (분위기).

성적이 나빠진 이유를 모르겠어요.

I don't know the reason why the grades got worse.

Indirect question structure.

경제가 나빠지면서 실업률이 올라갔어요.

As the economy worsened, the unemployment rate went up.

-(으)면서 (while/as).

상태가 더 나빠지기 전에 병원에 가세요.

Go to the hospital before the condition gets any worse.

-기 전에 (before).

미중 무역 갈등으로 인해 세계 경제가 나빠질 것으로 보입니다.

The global economy is expected to worsen due to US-China trade tensions.

-ㄹ 것으로 보이다 (it appears that.../expected to...).

스트레스는 만병의 근원으로, 면역력을 나빠지게 합니다.

Stress is the root of all diseases and makes immunity worse.

Formal explanation style.

오해가 쌓이면서 두 사람의 사이가 걷잡을 수 없이 나빠졌습니다.

As misunderstandings piled up, the relationship between the two became uncontrollably bad.

걷잡을 수 없이 (uncontrollably).

공기가 나빠지는 것을 막기 위해 정책을 세워야 합니다.

We must establish policies to prevent the air from getting worse.

-는 것을 막기 위해 (to prevent...).

시력이 나빠진 탓에 안경을 새로 맞춰야 했어요.

Because my eyesight got worse, I had to get new glasses.

-(으)ㄴ 탓에 (due to a negative cause).

경기가 나빠지자 소비자들이 지갑을 닫기 시작했습니다.

As the economy got bad, consumers began to close their wallets.

-자 (as soon as/since).

관계를 회복하려고 노력했지만 상황은 더 나빠졌을 뿐입니다.

I tried to restore the relationship, but the situation only got worse.

-(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 (only/nothing but).

기후 변화로 인해 농작물의 품질이 나빠질까 우려됩니다.

There are concerns that the quality of crops might worsen due to climate change.

우려되다 (to be concerned).

대외 여건이 급격히 나빠짐에 따라 수출 실적도 하락세를 보이고 있습니다.

As external conditions have worsened sharply, export performance is also showing a downward trend.

-음 에 따라 (according to/as a result of).

인간관계가 나빠지는 근본적인 원인은 소통의 부재에 있습니다.

The fundamental cause of deteriorating human relationships lies in the absence of communication.

Abstract philosophical statement.

도덕적 해이가 심해지면서 사회적 분위기가 나빠지는 추세입니다.

As moral hazard worsens, the social atmosphere is on a downward trend.

-는 추세이다 (to be a trend).

건강이 나빠졌음에도 불구하고 그는 일을 멈추지 않았습니다.

Despite his health having worsened, he did not stop working.

-음에도 불구하고 (despite).

시력이 더 나빠지기 전에 수술을 받는 것이 현명한 선택일 수 있습니다.

Getting surgery before your eyesight gets any worse could be a wise choice.

Advisory tone.

정치적 갈등이 깊어질수록 국가 경쟁력은 나빠질 수밖에 없습니다.

The deeper the political conflict, the more national competitiveness is bound to worsen.

-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 (cannot help but...).

환경이 나빠지는 속도가 예상보다 훨씬 빠릅니다.

The speed at which the environment is worsening is much faster than expected.

Comparative emphasis.

한 번 나빠진 사이는 다시 되돌리기가 쉽지 않습니다.

Once a relationship has gone bad, it is not easy to turn it back.

Gerund form -기.

국가 간의 신뢰가 나빠지면 국제 질서는 혼란에 빠질 위험이 큽니다.

If trust between nations deteriorates, the international order is at high risk of falling into chaos.

High-level geopolitical analysis.

인간의 탐욕이 지구의 생태계를 나빠지게 하는 주범이라는 사실을 부인할 수 없습니다.

It cannot be denied that human greed is the main culprit in the deterioration of the Earth's ecosystem.

Complex noun-clause structure.

사회의 공정성이 나빠지는 징조들이 곳곳에서 포착되고 있습니다.

Signs of deteriorating social fairness are being captured everywhere.

Passive voice '포착되고 있다'.

시력이 나빠지는 것과 노화 사이의 상관관계를 심층 분석한 논문입니다.

This is a paper that deeply analyzes the correlation between worsening eyesight and aging.

