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B2 adjective 8 min read

역부족이다

yeokbujogida
Examples 역부족이다 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 역부족이다 in your Level:
At the A1 level, '역부족이다' is quite advanced. However, you can think of it as a very strong way to say 'I can't.' Imagine you are trying to lift a house. You would say 'I can't' (못해요). '역부족이다' is like saying 'My muscles are too small for this house.' It combines the idea of 'power' (like a superhero) and 'not enough' (like having no milk in the fridge). You don't need to use it yet, but if you hear '부족' (bu-jok), it means 'not enough.'
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For A2 learners, you might start seeing this word in news titles or simple stories. It is a combination of Hanja: 'Yeok' means power, and 'Bujok' means not enough. So, 'Yeok-bu-jok' means your power is not enough for a specific job. You can use it when you try to do something big, like finishing a whole book in one day, and you realize you can't. Instead of just '힘들어요' (it's hard), you say '역부족이에요' to sound more serious.
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At the B1 level, you should begin to distinguish between '부족하다' (general insufficiency) and '역부족이다' (insufficiency of capability for a task). You will likely use the pattern '~기에는 역부족이다'. For example, if you are talking about a soccer match where a small team played a big team, you can say '실력 차이가 커서 역부족이었어요' (The skill gap was big, so it was beyond their power). This shows you understand the relationship between effort and capacity.
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B2 learners are expected to use '역부족이다' in formal contexts like presentations or essays. It is a perfect word to describe social issues or business challenges. For instance, when discussing environmental problems, you might say '개인의 노력만으로는 기후 변화를 막기에 역부족이다' (Individual efforts alone are insufficient to stop climate change). This level requires understanding that '역부족' is not just about physical strength but also about resources, time, and systematic power.
At the C1 level, you should use '역부족' with nuanced collocations like '절대적 역부족' (absolute insufficiency) or '역부족을 실감하다' (to keenly realize one's lack of power). You should be able to use it to analyze complex political or historical events, explaining how certain figures failed despite their intentions because the '역부족' of their position or the era they lived in. It becomes a tool for sophisticated critique.
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For C2 speakers, '역부족이다' is a standard part of a high-level vocabulary. You can use it in literary analysis or philosophical debates. You might discuss the 'existential 역부족' of humans facing nature. At this level, you also recognize the word's presence in idiomatic expressions and can manipulate the sentence structure to emphasize different aspects of the insufficiency, such as using it in a rhetorical question or a concessive clause ('역부족임에도 불구하고...' - Despite being beyond one's power...).
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Examples

역부족이다 in 30 Seconds

  • 역부족이다 means your current power or resources are not enough to reach a goal.
  • It comes from Hanja: 力 (Power) + 不 (Not) + 足 (Enough).
  • Commonly used in formal settings like news, business, and sports to explain failure.
  • Often paired with '~기에는' (to do something) or '~만으로는' (with only...).

The Korean expression 역부족이다 (力不足이다) is a sophisticated yet commonly used descriptive verb that translates to 'to be beyond one's power,' 'to be insufficient,' or 'to be inadequate for the task at hand.' It is derived from three Hanja characters: 力 (Power/Strength), 不 (Not), and 足 (Sufficient/Foot). When combined, they literally describe a situation where the available strength or resources simply do not reach the required level to achieve a specific goal. This word is essential for English speakers because it captures a nuance that 'impossible' or 'hard' does not; it implies that while effort might be present, the inherent capacity or scale of resources is the limiting factor.

Formal Nuance
This term is frequently used in news reports, business meetings, and literary contexts to describe systemic failures or the limitations of a single individual against a massive challenge. It sounds more objective and analytical than simply saying 'I can't do it.'

아무리 노력해도 혼자서는 역부족이다.

No matter how hard I try, doing it alone is beyond my power.

In daily life, you might hear this when discussing a sports team that played well but lost to a much stronger opponent, or when a student realizes that studying for only one hour for a major exam is simply not enough. It is not an admission of laziness, but rather an admission of a gap between reality and the requirement. For example, if a small startup tries to compete with a global conglomerate without any funding, they might say their current budget is '역부족이다'.

