At the A1 level, you should focus on the basic meaning of 힘들게 하다 as 'making someone tired' or 'making things hard.' You likely already know 힘들어요 (It's hard). This new phrase adds the idea that someone else is the cause. Think of it as 'A makes B tired.' For example, if a heavy bag is making you tired, you can say '가방이 나를 힘들게 해요.' It's a useful way to explain why you are feeling exhausted. Keep your sentences simple: Subject + Object + 힘들게 해요. Don't worry about complex tenses yet; just practice the present tense and the negative '하지 마세요' (Don't do).
At the A2 level, you can start using 힘들게 하다 to describe more than just physical tiredness. You can use it for schoolwork, chores, or simple relationships. You should understand that the object of the sentence (the person suffering) needs the particle ~을/를. You can also start using the past tense 힘들게 했어요 to talk about your day. For instance, '어제 일이 저를 너무 힘들게 했어요' (Work made me very tired yesterday). This level is about connecting the cause (work) to your feeling (tiredness) using this causative verb structure. You should also recognize it in common phrases like '부모님을 힘들게 하지 마세요' (Don't make it hard for your parents).
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 힘들게 하다 in various social contexts, including emotional ones. You can use it to talk about how abstract concepts like 'love' or 'money' affect your life. You should also be able to distinguish it from similar verbs like 괴롭히다 (to bully) or 고생시키다 (to make someone work hard). At this stage, you should use the word to express nuance in your feelings. For example, instead of just saying 'I'm sad,' you can say '이 상황이 저를 너무 힘들게 하네요' (This situation is making things very hard for me). This shows a higher level of expression by identifying the external source of your stress.
At the B2 level, you can use 힘들게 하다 to discuss societal issues or complex interpersonal dynamics. You might use it in a debate about how government policies are 'making life hard' for small business owners. You should also be familiar with the honorific forms, such as 힘들게 해 드려서 죄송합니다 (I am sorry for making things hard for you - using the humble 'give' auxiliary). This demonstrates an understanding of Korean social hierarchy. You can also use it in more complex sentence structures, such as '그를 힘들게 했던 기억들이 이제는 사라졌다' (The memories that used to make him suffer have now disappeared), using it as a relative clause.
At the C1 level, you should understand the psychological depth of 힘들게 하다. You can use it to describe subtle forms of mental pressure or existential struggles. You should be able to appreciate how it's used in literature and high-level journalism to describe the 'human condition' or 'economic hardship' on a national scale. You might explore how the verb can be used metaphorically, such as '침묵이 우리 사이를 힘들게 했다' (The silence made things difficult between us). Your usage should be precise, choosing this word over others to specifically highlight the drain on one's energy and spirit rather than just a physical obstacle.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of the emotional resonance of 힘들게 하다. You can use it in philosophical discussions about whether 'hardship' (힘들게 하는 것들) is necessary for personal growth. You understand the historical and cultural context of 'suffering' in Korea and how this verb fits into that narrative. You can use the word with perfect control of register, from the most casual slang to the most formal academic discourse. You can also analyze the rhythm and flow of the word in poetry or song lyrics, understanding why a writer chose this specific causative form to evoke a particular feeling of weariness in the reader.

힘들게하다 em 30 segundos

  • A causative verb meaning 'to make difficult' or 'to trouble someone'.
  • Used for both physical exhaustion and emotional/mental stress.
  • Requires an object marker (~을/를) for the person suffering.
  • Commonly heard in K-Dramas during emotional conflicts or apologies.

The Korean verb 힘들게하다 is a causative construction derived from the descriptive verb 힘들다, which means 'to be difficult' or 'to be tiring.' By adding the causative suffix -게 하다, the meaning shifts from a state of being difficult to the active process of making something or someone experience that difficulty. In the landscape of Korean interpersonal communication, this word is heavy with emotional weight. It is not merely about physical labor; it often describes the psychological or emotional burden one person places on another. When you use 힘들게하다, you are identifying an external force or person as the source of your struggle. This is a crucial distinction in Korean culture, where harmony is valued, and admitting that someone is 'making things hard' for you is a significant expression of vulnerability or frustration.