Academic context.

치안이 나빠짐으로써 시민들의 불안감이 가중되고 있는 상황입니다.

As public safety worsens, the anxiety of citizens is being aggravated.

-(으)ㅁ으로써 (by/through).

두 사람의 우정이 나빠진 것은 사소한 오해에서 비롯된 비극이었습니다.

The deterioration of their friendship was a tragedy stemming from a trivial misunderstanding.

Literary tone.

경제 지표가 나빠지는 추이를 지켜보며 대응책을 마련해야 합니다.

We must prepare countermeasures while monitoring the trend of worsening economic indicators.

Sophisticated professional vocabulary.

언론의 자유가 나빠지는 현상은 민주주의의 후퇴를 의미합니다.

The phenomenon of worsening press freedom signifies a retreat of democracy.

Political philosophy context.

Common Collocations

건강이 나빠지다

시력이 나빠지다

사이가 나빠지다

날씨가 나빠지다

경제가 나빠지다

기분이 나빠지다

성적이 나빠지다

공기가 나빠지다

상태가 나빠지다

분위기가 나빠지다

Common Phrases

점점 나빠지다

— To gradually get worse over time.

상황이 점점 나빠지고 있어요.

갑자기 나빠지다

— To suddenly deteriorate without warning.

할아버지의 건강이 갑자기 나빠지셨어요.

더 나빠지다

— To get even worse than before.

비가 오면 길이 더 나빠질 거예요.

나빠지기 시작하다

— To start getting worse.

작년부터 경제가 나빠지기 시작했어요.

나빠질 대로 나빠지다

— To get as bad as it can possibly get.

두 사람의 관계는 나빠질 대로 나빠졌어요.

나빠질 수 있다

— There is a possibility of getting worse.

관리를 안 하면 더 나빠질 수 있어요.

나빠지는 추세이다

— To be on a worsening trend.

출산율이 나빠지는 추세입니다.

나빠졌나 보다

— It seems to have gotten worse (making a guess).

목소리를 보니 감기가 나빠졌나 봐요.

나빠지지 않게

— So that it doesn't get worse (preventative).

더 나빠지지 않게 조심하세요.

나빠진 탓에

— Because it got worse (blaming the deterioration).

날씨가 나빠진 탓에 소풍이 취소됐어요.

Often Confused With

나빠지다 vs 나쁘다

나쁘다 is an adjective (state), 나빠지다 is a verb (change).

나빠지다 vs 안 좋다

Similar in meaning, but 나빠지다 specifically emphasizes the 'becoming' part.

나빠지다 vs 망가지다

망가지다 is for physical objects breaking; 나빠지다 is for quality/condition.

Idioms & Expressions

"낯빛이 나빠지다"

— For one's complexion to turn bad, often due to health or shock.

소식을 듣자마자 그의 낯빛이 나빠졌다.

Neutral

"인심이 나빠지다"

— For people's generosity or kindness in a society to decline.

경제가 어려워지니 인심이 나빠졌어요.

Colloquial

"버릇이 나빠지다"

— For a child's habits or manners to become bad/spoiled.

아이의 버릇이 나빠지지 않게 잘 가르쳐야 해요.

Neutral

"입맛이 나빠지다"

— To lose one's appetite or for one's palate to become less discerning.

감기 때문에 입맛이 나빠졌어요.

Colloquial

"머리가 나빠지다"

— Literally 'to get dumber,' often used as a lighthearted warning.

공부를 안 하면 머리가 나빠져요.

Informal

"성격이 나빠지다"

— For one's personality to become sour or irritable.

스트레스 때문에 성격이 나빠진 것 같아요.

Neutral

"평판이 나빠지다"

— For one's reputation to deteriorate.

거짓말을 하면 평판이 나빠집니다.

Formal

"질이 나빠지다"

— For the quality of a product or a person's character to decline.

그 식당은 예전보다 음식의 질이 나빠졌어요.

Neutral

"상황이 나빠지다"

— For a situation to become unfavorable.

상황이 나빠지기 전에 도망쳐야 해요.

Neutral

"기색이 나빠지다"

— For one's expression or signs of health to look bad.

환자의 기색이 나빠져서 의사를 불렀어요.