Comparative Context
While '불가능하다' (impossible) suggests a total lack of possibility, '역부족이다' suggests that the 'power' (역) is simply 'insufficient' (부족). It leaves room for the idea that with more help or more time, it might have been possible.

그의 실력으로는 이 문제를 해결하기에 역부족이었다.

With his current skills, it was beyond his power to solve this problem.

Culturally, Koreans value 'willpower' (의지), but '역부족이다' serves as a realistic anchor. It is a humble way to acknowledge limitations. In historical dramas (Sageuk), a general might report to the King that their small army is '역부족' against the invading forces, emphasizing the need for reinforcements rather than a lack of courage.

Grammar Note
It is an adjective (descriptive verb) ending in '이다'. It is often used with the pattern '~기에는 역부족이다' (to be insufficient for doing something) or '~에는 역부족이다' (to be insufficient for something).

Using 역부족이다 correctly requires understanding its role as a predicate that evaluates a situation. It rarely describes a person directly (e.g., 'He is insufficient' sounds odd); instead, it describes the *state* of one's ability or resources relative to a goal. The most common grammatical structure is [Subject/Situation] + [Noun] + -기에는 역부족이다.

Common Pattern 1: ~기에는 역부족이다
This means 'It is insufficient to [verb].' Example: '혼자서 짐을 다 옮기기에는 역부족이다.' (It is beyond my power to move all the luggage alone.)

지금의 예산으로는 프로젝트를 완성하기에 역부족입니다.

With the current budget, it is insufficient to complete the project.

Another frequent usage is with the particle -만으로는 (with only...). This emphasizes that a specific factor, while present, is not enough on its own. For instance, '열정만으로는 역부족이다' (Passion alone is not enough). This is a common phrase in advice-giving contexts, suggesting that while passion is good, skill or resources are also necessary.

Common Pattern 2: [Noun] + 만으로는 역부족이다
Example: '이론만으로는 실전에서 역부족일 수 있다.' (Theory alone might be insufficient in actual practice.)

When you want to sound more formal or written, you can use the noun form 역부족 followed by the verb 느끼다 (to feel). For example, '자신의 한계와 역부족을 느꼈다' (I felt my limits and my lack of power). This adds a layer of personal reflection to the statement.

상대 팀의 전력이 너무 강해 우리 팀으로서는 역부족이었다.

The opponent's strength was so great that it was beyond our team's power.
Negative Form?
While you can technically say '역부족이 아니다' (It's not insufficient), it is much more common to use positive words like '충분하다' (to be sufficient) or '능력 있다' (to be capable). '역부족이다' is almost exclusively used to highlight a deficit.

You will encounter 역부족이다 in various professional and media-driven environments. It is a favorite of news anchors, sports commentators, and political analysts. In a news broadcast, you might hear: '정부의 대책만으로는 이번 경제 위기를 극복하기에 역부족이라는 지적이 나오고 있습니다' (Points are being made that the government's measures alone are insufficient to overcome this economic crisis).

In the Office
Managers might use this to justify why a project was delayed or why more staff needs to be hired. '현재 인원으로는 업무량을 감당하기에 역부족입니다.' (With the current staff, it is beyond our power to handle the workload.)

경찰 인력만으로는 대규모 시위를 막기에 역부족이었다.

The police force alone was insufficient to block the large-scale protest.

In K-Dramas, particularly those involving high-stakes business or historical conflict, characters use this word to express despair or the need for a strategic alliance. A protagonist might realize that their individual talent is '역부족' against a corrupt system, leading to a plot point where they must find allies. It adds a sense of gravity and realism to the dialogue.

Sports Commentary
'신인 선수가 베테랑 선수를 상대하기에는 아직 역부족입니다.' (It is still beyond the rookie player's power to face the veteran player.) This highlights the experience gap.

재능은 뛰어나지만 경험 면에서는 역부족이다.

The talent is outstanding, but in terms of experience, it is insufficient.