The Literal Breakdown
The root (him) means 'strength' or 'power,' and 들다 (deul-da) means 'to enter' or 'to be required.' Literally, 힘들다 suggests that 'strength is entering' or being consumed by a task. Therefore, 힘들게하다 translates to 'causing a situation where someone's strength must be consumed' or 'forcing someone to exert effort beyond their comfort.'
Emotional Nuance
In romantic relationships or family dynamics, this word is frequently used to express that a partner or family member's behavior is causing distress. It is less aggressive than 'to hurt' (아프게 하다) but more specific than 'to be bad' (나쁘다). It focuses on the weariness caused by the other party.

제발 나를 더 이상 힘들게 하지 마세요.

Translation: Please don't make things difficult for me anymore.

Furthermore, the word is used in professional settings to describe tasks or projects that are unnecessarily complex. If a boss gives a worker a task with an impossible deadline, the worker might think, '부장님이 나를 힘들게 하신다' (The manager is making things hard for me). It encompasses everything from physical exhaustion to the 'mental drain' of a difficult situation. It is a versatile verb that bridges the gap between physical labor and mental anguish, making it a staple in daily Korean conversation for expressing dissatisfaction with a situation's difficulty level.

Relationship Dynamics
When used in the context of 'loving someone,' it often appears in the phrase '사랑이 나를 힘들게 해' (Love makes me suffer/makes things hard for me). This highlights the bittersweet nature of effortful relationships.

그 일은 저를 육체적으로 힘들게 했어요.

Translation: That work made me physically exhausted.

Grammatically, 힘들게하다 functions as a transitive verb phrase. Because it is a causative action, it requires an object—the person or thing that is being subjected to the difficulty. This object is typically marked with the object particles ~을 or ~를. The structure follows the pattern: [Subject]이/가 [Object]를/을 힘들게 하다. Understanding this structure is vital for A2 learners because it differs from the simple adjective 힘들다, which only needs a subject.

Sentence Pattern 1: Interpersonal
Focuses on how one person affects another. Example: '동생이 나를 힘들게 해.' (My younger sibling is making things hard for me.) Here, the sibling is the agent of the difficulty.
Sentence Pattern 2: Situational
Focuses on how a situation affects a person. Example: '경제적인 문제가 우리 가족을 힘들게 해요.' (Financial problems are making it hard for our family.)

아이들이 밤새 울어서 부모님을 힘들게 했어요.

Translation: The children cried all night, making it difficult for the parents.

When conjugating 힘들게하다, you must remember that the '하다' part carries the tense and politeness level. For example, in the past tense, it becomes 힘들게 했다; in the present formal, 힘들게 합니다; and in the future, 힘들게 할 거예요. It is also common to see it in the negative imperative form: 힘들게 하지 마세요 (Don't make it hard). This is a very common plea in emotional dramas or real-life arguments. The adverbial form 힘들게 (difficultly) modifies the verb 하다 (to do), creating the meaning 'to do [something] in a way that is difficult [for someone].'

복잡한 규칙이 사용자들을 힘들게 하네요.

Translation: The complex rules are making it hard for the users.

In more advanced usage, you might see this verb paired with other causative structures or used in passive contexts indirectly. However, for most learners, mastering the 'A가 B를 힘들게 하다' pattern is sufficient for expressing a wide range of frustrations. It is also worth noting that in spoken Korean, the '를' is often dropped, resulting in '나 힘들게 하지 마' (Don't make me suffer).

If you watch Korean dramas (K-Dramas), you will hear 힘들게하다 in almost every episode. It is the quintessential 'breakup' or 'conflict' verb. Characters use it to express that the weight of a secret, a social class difference, or unrequited love is taking a toll on them. In reality, you'll hear it in offices, schools, and homes throughout Korea. It's a word that resonates with the high-pressure nature of Korean society, where 'making things difficult' for others is a common social anxiety. Whether it's a student talking about their exams or a worker talking about a demanding client, this word captures the essence of the struggle.