Formal

Easily Confused

나빠지다 vs 나쁘다

Both mean 'bad'.

나쁘다 describes a current state ('It is bad'). 나빠지다 describes a change ('It got bad').

이 사과는 나빠요 (This apple is bad). 사과가 나빠졌어요 (The apple got bad/rotten).

나빠지다 vs 악화되다

Both mean 'to get worse'.

악화되다 is more formal and Sino-Korean. 나빠지다 is native Korean and common in speech.

상태가 악화되었습니다 (Formal report).

나빠지다 vs 틀어지다

Both used for relationships.

틀어지다 implies a sudden break or twisting of a relationship; 나빠지다 is more general.

친구랑 사이가 틀어졌어.

나빠지다 vs 떨어지다

Both mean a decline.

떨어지다 is used for grades or prices (falling); 나빠지다 is for general quality/health.

성적이 떨어졌어요.

나빠지다 vs 고장 나다

Both mean something is not working.

고장 나다 is for machines/electronics; 나빠지다 is for abstract conditions/health.

컴퓨터가 고장 났어요.

Sentence Patterns

N이/가 나빠졌어요.

날씨가 나빠졌어요.

점점 나빠지고 있어요.

공기가 점점 나빠지고 있어요.

V-면 나빠져요.

술을 마시면 건강이 나빠져요.

나빠진 N을/를 V.

나빠진 시력을 치료해요.

나빠질까 봐 걱정이에요.

경제가 나빠질까 봐 걱정이에요.

나빠지는 추세입니다.

출산율이 나빠지는 추세입니다.

나빠짐에 따라...

대외 환경이 나빠짐에 따라...

나빠지는 징조가 포착되다.

치안이 나빠지는 징조가 포착되었다.

Word Family

Nouns

나쁨

Verbs

나쁘다

나빠지다

Adjectives

나쁜

악화 (deterioration)

최악 (the worst)

불량 (defect/bad quality)

해롭다 (harmful)

나쁘다 (bad)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Korean.

Common Mistakes

나쁘어지다 → 나빠지다
The 'ㅡ' in '나쁘다' is irregular and drops before vowels, and vowel harmony requires 'ㅏ' after '나'.
눈을 나빠졌어요 → 눈이 나빠졌어요
나빠지다 is intransitive and cannot take an object marker (을/를).
나뻐졌어요 → 나빠졌어요
This is a common misspelling based on colloquial pronunciation; '나빠' is the standard form.
경제가 나빠요 (when meaning 'got worse') → 경제가 나빠졌어요
Using the adjective '나쁘다' only describes the current state, not the process of worsening.
성격이 나빠졌어요 (to mean 'I'm in a bad mood') → 기분이 안 좋아졌어요
'성격이 나빠지다' refers to a permanent change in personality, not a temporary mood.

Tips

Conjugation Rule

Remember: 나쁘다 + 어지다 = 나빠지다. The 'ㅡ' drops because it meets a vowel, and 'ㅏ' is chosen because of the 'ㅏ' in '나'.

Softening the Blow

When telling a friend they look tired, use '안 좋아 보여요' or '건강이 안 좋아진 것 같아요' instead of the blunter '나빠졌어요'.

Opposite Pair

Always learn '나빠지다' with '좋아지다' (to get better). They are a perfect pair for describing any change.

Natural Adverbs

Pair it with '부쩍' (remarkably/suddenly) or '부쩍 나빠졌어요' to sound very natural when describing a noticeable change.

Relationship Context

If you say '사이가 나빠졌다', it often implies a serious conflict, not just a small disagreement.

Noun Form

The noun form '나빠짐' can be used in bullet points or titles, like '공기 질의 나빠짐' (The worsening of air quality).

News Keywords

In news, listen for '기상 악화' (weather worsening) which is a formal way to say '날씨가 나빠짐'.

Double Consonant

Make sure to double the 'p' sound in 'ppa'. It should sound sharp, not soft like 'ba'.

Inchoative Verbs

Understand that '-어지다' verbs are inchoative, meaning they focus on the start of a new state.

Health Concern

In Korea, commenting on someone's health getting worse is often seen as a sign of intimacy and care.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '나' (Na - me) and '빠' (Ppa - like 'drop' or 'fall' in some contexts). When 'Me' (Na) 'Falls' (Ppa), things 'get bad' (나빠지다).