Finally, in academic or self-help literature, '역부족' is used to discuss the limitations of human nature or current technology. For example, a science article might state that '현재의 기술력으로는 화성 이주가 역부족이다' (With current technology, migrating to Mars is beyond our power). This usage is very common in formal writing (Non-fiction).

While 역부족이다 is a powerful word, learners often misuse it by confusing it with simple adjectives like '부족하다' (to be lacking) or '힘들다' (to be difficult). Understanding the distinction is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Mistake 1: Using it for simple quantities
You cannot use '역부족' to say you don't have enough water in a glass. '물이 역부족이다' (X) is incorrect. You should say '물이 부족하다' (O). '역부족' specifically refers to 'power' or 'capability' relative to a task.

돈이 부족하다 (O) vs 돈이 역부족이다 (X)

Use '부족하다' for physical quantities. However, '예산이 프로젝트를 진행하기에 역부족이다' is correct because it links the money to a capability.

Another common error is treating it like an active verb. You cannot 'do' 역부족. It is a state. Therefore, '역부족해요' is the correct polite form, not '역부족해요' (Wait, they look the same? Let's clarify). It's an adjective-like noun + 이다 structure. You don't say '나는 역부족했다' to mean 'I failed.' You say '내 힘으로는 역부족이었다' (With my strength, it was insufficient).

Mistake 2: Confusing with '힘에 부치다'
'힘에 부치다' means something is physically or mentally 'too much' or 'strenuous' for you. '역부족이다' is more about the objective lack of capacity. '힘에 부치다' emphasizes the struggle, while '역부족이다' emphasizes the result of the gap.

일이 너무 많아서 힘에 부친다.

I am overwhelmed by the amount of work (focus on the feeling of struggle).

Lastly, remember that '역부족' is a noun that acts as an adjective with '이다'. Beginners often forget the '이다' part in speech. Always ensure you conjugate it: '역부족이에요', '역부족입니다', or '역부족이야'.

To expand your Korean vocabulary, it is helpful to compare 역부족이다 with other terms that describe limitation or difficulty. Each has its own specific 'flavor' and register.

부족하다 (To be lacking/insufficient)
The most general term. Used for money, time, water, or skills. Unlike '역부족', it doesn't necessarily imply a specific task or 'power'.
Example: 시간이 부족해요. (I'm short on time.)
힘에 부치다 (To be beyond one's strength)
More idiomatic and focuses on the physical or emotional strain. It suggests you are trying your hardest but are reaching your limit.
Example: 이 일은 저에게 너무 힘에 부칩니다. (This work is too much for me to handle.)
능력 밖이다 (To be outside one's ability)
A direct way to say something is not within your skillset. It sounds very clear and professional.
Example: 그 문제는 제 능력 밖입니다. (That problem is beyond my ability.)
한계에 부딪히다 (To hit a limit)
Used when you were doing well but have reached a point where you cannot go further.
Example: 우리는 곧 한계에 부딪혔다. (We soon hit our limit.)

역부족이다 vs 불가능하다

'역부족이다' implies you have *some* power but not enough. '불가능하다' implies it simply cannot be done regardless of power.

In formal writing, you might also see 미흡하다 (to be insufficient/unsatisfactory). This is often used in evaluations of reports or performance. While '역부족' sounds like a structural limitation, '미흡하다' sounds like the quality of the work wasn't good enough.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jʌk.pu.dʑok.i.da/
US /jʌk.pu.dʒok.i.dɑ/
Stress is relatively even across the syllables, but a slight emphasis on 'YEOK' and 'JOK' is common in emphatic speech.
Rhymes With
만족이다 (man-jok-i-da) - to be satisfied 부족이다 (bu-jok-i-da) - to be lacking 가족이다 (ga-jok-i-da) - to be family 공격이다 (gong-gyeok-i-da) - to be an attack 충격이다 (chung-gyeok-i-da) - to be a shock 성적이다 (seong-jeok-i-da) - to be sexual/related to grades 기적이다 (gi-jeok-i-da) - to be a miracle 공적이다 (gong-jeok-i-da) - to be public
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing '역' as 'yuck' (English) - keep the 'eo' sound more like the 'u' in 'sun' but further back.
  • Softening the 'k' at the end of '역' and '족' - they should be unreleased stops.
  • Pronouncing '부' as 'poo' with too much air - it should be a light 'p/b' sound.
  • Mixing up '역부족' with '약부족' (which is not a word).
  • Forgetting the 'i-da' conjugation in sentences.
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Examples by Level

1

도움이 없으면 역부족이에요.

