Explanation at your level:
You use this when you are very tired. You do not want to do anything. You feel like a tired battery. You can say: 'I am 무기력해요 today.'
This word means you have no energy. You feel sad or tired. You might feel this way after work or school. It is a common feeling when you are very busy.
무기력하다 describes a lack of motivation. It is more than just being tired; it is feeling 'drained'. People often use it when they have worked too hard for a long time.
This adjective captures the state of apathy. It is frequently used in discussions about mental health or workplace burnout. It implies a loss of the 'spark' or 'drive' needed to perform daily tasks.
In advanced contexts, it describes a systemic loss of vitality. It can refer to individuals or even groups, such as a 'lethargic society' or a 'lethargic organization' that has lost its innovative edge.
The term carries nuances of existential fatigue. It is often used in literature to describe characters who are paralyzed by the weight of their circumstances, reflecting a profound disconnection from their own agency and purpose.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means lethargic
- Hanja-based
- Used for burnout
- Very common
When you say someone is 무기력하다, you are describing a feeling of total exhaustion. Think of it as your internal battery hitting zero percent.
It is not just about being sleepy; it is about a lack of drive. You might have the physical ability to move, but you feel like you have no motivation to start a task.
This word is very common in Korean culture to describe the 'burnout' feeling. It is a helpful word to express that you are not just lazy, but genuinely drained by life's pressures.
The word 무기력하다 is built from Hanja (Chinese characters). 무 (無) means 'none' or 'without', and 기력 (氣力) means 'energy' or 'vitality'.
Essentially, the word literally translates to 'without energy force'. This structure is very common in Korean, where prefixes like 무- are used to negate the noun that follows.
Historically, this term was used in medical or formal contexts to describe physical weakness. Over time, it evolved to include the psychological state of 'apathy' or 'listlessness' that we use today in daily conversation.
You use 무기력하다 when talking about yourself or others in a state of burnout. It is often paired with words like 'daily life' or 'work'.
Common collocations include 무기력에 빠지다 (to fall into lethargy) or 무기력한 모습 (lethargic appearance). It is used in both casual and formal settings.
If you are talking to a friend, you might say 'I feel so 무기력해 today.' In a professional context, you might describe a team as 'suffering from 무기력함' due to repetitive tasks.
1. 무기력의 늪에 빠지다: To fall into a swamp of lethargy (stuck in a rut). 2. 만사가 귀찮다: Everything is annoying (often accompanies lethargy). 3. 의욕이 없다: Having no desire/motivation. 4. 번아웃 증후군: Burnout syndrome. 5. 기운이 하나도 없다: Having absolutely no energy.
As an adjective, it conjugates as 무기력한 (attributive) or 무기력합니다 (formal). It functions as a descriptive predicate.
Pronunciation: [무기려카다]. Note the h sound merges with the k sound due to Korean phonological rules (aspiration). Stress is generally even, but the emphasis falls on the ryeok syllable.
It rhymes loosely with other -하다 adjectives, though it is a long word. Practice saying it slowly: mu-gi-ryeok-ha-da.
Fun Fact
It is a standard term in modern psychology for 'learned helplessness'.
Pronunciation Guide
Korean phonetics apply.
Korean phonetics apply.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'ryeok'
- Dropping the 'h' sound
- Incorrect vowel length
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize
Requires context
Common
Clear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective conjugation
무기력하다 -> 무기력해요
Examples by Level
오늘 너무 무기력해요.
Today very lethargic am.
Basic adjective usage.
시험이 끝나고 무기력해졌어요.
그는 하루 종일 무기력하게 누워 있었다.
무기력한 기분이 들 때가 있다.
너무 많이 일해서 무기력하다.
운동을 안 하니 무기력하다.
비가 오면 무기력해진다.
무기력함에서 벗어나고 싶다.
그녀는 무기력한 표정이었다.
오랜 야근으로 무기력함을 느낀다.
무기력증을 극복하는 방법은 무엇일까?