In K-Dramas
Often used in the line: '내가 너를 너무 힘들게 했지?' (I made things too hard for you, didn't I?). This is a moment of realization where one character acknowledges the burden they've placed on another.
In the Workplace
Employees might whisper to each other: '그 부장님은 사람들을 참 힘들게 해.' (That manager really makes things hard for people). It refers to micro-management or excessive workloads.

왜 자꾸 나를 힘들게 하는 거야?

Translation: Why do you keep making things difficult for me?

You will also hear this in song lyrics, particularly in ballads. Songs about heartbreak often describe how the memory of a past lover 'makes the singer suffer' (추억이 나를 힘들게 해). In this context, the memory itself is personified as the agent causing pain. This word is deeply tied to the concept of Han (한), a uniquely Korean feeling of sorrow and resentment. By expressing that something is 힘들게 하고 있다, the speaker is giving voice to their internal struggle.

이별은 항상 사람을 힘들게 한다.

Translation: Breakups always make people suffer.

In everyday life, a mother might say to her child who is misbehaving in a store, '엄마 힘들게 하지 마' (Don't make it hard for Mommy). Here, it's used to discourage behavior that requires the mother to exert more patience or physical effort to control the child. It's a versatile, high-frequency phrase that every learner should recognize.

The most common mistake English speakers make is confusing 힘들게하다 with its root 힘들다. While they look similar, their grammatical roles are entirely different. 힘들다 is an adjective (descriptive verb) used to describe a state: 'This is hard.' 힘들게하다 is a causative verb phrase used to describe an action: 'You are making this hard.' Using the wrong one can lead to confusion about who is responsible for the difficulty.

Mistake 1: Wrong Particle Choice
Incorrect: '내가 힘들게 해요.' (I am difficult - this sounds like you are saying you are a difficult person in a weird way). Correct: '그가 나를 힘들게 해요.' (He makes me suffer). You must use the object marker ~를/을 for the person suffering.
Mistake 2: Confusing with '어렵다'
Learners often use 어렵게 하다 when they mean 힘들게 하다. 어렵게 하다 usually means making a task complex or difficult to solve (like a math problem). 힘들게 하다 is about the burden or effort required.

❌ 숙제가 나를 어렵게 해요.
✅ 숙제가 나를 힘들게 해요.

Note: The second sentence is much more natural for expressing that homework is exhausting you.

Another mistake is overusing the word in formal settings. While it is common, if you are speaking to someone much higher in status, saying 힘들게 하셨어요 (You made it hard) can sound accusatory. In those cases, it is better to say 제가 부족해서 고생했습니다 (I struggled because I was lacking), which shifts the 'fault' to oneself, maintaining social harmony. Understanding the social consequences of using a causative verb is just as important as the grammar itself.

왜 저를 힘들게 하시는 거예요?

Translation: Why are you making things so difficult for me? (Polite but firm questioning)

Lastly, don't forget the space! In written Korean, 힘들게 and 하다 are technically separate words (adverb + verb), so there should be a space: 힘들게 하다. However, in many digital contexts, people often write them together. For formal writing, keep the space.

Korean has a rich vocabulary for suffering and difficulty. While 힘들게하다 is the most common all-purpose term, other words can provide more specific shades of meaning. Choosing the right alternative depends on whether the difficulty is physical, mental, or caused by intentional harassment.

괴롭히다 (Gwerop-hida)
This means 'to tease,' 'to bully,' or 'to torment.' It implies a more intentional and often more aggressive form of making someone's life difficult. If 힘들게 하다 is 'making me tired,' 괴롭히다 is 'actively bothering me.'
고생시키다 (Gosaeng-sikida)
This literally means 'to make someone undergo hardship.' It is often used when someone's situation or lack of resources causes another person to work very hard. For example, a husband might say this to his wife if they are living in a poor situation: '고생시켜서 미안해' (I'm sorry for making you go through such hardship).

그는 친구들을 괴롭히는 것을 좋아해요.