Without help, it's beyond my power.

역부족 + 이에요 (polite ending)

2

혼자는 역부족이야.

Alone is not enough.

Informal ending '이야'

3

이것은 역부족입니다.

This is insufficient.

Formal ending '입니다'

4

시간이 역부족이에요.

Time is insufficient.

Subject '시간' (time)

5

돈이 역부족이에요.

Money is insufficient (for this task).

Subject '돈' (money)

6

제 힘으로는 역부족이에요.

With my strength, it's not enough.

Phrase '제 힘으로는' (with my strength)

7

우리는 역부족입니다.

We are insufficient (for this).

Pronoun '우리' (we)

8

정말 역부족이에요.

It's really beyond my power.

Adverb '정말' (really)

1

혼자 공부하기에는 역부족이에요.

It's beyond my power to study alone.

Verb + 기에는 (for doing something)

2

이 가방을 들기에는 역부족입니다.

It is beyond my power to lift this bag.

들기 (lifting) + 에는

3

실력이 아직 역부족이에요.

My skills are still insufficient.

Adverb '아직' (still)

4

그를 이기기에는 역부족이었어요.

It was beyond my power to beat him.

Past tense '역부족이었어요'

5

이 계획은 역부족인 것 같아요.

I think this plan is insufficient.

~ㄴ 것 같다 (seems like)

6

말만으로는 역부족이에요.

Words alone are not enough.

Noun + 만으로는 (with only...)

7

경험이 없어서 역부족이에요.

Because I lack experience, it's beyond my power.

~어서 (reason/cause)

8

이 돈으로는 역부족일 거예요.

It will probably be insufficient with this money.

Future/supposition '~ㄹ 거예요'

1

열정만으로는 성공하기에 역부족이다.

Passion alone is insufficient for success.

Focus on the '만으로는' particle.

2

현재의 인원으로는 이 일을 다 하기 역부족입니다.

With current staff, it's beyond our power to do all this work.

Topic marker '인원으로는' (as for the staff).

3

상대 팀이 너무 강해서 우리 팀은 역부족이었다.

The opponent was so strong that our team was outmatched.

Past tense '역부족이었다'.

4

그 문제를 해결하기에는 내 지식이 역부족이었다.

My knowledge was insufficient to solve that problem.

Possessive '내 지식이' (my knowledge).

5

아무리 노력해도 혼자서는 역부족임을 깨달았다.

I realized that no matter how hard I tried, I was insufficient alone.

Noun clause '역부족임을' (that it is insufficient).

6

이 예산으로는 행사를 준비하기에 역부족일 것 같습니다.

It seems the budget will be insufficient to prepare the event.

Polite supposition '~ㄹ 것 같습니다'.

7

사과만으로는 친구의 마음을 돌리기에 역부족이었다.

An apology alone was insufficient to change my friend's mind.

Metaphorical use of 'power' (influence).

8

이론적인 지식만으로는 실전에서 역부족일 수 있다.

Theoretical knowledge alone can be insufficient in practice.

Possibility '~ㄹ 수 있다'.

1

정부의 대책만으로는 물가 상승을 막기에 역부족이다.

Government measures alone are insufficient to stop inflation.

Professional/News register.

2

그의 재능은 인정하지만, 이번 대회에서는 역부족이었다.

I recognize his talent, but he was outmatched in this competition.

Concessive '인정하지만' (while I admit...).

3

신생 기업이 대기업과 경쟁하기에는 아직 역부족입니다.

It is still beyond a startup's power to compete with conglomerates.

Specific context of business competition.

4

기존의 방법으로는 새로운 문제를 해결하기에 역부족이다.

