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무리하다

A2 verb 10 min read

무리하다

murihada

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 무리하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 무리하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn '무리하다' as a simple way to express concern. Think of it as 'too much' or 'don't do too much'. You will most often hear it in the phrase '무리하지 마세요' (Don't overdo it). This is used when a friend is studying very late or working hard. It's a kind thing to say. At this stage, don't worry about the complex Hanja origins. Just remember that 'Muri' means 'too much' and 'hada' means 'to do'. You can use it to say 'This is too hard for me' by saying '저에게는 무리예요'. It helps you set boundaries in a simple way. You might use it when someone asks you to do something you haven't learned yet in Korean class! It's a very useful survival word to prevent people from expecting too much from you while you are still learning the basics.

At the A2 level, you begin to see how '무리하다' functions as both a descriptive verb (adjective) and an active verb. You can now use it to describe past actions, like '어제 무리했어요' (I overdid it yesterday). You also learn the adverbial form '무리하게', which allows you to describe how someone is doing something, such as '무리하게 일하지 마세요' (Don't work excessively). You should start noticing this word in dramas and conversations about health. It's common to use it when talking about why you are tired or why you have a cold. At this level, you can also use it to describe a plan that is 'too much', like '무리한 계획' (an unreasonable plan). It's a key word for discussing daily schedules and physical conditions.

By B1, you should understand the nuance between '무리하다' and similar words like '열심히 하다' (to work hard) or '피곤하다' (to be tired). You can use '무리하다' to explain cause-and-effect relationships: '무리해서 병이 났어요' (I overdid it and got sick). You also start to use it in more social contexts, such as acknowledging someone else's effort. For example, if someone does a big favor for you, you can say '무리하신 거 아니에요?' (Wasn't that too much for you?). This shows a higher level of social awareness. You can also use it in financial contexts, like '무리하게 돈을 쓰다' (to spend money excessively). Your ability to use the '-ㄴ/은 것 같다' ending with '무리' (e.g., 무리인 것 같아요) shows you can express opinions politely and indirectly.

At the B2 level, you can use '무리하다' in professional and formal settings. You understand that saying '그건 무리입니다' is a professional way to reject a request that is unfeasible. You also understand the Hanja roots (無 - none, 理 - reason), which helps you see how the word relates to 'unreasonableness'. You can discuss social issues using this word, such as the '무리한 경쟁' (excessive competition) in the Korean education system. You are comfortable using it in various grammatical structures, including conditional and causative forms. You can also distinguish it from '과로하다' (to overwork) which is more formal, and '무모하다' (to be reckless), which focuses on the lack of a plan. Your usage becomes more precise and context-appropriate.

At the C1 level, you can use '무리하다' to analyze complex situations. You might use it in an academic essay to describe '무리한 요구' (unreasonable demands) in a treaty or '무리한 확장' (excessive expansion) of a corporation. You understand the philosophical implication of 'acting against reason'. You can use the word sarcastically or rhetorically in high-level discussions. You also recognize it in literature where it might describe a character's internal struggle with their own limits. You are aware of the subtle social pressure in Korea to '무리' and can discuss the psychological impacts of this cultural phenomenon. Your vocabulary includes related idioms and four-character compounds that share the same Hanja, allowing for deep linguistic connections.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '무리하다'. You can use it to critique economic policies, legal arguments, or scientific theories that you find 'logically unsound' (논리적으로 무리한). You understand the finest nuances of register—when to use '무리' versus '과유불급' (too much is as bad as too little). You can navigate the most delicate social situations where '무리' might be used to save face or to subtly point out someone's mistake without being direct. You can appreciate the word's use in high-level journalism and legal documents where '무리한 수사' (unreasonable investigation) or '무리한 법 적용' (unreasonable application of the law) are discussed. Your mastery allows you to use the word with perfect timing and cultural resonance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

무리하다 in 30 Seconds

Core Meaning: To overdo, overstrain, or act unreasonably.
Common Usage: Warning someone not to work or exercise too hard.
Hanja Origin: 無 (No) + 理 (Reason) = Lacking logic or principle.
Key Phrase: '무리하지 마세요' (Please don't overdo it).