Translation: He likes to torment his friends. (More aggressive than 힘들게 하다)

Another alternative is 어렵게 하다, which as mentioned before, is more about complexity. If a teacher makes a test very hard, they are 시험을 어렵게 냈다 (made the test difficult). If the teacher's behavior makes the students exhausted, the teacher is 학생들을 힘들게 했다. There is also 피곤하게 하다 (to make someone tired), but this is usually limited to physical or immediate mental fatigue, whereas 힘들게 하다 covers a much broader emotional spectrum.

부모님을 더 이상 고생시키고 싶지 않아요.

Translation: I don't want to make my parents go through hardship anymore.

Finally, in very formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 곤혹스럽게 하다 (to embarrass or put someone in a difficult spot) or 난처하게 하다 (to put someone in an awkward position). These are more specific than the broad 'difficulty' of 힘들게 하다 and are used when the difficulty is social or situational embarrassment.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The root '들다' is used in many Korean expressions involving consumption or entry, like '돈이 들다' (to cost money) or '잠이 들다' (to fall asleep). So, '힘들다' literally means 'strength is being spent'.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /him.dɯl.ɡe.ha.da/
US /him.dəl.ɡeɪ.hɑ.dɑ/
The primary stress is on the first syllable '힘' (him), with a secondary stress on '하' (ha).
Rima com
공부하게 하다 (gong-bu-ha-ge ha-da) 생각하게 하다 (saeng-gak-ha-ge ha-da) 슬프게 하다 (seul-peu-ge ha-da) 기쁘게 하다 (gi-peu-ge ha-da) 멀게 하다 (meol-ge ha-da) 밝게 하다 (bal-ge ha-da) 작게 하다 (jak-ge ha-da) 크게 하다 (keu-ge ha-da)
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing '힘' as 'him' (like the English pronoun) - keep the 'i' short and tense.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'l' in 'deul' - it's a soft flap, not a heavy English 'L'.
  • Merging '게' and '하' - keep them as distinct syllables.
  • Forgetting the aspiration on 'h' in 'ha'.
  • Pronouncing 'deul' like 'dual' - it's a single syllable.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know '힘들다'.

Escrita 3/5

Requires correct object markers and spacing.

Expressão oral 3/5

Needs correct conjugation and intonation to not sound too aggressive.

Audição 2/5

Very common in spoken media.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

들다 힘들다 하다 -게

Aprenda a seguir

괴롭히다 고생시키다 어렵다 피곤하다 짜증나게 하다

Avançado

곤혹스럽다 난처하다 핍박하다 착취하다

Gramática essencial

Causative -게 하다

웃게 하다 (to make someone laugh), 울게 하다 (to make someone cry).

Object Markers ~을/를

나를 힘들게 하다 (Make ME suffer).

Negative Imperative -지 마세요

힘들게 하지 마세요 (Don't make it hard).

Adverbial Suffix -게

힘들게 (difficultly), 예쁘게 (prettily).

Auxiliary Verb -고 싶다

힘들게 하고 싶지 않아요 (Don't want to make it hard).

Exemplos por nível

1

동생이 나를 힘들게 해요.

My younger sibling makes me tired.

Simple present tense with object marker '나를'.

2

가방이 너무 힘들게 해요.

The bag is making it hard (for me).

Using a noun as the subject causing difficulty.

3

나를 힘들게 하지 마세요.

Don't make things hard for me.

Negative imperative form '-지 마세요'.

4

그 일은 저를 힘들게 해요.

That work makes me tired.

Identifying a task as the cause of stress.

5

왜 나를 힘들게 해?

Why are you making it hard for me?

Casual question form.

6

숙제가 학생들을 힘들게 해요.

Homework makes students suffer.

Plural object '학생들을'.

7

더위가 우리를 힘들게 해요.

The heat is making it hard for us.

Environmental factor as the subject.

8

엄마를 힘들게 하지 마.

Don't make it hard for Mom.

Casual negative imperative.

1

어제 운동이 나를 힘들게 했어요.

Yesterday's exercise made me tired.

Past tense '-게 했어요'.

2

컴퓨터 고장이 저를 힘들게 하네요.

The computer breakdown is making things hard for me.

Exclamatory ending '-네요' expressing realization.

3

부모님을 힘들게 하고 싶지 않아요.

I don't want to make it hard for my parents.