Existing methods are insufficient to solve new problems.

Adjective '기존의' (existing).

5

우리나라의 국방력만으로는 침략을 막기에 역부족이었다.

Our country's defense power alone was insufficient to stop the invasion.

Historical/Military context.

6

단순한 암기만으로는 이 시험을 통과하기에 역부족이다.

Simple memorization alone is insufficient to pass this exam.

Emphasis on '단순한' (simple).

7

그는 자신의 역부족을 실감하고 더 열심히 공부하기로 했다.

He keenly felt his lack of power and decided to study harder.

Noun form '역부족' as an object.

8

환경 보호를 위한 개인의 노력은 때로 역부족으로 느껴진다.

Individual efforts for environmental protection sometimes feel insufficient.

Passive/Feeling '역부족으로 느껴진다'.

1

현재의 기술력으로는 인류가 화성에 거주하기에 역부족이다.

With current technology, it is beyond humanity's power to reside on Mars.

Scientific/Academic tone.

2

그의 카리스마도 분열된 당을 통합하기에는 역부족이었다.

Even his charisma was insufficient to unify the divided party.

Particle '도' (even) used for emphasis.

3

법적인 제재만으로는 사이버 범죄를 근절하기에 역부족이다.

Legal sanctions alone are insufficient to eradicate cybercrime.

Verb '근절하다' (to eradicate).

4

그 선수는 부상 이후 예전의 기량을 회복하기에는 역부족임을 보여주었다.

The player showed that it was beyond his power to recover his former skill after the injury.

Complex noun clause structure.

5

단기적인 처방은 근본적인 문제를 해결하기에 역부족일 수밖에 없다.

Short-term prescriptions cannot help but be insufficient to solve fundamental problems.

'~ㄹ 수밖에 없다' (cannot help but...).

6

지방 정부의 재정만으로는 대규모 복지 사업을 감당하기에 역부족이다.

Local government finances alone are insufficient to handle large-scale welfare projects.

Verb '감당하다' (to handle/cope with).

7

아무리 뛰어난 천재라도 시대의 흐름을 거스르기에는 역부족이다.

No matter how great a genius, it is beyond their power to go against the flow of the times.

'아무리 ~라도' (no matter how...).

8

그의 해명은 대중의 분노를 가라앉히기에 역부족이었다.

His explanation was insufficient to calm the public's anger.

Metaphorical application to social sentiment.

1

인간의 이성만으로 우주의 신비를 규명하기에는 역부족일지도 모른다.

It might be beyond human reason alone to clarify the mysteries of the universe.

Philosophical speculation '~ㄹ지도 모른다'.

2

개혁의 의지는 높았으나, 정치적 기반의 부재로 인해 역부족에 부딪혔다.

The will for reform was high, but due to the absence of a political base, it hit a wall of insufficiency.

Literary/Historical analysis.

3

전 지구적인 기후 위기 앞에서 국가 단위의 대응은 역부족일 수밖에 없다.

In the face of a global climate crisis, responses at the national level are bound to be insufficient.

High-level societal critique.

4

예술적 영감만으로는 위대한 걸작을 탄생시키기에 역부족이며, 처절한 노동이 수반되어야 한다.

Artistic inspiration alone is insufficient to give birth to a great masterpiece; desperate labor must accompany it.

Parallel structure with '수반되어야 한다'.

5

그의 논리는 정연했으나, 반대파의 거센 공세를 막아내기에는 역부족이었다.

His logic was orderly, but it was beyond his power to block the fierce offensive of the opposition.

Adjective '정연하다' (orderly/logical).

6

자본의 논리가 지배하는 시장에서 순수한 열정은 종종 역부족의 한계에 직면한다.

In a market dominated by the logic of capital, pure passion often faces the limits of insufficiency.

Abstract noun usage.

7

현행 법령으로는 급변하는 디지털 환경을 규제하기에 역부족이라는 비판이 거세다.

Criticism is fierce that current laws are insufficient to regulate the rapidly changing digital environment.