The Korean word 무리하다 (murihada) is a multifaceted term that English speakers often encounter early in their studies, yet its depth requires careful attention. At its core, the word is composed of the Hanja 無 (mu), meaning 'none' or 'without', and 理 (ri), meaning 'reason' or 'principle'. Therefore, etymologically, 무리하다 describes an action or state that is 'without reason' or 'beyond principle'. In practical, everyday Korean, this translates most commonly to 'to overdo it', 'to overstrain oneself', or 'to attempt something that is beyond one's current capacity'. It is a word deeply embedded in the Korean social fabric, particularly within the context of 'K-work culture' and the high-pressure academic environment.

Physical Overexertion: This is the most frequent usage. When someone stays up all night studying, works through a fever, or exercises until they collapse, they are said to be '무리하고 있다'. It describes pushing the body past its healthy limits.

어제 너무 무리해서 오늘 몸살이 났어요. (I overdid it yesterday, so I have body aches today.)

Logical Unreasonableness: Beyond physical health, it applies to plans or requests. If a boss asks an employee to finish a month-long project in two days, that request is '무리하다'. It implies that the demand is irrational or impossible to fulfill under the given circumstances.

In a financial context, 무리하다 is used when someone buys something they cannot afford. For example, '무리하게 대출을 받다' means to take out an excessive loan that will be difficult to pay back. This usage highlights the 'lack of reason' aspect—taking a risk that outweighs the potential benefit. Culturally, Koreans use this word as a form of social lubricant to express empathy. If a friend looks tired, saying '무리한 거 아니에요?' (Aren't you overworking yourself?) shows that you recognize their hard work and care about their health. It is less about criticism and more about acknowledging the strain of modern life. Understanding this word helps you navigate the delicate balance between hard work (yeolsimhi) and unhealthy overextension (murihada) in Korean society.

그 계획은 현실적으로 너무 무리한 것 같아요. (That plan seems realistically too unreasonable.)

Social Context: In social settings, if you try to drink too much alcohol to keep up with others, people might tell you not to '무리'. It serves as a boundary marker for what is considered safe and sustainable behavior in a group dynamic.

건강을 위해서 절대 무리하지 마세요. (For your health, please absolutely do not overdo it.)

그는 무리하게 차를 샀어요. (He overextended himself to buy a car.)

내일까지 끝내는 건 무리예요. (Finishing it by tomorrow is impossible/too much.)

Using 무리하다 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. It can function as an adjective (describing a state) or be used in an adverbial form to describe how an action is performed. Because it deals with limits and health, it is frequently paired with negative imperatives or warnings. Let's break down the primary ways to incorporate this word into your Korean speech and writing to ensure you sound natural and nuanced.

As a Descriptive Verb (Adjective): When you want to say a task or a situation 'is too much' or 'is unreasonable', you use the standard conjugations. For example, '무리예요' (It's too much) or '무리였다' (It was too much). This describes the nature of the situation itself.

이 일정은 저에게 너무 무리예요. (This schedule is too much for me.)

The Adverbial Form: 무리하게: To describe 'how' someone is doing something (overdoing it, overextending), add '-게' to the stem. This is used with active verbs like '일하다' (to work), '운동하다' (to exercise), or '다이어트하다' (to diet).

무리하게 일하지 마세요. (Don't work excessively hard/beyond your limits.)

In more formal or written contexts, you might see 무리한 (the noun-modifying form). This is used to describe nouns like '요구' (demand), '계획' (plan), or '투자' (investment). For instance, '무리한 요구' means an unreasonable demand. This is particularly useful in business negotiations or when discussing social issues. In everyday conversation, the most common form you will use is the polite suggestion '무리하지 마세요'. It's a standard polite closing when someone tells you they have been busy or tired. It shows that you value their health over their productivity, which is a significant social gesture in Korea.

그는 무리한 다이어트로 건강을 해쳤어요. (He ruined his health with an excessive diet.)

Conditional Usage: Using '-면' (if), you can warn about the consequences of overdoing it. '무리하면 병나요' (If you overdo it, you'll get sick) is a very common maternal warning in Korea.

지금 무리하면 나중에 더 힘들 거예요. (If you overdo it now, it will be harder later.)

그 부탁은 좀 무리인 것 같아요. (I think that favor is a bit too much/unreasonable.)

If you watch Korean dramas (K-Dramas) or variety shows, 무리하다 is everywhere. It is a staple of the 'workaholic protagonist' trope. You will often see a character fainting from exhaustion (gwarosa) after '무리해서 일하다' (working excessively). The doctor at the hospital will inevitably tell the family, '환자분이 최근에 너무 무리하신 것 같습니다' (It seems the patient has been overexerting themselves lately). This highlights how the word is used to bridge the gap between hard work and medical consequences.