'-고 싶지 않아요' (don't want to) structure.

4

이 신발은 발을 힘들게 해요.

These shoes make my feet suffer.

Body part '발' as the object.

5

복잡한 길이 운전자를 힘들게 했어요.

The complex road made it hard for the driver.

Adjective '복잡한' modifying the subject.

6

너무 많은 질문이 나를 힘들게 해.

Too many questions are making it hard for me.

Quantifier '너무 많은' with the subject.

7

그는 친구를 힘들게 하는 행동을 했어요.

He did something that made his friend suffer.

Relative clause '-하는' modifying '행동'.

8

비가 와서 등산을 힘들게 했어요.

Because it rained, it made hiking difficult.

Reasoning clause '-아서' (because).

1

사랑이 때로는 사람을 힘들게 해요.

Love sometimes makes people suffer.

Abstract noun '사랑' as subject.

2

경제적인 어려움이 그 가족을 힘들게 했어요.

Economic difficulties made things hard for that family.

Formal noun '어려움' (difficulty).

3

제 실수가 팀원들을 힘들게 한 것 같아요.

I think my mistake made the team members suffer.

'-ㄴ 것 같아요' (it seems that) expressing uncertainty.

4

우리는 서로를 힘들게 하지 않기로 약속했어요.

We promised not to make things hard for each other.

'-기로 약속하다' (promise to do).

5

갑작스러운 변화가 직원들을 힘들게 하고 있습니다.

Sudden changes are making things hard for the employees.

Present progressive '-고 있다'.

6

그의 무례한 태도가 나를 정말 힘들게 했다.

His rude attitude really made me suffer.

Plain style '-다' for narration or journal.

7

건강 문제가 그녀를 오랫동안 힘들게 했어요.

Health issues made her suffer for a long time.

Adverb '오랫동안' (for a long time).

8

시험 공부가 저를 정신적으로 힘들게 해요.

Studying for exams makes me mentally exhausted.

Adverb '정신적으로' (mentally).

1

사회적 압박이 청년들을 힘들게 하고 있습니다.

Social pressure is making things difficult for young people.

Societal context usage.

2

나를 힘들게 했던 모든 것들을 잊고 싶어요.

I want to forget everything that made me suffer.

Past retrospective relative clause '-했던'.

3

부당한 대우가 노동자들을 힘들게 하고 있습니다.

Unfair treatment is making things hard for workers.

Political/Labor context.

4

그의 침묵은 나를 더 힘들게 할 뿐이었다.

His silence only made me suffer more.

'-ㄹ 뿐이다' (only/nothing but).

5

우리가 처한 상황이 당신을 힘들게 하지는 않았나요?

Didn't the situation we were in make things hard for you?

Negative question form.

6

지나친 경쟁은 아이들을 정서적으로 힘들게 합니다.

Excessive competition makes children emotionally suffer.

Adverb '정서적으로' (emotionally).

7

누군가를 힘들게 하면서까지 성공하고 싶지는 않아요.

I don't want to succeed even if it means making someone suffer.

'-면서까지' (even to the point of doing).

8

그 영화는 관객의 마음을 힘들게 하는 주제를 다뤘다.

The movie dealt with a theme that makes the audience's hearts ache.

Topic '주제' modified by a clause.

1

불확실한 미래가 현대인들을 끊임없이 힘들게 한다.

The uncertain future constantly troubles modern people.

Abstract subject with adverb '끊임없이'.

2

그의 배신은 나를 육체적, 정신적으로 모두 힘들게 했다.

His betrayal made me suffer both physically and mentally.

Dual adverbs for emphasis.

3

죄책감이 그녀를 평생 힘들게 할지도 모른다.

Guilt might trouble her for the rest of her life.

'-ㄹ지도 모른다' (might/may).

4

타인의 시선을 의식하는 삶은 스스로를 힘들게 할 뿐이다.

A life conscious of others' gaze only makes oneself suffer.

Reflexive pronoun '스스로' as object.

5

고정관념은 우리 사회의 발전을 힘들게 하는 요소 중 하나다.

Stereotypes are one of the factors making our society's development difficult.