Reported speech/Opinion '~라는 비판이 거세다'.

8

인간의 언어는 때로 깊은 슬픔을 표현하기에 역부족임을 느낀다.

I feel that human language is sometimes insufficient to express deep sorrow.

Poetic/Reflective tone.

Common Collocations

실력이 역부족이다
예산이 역부족이다
혼자서는 역부족이다
경험이 역부족이다
인력이 역부족이다
시간이 역부족이다
기술력이 역부족이다
의지만으로는 역부족이다
체력이 역부족이다
재능이 역부족이다

Common Phrases

역부족을 느끼다

— To feel that one is insufficient for a task.

그는 높은 벽 앞에서 역부족을 느꼈다.

역부족을 절감하다

— To keenly or deeply realize one's lack of power.

실패를 통해 자신의 역부족을 절감했다.

역부족임이 드러나다

— To be revealed as insufficient.

경기가 시작되자 실력의 역부족임이 드러났다.

역부족인 상황

— A situation that is beyond one's power.

지금은 역부족인 상황이니 도움을 청하자.

역부족이라 판단하다

— To judge that something is beyond one's power.

감독은 승리하기에 역부족이라 판단했다.

역부족에도 불구하고

— Despite being insufficient.

역부족에도 불구하고 끝까지 포기하지 않았다.

전력상 역부족

— Outmatched in terms of total power/strength.

우리 팀은 전력상 역부족이었다.

역부족을 인정하다

— To admit one's lack of power.

그는 솔직하게 자신의 역부족을 인정했다.

역부족을 극복하다

— To overcome one's insufficiency (usually by growing or getting help).

협력을 통해 역부족을 극복했다.

역부족인 줄 알면서도

— Even while knowing it's beyond one's power.

역부족인 줄 알면서도 도전했다.

Idioms & Expressions

"계란으로 바위 치기"

— Hitting a rock with an egg; a metaphor for '역부족' where effort is futile.

그 대기업과 싸우는 건 계란으로 바위 치기야.

Informal/Idiomatic
"중과부적 (衆寡不敵)"

— Being outnumbered; a specific type of '역부족' in battle or numbers.

적군이 너무 많아 중과부적이었다.

Formal/Hanja
"하늘의 별 따기"

— Picking a star from the sky; something so '역부족' it is nearly impossible.

그 직장에 들어가는 건 하늘의 별 따기다.

Informal/Common
"밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기"

— Pouring water into a bottomless pot; when resources are always '역부족'.

이 사업은 밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기 같다.

Informal/Common
"손바닥으로 하늘 가리기"

— Trying to cover the sky with a palm; insufficient effort to hide a big truth.

거짓말은 손바닥으로 하늘 가리기다.

Informal/Common
"새 발의 피"

— Blood from a bird's foot; something so small it is '역부족' compared to the whole.

이 돈은 필요한 금액에 비하면 새 발의 피다.

Informal/Common
"다윗과 골리앗"

— David and Goliath; used to describe a classic '역부족' match-up.

이번 경기는 다윗과 골리앗의 싸움이다.

Universal/Common
"역부족의 늪"

— The swamp of insufficiency; being stuck because of lack of power.

그는 역부족의 늪에서 빠져나오지 못했다.

Literary
"힘이 닿지 않다"

— One's strength does not reach; a more native Korean way to say '역부족'.

제 힘이 닿지 않는 일입니다.

Neutral
"버겁다"

— To be too much to handle; a feeling-focused idiom for '역부족'.

이 책임이 저에게는 너무 버겁습니다.

Neutral

Word Family

Nouns

역부족 (insufficiency of power)
부족 (lack/shortage)
능력 (ability)
기량 (skill/talent)

Verbs

부족하다 (to be lacking)
모자라다 (to be insufficient)
감당하다 (to handle/cope)

Adjectives

역부족이다 (to be beyond one's power)
미흡하다 (to be inadequate)
충분하다 (to be sufficient)

Related

무능력 (inability)
한계 (limit)
불가능 (impossibility)
실력 (skill)
전력 (tota
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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

不足な Japanese
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