In the Office: In a professional setting, a manager might use it to decline a project or to caution a subordinate. However, it's also used defensively by employees. When a task is impossible, saying '그건 좀 무리입니다' is a polite but firm way to say 'That's not feasible'.

부장님, 이번 프로젝트 마감일은 좀 무리인 것 같습니다. (Manager, I think the deadline for this project is a bit unreasonable.)

In Sports and Fitness: Gym culture in Korea uses this word constantly. Trainers will warn clients not to '무리하게 무게를 올리다' (excessively increase the weight). It's about safety and preventing injury.

On variety shows like 'Running Man' or 'I Live Alone', you'll hear cast members teasing each other. If someone tries to do an impressive physical feat and fails, others might say, '왜 그렇게 무리해?' (Why are you overdoing it like that?). It's used to mock someone's over-ambition in a lighthearted way. Additionally, in news reports regarding the economy, you'll hear about '무리한 투자' (reckless investment) leading to financial ruin. This shows the word's transition from personal health to systemic risk. Whether it's a mother worrying about her son's late-night studying or a financial analyst warning about market bubbles, 무리하다 is the go-to word for anything that crosses the line of common sense and sustainability.

오늘 운동 너무 무리하지 마세요, 다칠 수 있어요. (Don't overdo your workout today; you might get hurt.)

In Social Relationships: If a friend offers to drive you home even though they live in the opposite direction, you might say '너무 무리하시는 거 아니에요?' to politely decline or acknowledge their great effort.

그는 무리하게 빚을 내서 사업을 시작했어요. (He started a business by taking out an excessive amount of debt.)

시험 기간이라고 너무 무리하지 말고 잠도 좀 자요. (Don't overdo it just because it's exam period; get some sleep too.)

Learners often struggle with 무리하다 because it overlaps with several other English concepts like 'working hard', 'being tired', or 'impossible'. One of the most common mistakes is using 무리하다 when you simply mean 'to work hard'. In English, 'overworking' can sometimes be a compliment, but in Korean, 무리하다 almost always has a negative connotation of being unsustainable or unhealthy. If you want to praise someone's hard work, use '열심히 하다' (to do hard/diligently) instead.

Confusing with 'Hard Work': Saying '저는 무리하게 공부해요' sounds like you are studying in a way that is destroying your health, which might be true, but if you just mean 'I study hard', you should say '저는 열심히 공부해요'.

Incorrect: 무리하게 노력해서 성공했어요. (I succeeded by overdoing it - sounds negative). Correct: 열심히 노력해서 성공했어요.

Confusing with 'Impossible' (Bulganeung): While '무리예요' can mean something is impossible, it specifically means it's 'too much for the current capacity'. '불가능해요' (bulganeunghaeyo) means it is strictly impossible by laws of nature or logic. Use '무리' when there's a human element of strain involved.

Another mistake is the grammar of '무리하다' vs '무리하게'. Remember that '무리하다' can be an adjective. You don't always need to add '하다' to the end if you are describing a noun. '무리한 계획' is correct, whereas '무리하게 계획' is incomplete unless followed by a verb. Lastly, avoid using it for small, trivial things. It usually refers to something that has a significant impact on one's well-being or the success of a major task. Using it because you ate one extra cookie is an exaggeration that doesn't fit the typical usage of the word.

Incorrect: 무리하게 밥을 먹었어요. (I ate excessively - sounds weird). Better: 과식했어요 (I overate).

Register and Formality: Be careful when telling a superior '무리하지 마세요'. While it's kind, in very strict hierarchical settings, it might sound like you are telling them how to manage their time. Use '건강 챙기세요' (Take care of your health) as a safer alternative.

그는 무리한 부탁을 자주 해요. (He often makes unreasonable requests.)

몸이 안 좋을 때는 무리하지 않는 것이 좋아요. (When you're not feeling well, it's good not to overdo it.)

To truly master 무리하다, you must know how it compares to its synonyms. Korean has a rich vocabulary for expressing 'excess' and 'hard work', each with its own subtle nuance. Understanding these will prevent you from sounding repetitive and allow you to be more precise in your descriptions of effort and strain.

과로하다 (Gwarohada): This specifically means 'to overwork'. While 무리하다 can be about exercise, money, or logic, 과로하다 is strictly about labor and the resulting exhaustion. It is a more medical/formal term.

과로로 쓰러졌어요. (He collapsed from overwork.)