그는 무기력한 일상에서 탈출하고 싶어 한다.
계속되는 실패에 무기력해졌다.
무기력함은 마음의 감기와 같다.
아무것도 하기 싫은 무기력한 상태다.
그의 태도는 매우 무기력해 보였다.
충분한 휴식은 무기력을 예방한다.
현대인들은 종종 무기력함에 시달린다.
그의 무기력한 모습이 걱정스럽다.
무기력에서 벗어나기 위해 산책을 했다.
반복되는 업무가 나를 무기력하게 만든다.
무기력한 상태를 방치하면 위험하다.
그는 무기력함을 이겨내고 다시 시작했다.
사회 전반에 무기력한 분위기가 감돈다.
무기력증은 치료가 필요한 상태일 수 있다.
그는 깊은 무기력의 늪에 빠져 있었다.
무기력함은 단순한 게으름과는 다르다.
조직의 무기력한 태도가 성장을 저해한다.
무기력한 일상에 작은 변화를 주었다.
그녀의 글에는 무기력한 정서가 배어 있다.
무기력함을 극복하는 것은 의지의 문제다.
환절기만 되면 무기력해지는 경향이 있다.
무기력한 삶을 거부하고 도전을 선택했다.
그의 무기력한 눈빛에는 체념이 담겨 있었다.
무기력은 현대 사회의 고질적인 병폐다.
철학적으로 무기력은 실존적 고뇌의 산물이다.
그는 무기력한 권태를 견디지 못했다.
무기력한 체제에 대항하는 새로운 움직임.
문학 작품 속 주인공의 무기력한 내면 묘사.
무기력함은 때로 자기 성찰의 계기가 된다.
극심한 무기력은 때로 우울증의 징후일 수 있다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"번아웃이 오다"
to experience burnout
너무 일만 했더니 번아웃이 왔다.
casual""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
Similar sounds
무력 means powerless/weak, 무기력 means lethargic.
무력한 군대 vs 무기력한 나.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + (이/가) + 무기력하다
나는 무기력하다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Lazy is choice, lethargic is a state.
Tips
Hanja Breakout
Remember Mu=No, Gi=Energy.
Daily check-in
Ask yourself: 'Am I 무기력해?'
Burnout culture
It is a very common topic in Korea.
Adjective usage
It describes a state.
Aspiration
The 'h' sound is soft.
Don't confuse
Not the same as powerless.
Hanja power
Most Korean words have these roots.
Flashcards
Use with antonyms.
Conjugation
It follows regular adjective rules.
Context
Use when you feel drained.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Mu (no) + Gi (energy) + Ryeok (force).
Visual Association
A battery symbol with a red line.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe your energy level using this word.
Word Origin
Korean (Hanja)
Original meaning: Without energy force
Cultural Context
None, but be careful when describing others as it can sound critical.
Similar to 'lethargic' or 'burned out'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Workplace
- 업무가 무기력하다
- 무기력한 팀원
Home
- 집에 오면 무기력해
Conversation Starters
"요즘 무기력하지 않아요?"
"무기력할 때 어떻게 해요?"
"무기력함을 느낀 적 있나요?"
Journal Prompts
What makes you feel 무기력하다?
How do you overcome 무기력함?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, lazy implies a choice; lethargic implies a lack of energy.
Test Yourself
오늘 너무 ____.
Matches the context of feeling tired.
Which means 'no energy'?
Correct definition.
무기력하다 is a positive word.
It describes a negative state.
Word
Meaning
Noun/adjective match.
Subject-Time-Adjective order.
Score: /5
Summary
무기력하다 describes the feeling of having no energy or motivation to act.
- Means lethargic
- Hanja-based
- Used for burnout
- Very common
Hanja Breakout
Remember Mu=No, Gi=Energy.
Daily check-in
Ask yourself: 'Am I 무기력해?'
Burnout culture
It is a very common topic in Korea.
Adjective usage
It describes a state.
Example
피곤하면 아무것도 하기 싫고 무기력해져요.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
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).