Visual Association

Imagine a red arrow pointing down on a chart, or a bright sun being covered by dark, ugly storm clouds.

Word Web

건강 (Health) 날씨 (Weather) 시력 (Eyesight) 사이 (Relationship) 경제 (Economy) 기분 (Mood) 성적 (Grades) 상태 (Condition)

Challenge

Try to find three things in the news today that are '나빠지고 있어요' and write them down in Korean.

Word Origin

Derived from the native Korean adjective '나쁘다' (bad). The adjective '나쁘다' has roots in Middle Korean '나쁘다'. It is then combined with the auxiliary verb pattern '-아/어지다' which indicates a change in state.

Original meaning: The root '나쁘다' historically meant 'not good' or 'deficient.'

Koreanic (Native Korean origin).

Cultural Context

Be careful when telling someone their 'complexion' (안색) has '나빠졌다.' It's an expression of concern but can be sensitive if the person is self-conscious about their appearance.

English speakers often use 'getting worse' or 'deteriorating.' Unlike English, Korean uses the same word for both 'the weather is getting bad' and 'my eyesight is failing.'

K-Drama trope: Relationships '나빠지다' due to a misunderstanding involving a rich mother-in-law. News headlines about '미세먼지' (fine dust) making the air quality '나빠지다'. Songs about a breakup where the '분위기' (atmosphere) gets bad.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Health

건강이 나빠지다
시력이 나빠지다
상태가 나빠지다
몸이 나빠지다

Weather

날씨가 나빠지다
공기가 나빠지다
기상이 나빠지다
하늘이 나빠지다

Relationships

사이가 나빠지다
관계가 나빠지다
분위기가 나빠지다
민심이 나빠지다

Economy

경제가 나빠지다
경기가 나빠지다
형편이 나빠지다
수익이 나빠지다

Personal Attributes

성격이 나빠지다
버릇이 나빠지다
기분이 나빠지다
낯빛이 나빠지다

Conversation Starters

"요즘 날씨가 갑자기 나빠진 것 같지 않아요? (Don't you think the weather suddenly got bad lately?)"

"스마트폰을 너무 많이 해서 시력이 나빠졌어요. (My eyesight got worse because I used my smartphone too much.)"

"두 사람이 왜 사이가 나빠졌는지 아세요? (Do you know why those two's relationship got bad?)"

"경제가 나빠져서 걱정하는 사람들이 많아요. (There are many people worried because the economy got worse.)"

"어떻게 하면 건강이 나빠지는 걸 막을 수 있을까요? (How can we prevent our health from getting worse?)"

Journal Prompts

최근에 당신의 생활 습관 중에서 나빠진 것이 있나요? (Is there anything in your lifestyle habits that has gotten worse recently?)

친구와 사이가 나빠졌을 때 어떻게 해결하나요? (How do you resolve it when your relationship with a friend gets bad?)

우리나라의 경제가 나빠진다면 어떤 일이 일어날까요? (What would happen if our country's economy got worse?)

환경 오염으로 인해 공기가 나빠지는 것에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요? (What do you think about the air getting worse due to environmental pollution?)

건강이 나빠졌던 경험과 어떻게 회복했는지 써 보세요. (Write about an experience when your health got worse and how you recovered.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it's strong. '성격이 나빠졌다' means someone's character has deteriorated over time, perhaps becoming meaner or more irritable.

No. Although some people pronounce it that way, the standard spelling is always '나빠지다' due to vowel harmony.

'안 좋아지다' is literally 'to become not good,' which is a softer way to express a negative change. '나빠지다' is more direct.

Usually, for food that has spoiled, '상하다' is used. '나빠지다' would refer more to the quality of a restaurant's food over time.

It is a verb. Any word ending in '-아/어지다' functions as a verb because it describes a process of change.

No. It is an intransitive verb. You must say '내 시력이 나빠졌어요' (My eyesight got worse).

You can say '더 나빠지지 않게 하세요' or '더 나빠지지 않게 조심하세요'.

Use '악화되다' in formal writing, news reports, or medical documents.

Yes, '경제가 나빠지다' is a very common phrase for an economic downturn.

No, use '고장 나다' for mechanical failures.