강행하다 (Ganghaenghada): This means 'to force through' or 'to push ahead' despite opposition or difficult conditions. It's more active and often used in political or business contexts. If a company launches a product despite bugs, they '강행' the launch.

그들은 계획을 강행하기로 했습니다. (They decided to push ahead with the plan.)

Other words include 무모하다 (mumo-hada), which means 'reckless' or 'foolhardy'. While 무리하다 means doing too much, 무모하다 means doing something without any thought for the consequences or without a plan. It's more about the lack of strategy than the physical strain. Then there is 지나치다 (jinachida), which means 'to be excessive' in a general sense—too much salt, too much talking, too much of anything. 무리하다 is a subset of being excessive that specifically involves strain or unreasonableness. Choosing between these depends on whether you want to focus on the work (과로), the recklessness (무모), the action (강행), or the general excess (지나치다).

힘에 겹다 (Hime gyeopda): This is a more poetic/expressive way to say a task is beyond one's strength. It literally means 'to be more than one's strength can handle'.

이 일은 저에게 조금 힘에 겹네요. (This work is a bit beyond my strength/overwhelming.)

그의 행동은 정말 무모했어요. (His behavior was truly reckless.)

농담이 너무 지나치네요. (The joke is going too far/is too excessive.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word originally described something that was logically impossible or ethically wrong, but in modern Korean, its most common usage has shifted towards physical health and work-life balance.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mu.ɾi.ɦa.da/

US /mu.ɾi.ɦɑ.dɑ/

In Korean, stress is generally even across syllables, but a slight emphasis may fall on the first syllable 'mu'.

Rhymes With

요리하다 (yorihada) 수리하다 (surihada) 처리하다 (cheorihada) 정리하다 (jeongrihada) 관리하다 (gwanrihada) 격리하다 (gyeongrihada) 승리하다 (seungrihada) 분리하다 (bunrihada)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ri' as a hard English 'R'. It should be a light tap.
Aspirating the 'm' too much.
Pronouncing 'ha' as 'he' or 'ho'.
Making the 'u' sound like 'uh'. It should be 'oo'.
Pronouncing 'da' as 'ta' too sharply.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text as it appears frequently in dialogues.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding of the difference between adjective and adverb forms.

Speaking 2/5

The phrase '무리하지 마세요' is very easy to memorize and use.

Listening 2/5

Distinct pronunciation makes it easy to catch in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

하다 너무 일하다 운동하다 건강

Learn Next

과로하다 지나치다 합리적 가능하다 불가능하다

Advanced

부조리 개연성 과유불급 강행하다 무모하다

Grammar to Know

Adverbial form '-게'

무리하게 (excessively)

Noun modifying form '-ㄴ/은'

무리한 (unreasonable)

Negative imperative '-지 마세요'

무리하지 마세요 (Don't overdo it)

Cause and effect '-어서'

무리해서 아파요 (I'm sick because I overdid it)

Supposition '-ㄴ 것 같다'

무리인 것 같아요 (It seems to be too much)

Examples by Level

무리하지 마세요.

Don't overdo it.

Negative imperative form '-지 마세요'.

이 일은 저에게 무리예요.

This work is too much for me.

Descriptive verb '무리이다' in polite present tense.

어제 너무 무리했어요.

I overdid it yesterday.

Past tense '했어요'.

무리하면 안 돼요.

You shouldn't overdo it.

'-하면 안 돼요' (should not) structure.

공부 너무 무리하지 마.

Don't overdo your studies.

Informal negative imperative '-지 마'.

이거 무리 아니에요?

Isn't this too much?

Negative question form '아니에요?'.

무리해서 피곤해요.

I'm tired because I overdid it.

'-어서' indicating cause and effect.

건강을 위해 무리하지 마세요.

Don't overdo it for the sake of your health.

'-을 위해' (for the sake of).

무리하게 운동하면 다쳐요.

If you exercise excessively, you'll get hurt.

Adverbial form '무리하게'.

그는 무리한 계획을 세웠어요.

He made an unreasonable plan.

Noun-modifying form '무리한'.

무리해서 일하면 병이 나요.

If you work too hard, you'll get sick.

Conditional usage of '-어서' with a result.

무리하지 말고 좀 쉬세요.

Don't overdo it and get some rest.

'-지 말고' (don't do X, but do Y).

그 부탁은 조금 무리인 것 같아요.

I think that favor is a bit too much.

'-ㄴ 것 같다' (it seems like/I think).

무리하게 다이어트를 하지 마세요.

Don't go on an excessive diet.

Adverbial '무리하게' modifying a verb.

어제 무리해서 오늘 늦게 일어났어요.

I overdid it yesterday, so I woke up late today.

Cause-effect with '-어서'.

무리한 요구는 거절하세요.

Please refuse unreasonable demands.

Imperative form '-세요'.

무리하게 대출을 받으면 위험해요.

It's dangerous to take out an excessive loan.

Financial context usage.

그는 무리해서라도 성공하고 싶어 해요.

He wants to succeed even if he has to overdo it.

'-어서라도' (even if/by doing).

부장님께 그런 부탁을 하는 건 무리예요.

It's too much to ask the department manager for such a favor.

'-는 건' nominalizing the phrase.

갑자기 무리하게 뛰면 심장에 안 좋아요.

Running excessively all of a sudden is bad for your heart.

Adverbial use in health context.

무리한 일정 때문에 다들 지쳤어요.

Everyone is exhausted because of the unreasonable schedule.

'-때문에' (because of).

무리해서 도와주셔서 정말 감사합니다.

Thank you so much for going out of your way to help me.

Polite acknowledgement of effort.

그 계획을 무리하게 추진할 필요는 없어요.

There's no need to push that plan forward excessively.

'-을 필요는 없다' (no need to).

무리하지 않는 선에서 최선을 다하세요.

Do your best within a range that isn't overdoing it.

'-는 선에서' (within the limit of).

무리하게 사업을 확장하다가 망했어요.

The business went bankrupt while expanding excessively.

'-다가' indicating an interrupted action or result.

이번 마감은 도저히 무리인 것 같습니다.

This deadline seems absolutely impossible/too much.

Formal '-ㄴ 것 같습니다' with '도저히' (not at all).

무리한 다이어트는 요요 현상을 불러와요.

Excessive dieting leads to the yo-yo effect.

Scientific/health explanation.

무리하게 법을 적용하면 문제가 생깁니다.

Problems arise if the law is applied unreasonably.

Abstract/legal context.

그는 무리한 투자를 권유받았으나 거절했다.

He was advised to make a reckless investment but refused.

Passive form '권유받다' and contrastive '-으나'.

신체적 무리가 오지 않도록 조심하십시오.

Please be careful so as not to cause physical overstrain.

Formal imperative '-십시오'.

무리한 요구를 일삼는 상사 때문에 힘들어요.

It's hard because of a boss who constantly makes unreasonable demands.

'-을 일삼다' (to habitually do something negative).

무리해서 밤을 새우는 것은 비효율적이다.

Staying up all night by overdoing it is inefficient.

Formal/Academic '-는 것은 ...이다' structure.

무리한 가격 책정은 소비자들의 반발을 샀다.

The unreasonable pricing drew backlash from consumers.

Economic/Business context.

그의 주장은 논리적으로 다소 무리가 있다.

His argument is somewhat logically flawed/unreasonable.

Abstract logical usage.

무리하게 공사를 강행하다가 사고가 났다.

An accident occurred while forcing the construction forward excessively.

Combining '무리하게' and '강행하다'.

무리한 수사 관행은 인권 침해의 소지가 있다.

Unreasonable investigative practices may lead to human rights violations.

Legal/Human rights context.

그는 무리해서라도 체면을 차리려고 했다.

He tried to save face even by overextending himself.

Cultural concept of 'saving face'.

무리한 경쟁 사회가 청년들을 고통스럽게 한다.

An excessively competitive society causes suffering for young people.

Sociological commentary.

무리하게 목표를 잡으면 쉽게 포기하게 된다.

If you set goals unreasonably high, you end up giving up easily.

Psychological/Motivational context.

무리하게 자원을 추출하는 것은 환경에 해롭다.

Extracting resources excessively is harmful to the environment.

Environmental context.

정부의 무리한 개입이 시장 질서를 어지럽혔다.

The government's excessive intervention disrupted the market order.

Political/Economic analysis.

이 가설은 데이터에 비추어 볼 때 무리가 있다.

This hypothesis is unreasonable when viewed in light of the data.

Academic/Scientific critique.

무리한 법 해석은 사법부의 신뢰를 떨어뜨린다.

Unreasonable interpretation of the law undermines trust in the judiciary.

Legal philosophy.

그의 성공은 무리한 희생 위에 세워진 성곽이다.

His success is a castle built upon excessive sacrifice.

Metaphorical/Literary usage.

무리하게 전통을 고수하는 것은 발전을 저해한다.

Adhering to tradition excessively hinders progress.

Cultural/Societal progress debate.

무리한 세금 징수는 민심의 이반을 초래했다.

Excessive tax collection led to the alienation of public sentiment.

Historical/Political context.

작가는 무리한 반전으로 극의 개연성을 해쳤다.

The author ruined the plot's probability with an unreasonable twist.

Literary/Media criticism.

무리한 군비 확장은 국가 재정에 큰 부담이 된다.

Excessive military expansion places a heavy burden on national finances.

Geopolitical/Financial analysis.

Synonyms

과로하다 지나치다 무모하다 강행하다 힘에 겹다 벅차다 과도하다 몰아붙이다

Antonyms

적당하다 합리적이다 수월하다 여유롭다

Common Collocations

무리하게 일하다

무리한 요구

무리한 계획

무리하게 대출받다

무리해서 밤새우다

무리한 부탁

무리하게 운동하다

무리한 다이어트

무리하게 추진하다

전혀 무리가 없다

Common Phrases

무리하지 마세요

— Please don't overdo it. Used to show concern for someone's health.

피곤해 보이는데 무리하지 마세요.

그건 좀 무리예요

— That's a bit too much/impossible. Used to decline a request.

오늘 안에 다 끝내는 건 무리예요.

무리도 아니에요

— It's no wonder / It's understandable. Literally 'It's not unreasonable'.

그가 화내는 것도 무리가 아니에요.

무리해서라도

— Even if it means overdoing it. Used when showing strong determination.

무리해서라도 이번 기회를 잡아야 해요.

신체에 무리가 가다

— To put a strain on the body. Medical/Health context.

나이가 들면 무릎에 무리가 가요.

무리수를 두다

— To make a risky/bad move. Originally from the game Go.

그는 선거에서 승리하기 위해 무리수를 두었다.

무리하게 굴다

— To act unreasonably or pushy.

아이에게 너무 무리하게 굴지 마세요.

무리인 줄 알면서도

— Even though I know it's too much.

무리인 줄 알면서도 부탁을 드립니다.

무리한 설정

— An unreasonable setting or plot hole. Used in media criticism.

드라마의 결말이 너무 무리한 설정이었어요.

무리 없이

— Without strain / Smoothly.

행사가 무리 없이 잘 끝났습니다.

Often Confused With

무리하다 vs 열심히 하다

English speakers might think 'overworking' is just 'working hard'. '열심히' is positive; '무리' is negative/strained.

무리하다 vs 불가능하다

'불가능' is strictly impossible (1+1=3). '무리' is humanly too much/unreasonable.

무리하다 vs 피곤하다

'피곤' is the feeling of tiredness. '무리' is the action that caused the tiredness.

Idioms & Expressions

"무리수를 두다"

— Taking a risky, unreasonable action to solve a problem, often leading to failure.

성급하게 무리수를 두다가 일을 그르쳤다.

Common

"무리도 아니다"

— Used when something is perfectly understandable or expected given the situation.

열심히 했으니 피곤한 것도 무리가 아니다.

Neutral

"힘에 부치다"

— To be beyond one's strength; similar to '무리하다' but more focused on strength.

혼자서 아이 셋을 키우는 건 힘에 부친다.

Neutral

"가랑이가 찢어지다"

— To overextend oneself (financially); from 'If a crow-tit tries to walk like a stork, its legs will tear'.

뱁새가 황새 따라가다 가랑이 찢어진다더니 무리하게 투자했구나.

Proverbial

"뼈가 빠지다"

— To work so hard that your bones fall out; extreme '무리'.

뼈가 빠지게 일해도 빚 갚기가 힘들다.

Informal

"눈코 뜰 새 없다"

— To be incredibly busy (to the point of overdoing it).

요즘 눈코 뜰 새 없이 무리하고 있어요.

Common

"몸을 사리지 않다"

— To not spare one's body; to overwork oneself for a cause.

그는 몸을 사리지 않고 무리하게 구조 작업에 참여했다.

Respectful

"기를 쓰다"

— To exert oneself to the maximum, often desperately.

그는 이기려고 기를 쓰며 무리하게 뛰었다.

Neutral

"등골이 휘다"

— One's back is bending (from the weight of burden/work).

학비 대느라 부모님 등골이 휜다.

Common

"진땀을 빼다"

— To sweat hard from struggle; overexertion in a difficult situation.

시험 시간 내내 무리하게 답을 쓰느라 진땀을 뺐다.

Common

Easily Confused

무리하다 vs 과로하다

Both involve overworking.

'과로하다' is specifically about labor/work. '무리하다' is broader (exercise, money, logic).

회사업무로 과로했다. (Overworked by company tasks.)

무리하다 vs 무모하다

Both involve doing too much.

'무모하다' implies recklessness and lack of a plan. '무리하다' implies physical or logical strain.

그의 도전은 무모했다. (His challenge was reckless.)

무리하다 vs 지나치다

Both mean 'too much'.

'지나치다' is general (too much salt, too much talk). '무리하다' is about exceeding capacity.

농담이 지나치다. (The joke is excessive.)

무리하다 vs 강행하다

Both involve pushing hard.

'강행하다' is the act of forcing a schedule or plan. '무리하다' is the state of that being too much.

경기를 강행했다. (Forced the game to proceed.)

무리하다 vs 벅차다

Both mean 'too much to handle'.

'벅차다' often has an emotional or overwhelming nuance (can be positive too). '무리하다' is more about the strain.

기쁨에 가슴이 벅차다. (Heart is full of joy.)

Sentence Patterns

무리하지 마세요.

건강을 위해서 무리하지 마세요.

너무 무리해서 ~아/어/여요.

너무 무리해서 피곤해요.

~은/는 것은 무리예요.

혼자 다 하는 것은 무리예요.

무리하게 ~하지 마세요.

무리하게 다이어트하지 마세요.

무리한 ~ 때문에 ~.

무리한 일정 때문에 지쳤어요.

무리인 줄 알면서도 ~.

무리인 줄 알면서도 도전했어요.

~에는 다소 무리가 있다.

이 주장은 받아들이기에 다소 무리가 있다.

무리한 ~이/가 ~을/를 초래하다.

무리한 확장이 파산을 초래했다.

Word Family

Nouns

무리 (unreasonableness/excess)

무리수 (a risky move/bad move)

Verbs

무리하다 (to overdo/be unreasonable)

무리시키다 (to make someone overdo it)

Adjectives

무리한 (unreasonable/excessive)

과로 (overwork)

무리수 (risky move)

무리함 (the state of being unreasonable)

무리적 (unreasonable - rare)

부조리 (irrationality)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in daily conversation, health contexts, and business.

Common Mistakes

Using '무리하게' for 'hard work' (positive). → 열심히
'무리하게' implies you are doing it in a way that is bad for you. Use '열심히' for positive hard work.
Saying '무리해요' to mean 'I'm tired'. → 피곤해요
'무리해요' is the action; '피곤해요' is the feeling. You are tired *because* you overdid it.
Confusing '무리' (excess) with '무리' (group). → Contextual awareness.
They sound the same but have different meanings. Context usually makes it clear.
Using '무리' for physical impossibility (like flying). → 불가능하다
If it's against the laws of nature, use '불가능'. '무리' is for things humans shouldn't or can't realistically do.
Incorrect noun modification: '무리하게 계획'. → 무리한 계획
You need the adjective form '-ㄴ' to modify a noun directly.

Tips

Health First

Always use '무리하지 마세요' when a friend tells you they are busy. It's the standard Korean way to show you care.

Adjective vs Verb

Remember '무리하다' can describe a plan (adjective) or the act of overworking (verb). Conjugate accordingly.

Polite Refusal

If a client asks for too much, say '그건 저희에게 조금 무리인 것 같습니다' to decline politely.

Hanja Power

Remembering 無 (No) + 理 (Reason) will help you understand its use in logic and arguments.

Avoid Overuse

Don't use it for tiny things. It implies a level of strain that could lead to negative consequences.

Tone Matters

Keep your tone soft when saying '무리하지 마' to friends so it sounds like concern, not a command.

Adverb Placement

Place '무리하게' right before the verb it modifies: '무리하게 공부하다'.

Work Culture

In Korea, admitting you '무리했다' is often a way to explain why you are taking a break or why you are sick.

Synonym Choice

Use '과로' for work, '무모' for recklessness, and '무리' for general overextension.

Visual Memory

Visualize a rubber band stretching until it's about to snap. That state is '무리'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Moo' (like a cow) and 'Ree'. If a cow tries to climb a tree, it's 'Moo-Ree' (Unreasonable/Overdoing it)!

Visual Association

Imagine a person trying to lift a car with one hand. That is '무리'.

Word Web

Work Health Logic Money Exercise Strain Impossible Warning

Challenge

Try to use '무리하지 마세요' at least once today when you see someone working hard.

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean Hanja: '無' (무 - mu) meaning 'none' or 'without' and '理' (리 - ri) meaning 'reason', 'logic', or 'principle'.

Original meaning: The state of having no logic or being contrary to the natural principles of things.

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound condescending when telling an elder '무리하지 마세요'. Use a soft tone to ensure it sounds like concern, not advice.

English speakers might say 'Don't kill yourself' or 'Don't overwork', but '무리하지 마세요' is more common and polite in daily life.

K-Drama 'Misaeng' (Incomplete Life) frequently depicts characters who '무리하다' in the corporate world. The song 'Cheer Up' by TWICE implies staying healthy and not overdoing the stress of love. The movie 'Parasite' shows the '무리한' plans of the Kim family to infiltrate the Park household.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Gym

무리하게 무게 올리지 마세요.
오늘 너무 무리했나 봐요.
무리하지 않는 선에서 하세요.
몸에 무리가 갔어요.

In the Office

이번 일정은 무리입니다.
무리한 요구를 하지 마세요.
무리해서 일할 필요 없어요.
건강 생각해서 무리하지 마세요.

With Friends

오늘 너무 무리하는 거 아냐?
무리하지 말고 일찍 자.
무리해서 올 필요 없어.
그건 좀 무리인 것 같아.

Financial Discussion

무리한 투자는 위험해요.
무리하게 돈을 빌리지 마세요.
재정적으로 무리가 있어요.
무리한 소비를 줄여야 해요.

Academic Advice

밤샘 공부는 무리야.
무리한 목표를 잡지 마.
무리해서 외우려 하지 마세요.
시험 기간에 무리하면 안 돼.

Conversation Starters

"요즘 일 때문에 너무 무리하시는 거 아니에요?"

"건강을 위해서 무리하지 않는 게 좋겠죠?"

"혹시 제가 무리한 부탁을 드린 건 아닐까요?"

"무리하게 계획을 세웠다가 실패한 적이 있나요?"

"운동할 때 무리해서 다친 적이 있어요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 무리했던 일은 무엇인가요? (What did I overdo today?)

무리하지 않고 건강을 챙기기 위해 무엇을 할 수 있을까요? (What can I do to stay healthy without overdoing it?)

살면서 가장 무리했던 순간은 언제였나요? (When was the most over-the-top moment in your life?)

주변 사람들에게 '무리하지 마세요'라고 말해본 적이 있나요? (Have you ever told someone around you not to overdo it?)

무리한 목표보다는 현실적인 목표가 왜 중요한가요? (Why are realistic goals more important than unreasonable ones?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but with a nuance. It means 'impossible under current conditions' or 'unreasonable to ask'. For example, finishing a book in an hour is '무리예요'. Using '불가능해요' would be more about a literal impossibility.

It is polite, but in a very formal setting, it's better to say '건강 잘 챙기세요' (Take care of your health). '무리하지 마세요' can sometimes sound like you are giving advice, which can be sensitive with superiors.

'무리하게' is an adverb meaning 'excessively' (modifies the verb directly). '무리해서' is 'overdoing it and then...' (connects two actions). Example: '무리하게 일하다' (work excessively) vs '무리해서 병이 났다' (overdid it and got sick).

Yes. '무리가 가다' (strain is put on) or '무리를 하다' (to do an unreasonable thing). It is a noun meaning 'unreasonableness'.

It's a slang/idiom meaning a 'bad move' or a 'risky attempt' that is likely to fail. It's often used when someone makes an awkward joke or a desperate attempt to win.

You say '무리했어요' (Muri-haesseoyo). If you want to emphasize it was 'too much', add '너무' (neomu) before it: '너무 무리했어요'.

No. It can be for logical arguments ('논리적으로 무리다'), financial spending ('무리한 소비'), or academic goals ('무리한 목표').

The most common opposite is '적당하다' (to be appropriate/moderate) or '합리적이다' (to be rational).

Actually, there is a homonym '무리' that means 'group' or 'crowd'. But they have different Hanja. The '무리' in '무리하다' means unreasonableness.

Yes, often in lyrics about working hard for dreams or in variety shows where idols are warned not to get injured.