Noun phrase '요소 중 하나' (one of the factors).

6

완벽주의는 때로 자신을 가장 힘들게 하는 적이 된다.

Perfectionism sometimes becomes the enemy that troubles oneself the most.

Metaphorical usage.

7

그의 말 한마디가 나를 얼마나 힘들게 했는지 당신은 모를 거예요.

You won't know how much his single word made me suffer.

'-는지' indirect question clause.

8

역경은 우리를 힘들게 하지만, 동시에 우리를 성장시킨다.

Adversity makes us suffer, but at the same time, it makes us grow.

Contrastive conjunction '하지만'.

1

존재의 허무함이 그를 깊은 고독 속에서 힘들게 했다.

The futility of existence troubled him within a deep solitude.

Highly abstract/philosophical.

2

과거의 망령이 현재의 삶을 힘들게 하도록 내버려 두지 마라.

Do not let the ghosts of the past trouble your current life.

Literary imperative '-지 마라'.

3

인간의 욕심은 지구 생태계를 끊임없이 힘들게 하고 있다.

Human greed is constantly straining the Earth's ecosystem.

Global/Ecological context.

4

그의 문체는 독자를 힘들게 할 만큼 난해하고 복잡했다.

His writing style was so abstruse and complex that it troubled the reader.

'-ㄹ 만큼' (to the extent that).

5

권력의 횡포가 민초들의 삶을 처절하게 힘들게 했다.

The tyranny of power made the lives of the common people desperately difficult.

Historical/Political vocabulary.

6

자유라는 이름의 책임이 때로는 우리를 힘들게 하기도 한다.

The responsibility in the name of freedom sometimes also troubles us.

'-기도 하다' (also/sometimes does).

7

그 철학적 난제는 수세기에 걸쳐 학자들을 힘들게 해 왔다.

That philosophical conundrum has troubled scholars over the centuries.

'-해 왔다' (has been doing).

8

사랑하는 이를 떠나보내는 일은 영혼을 가장 힘들게 하는 시련이다.

Letting go of a loved one is the trial that troubles the soul the most.

Deeply emotional/Poetic.

Colocações comuns

사람을 힘들게 하다
마음을 힘들게 하다
상황이 힘들게 하다
부모님을 힘들게 하다
경제적으로 힘들게 하다
정신적으로 힘들게 하다
육체적으로 힘들게 하다
관계를 힘들게 하다
공부가 힘들게 하다
세상을 힘들게 하다

Frases Comuns

나 좀 힘들게 하지 마

— Stop bothering me / stop making it hard for me.

제발, 나 좀 힘들게 하지 마.

힘들게 해서 미안해

— I'm sorry for making things hard for you.

고집 피워서 힘들게 해서 미안해.

왜 나를 힘들게 해?

— Why are you doing this to me? (rhetorical frustration).

도대체 왜 나를 힘들게 하는 거야?

누구를 힘들게 하려고?

— Who are you trying to trouble? (suspicious).

그런 소문은 누구를 힘들게 하려고 내는 거야?

힘들게 할 생각은 없었어

— I didn't mean to make it hard for you.

진심으로 너를 힘들게 할 생각은 없었어.

그만 좀 힘들게 해

— Stop making it hard (already).

이제 그만 좀 힘들게 해라.

서로 힘들게 하지 말자

— Let's not make it hard for each other.

우리 싸우지 말고 서로 힘들게 하지 말자.

나를 힘들게 하는 것들

— The things that make my life difficult.

나를 힘들게 하는 것들로부터 떠나고 싶어.

힘들게 하지 마시길 바랍니다

— I hope you don't make it difficult (formal plea).

더 이상 가족들을 힘들게 하지 마시길 바랍니다.

너무 힘들게 하지 마

— Don't be too hard (on someone).

아이를 너무 힘들게 하지 마세요.

Frequentemente confundido com

힘들게하다 vs 힘들다

힘들다 is an adjective (it is hard), while 힘들게 하다 is a verb phrase (someone makes it hard).

힘들게하다 vs 어렵게 하다

어렵게 하다 is for intellectual difficulty; 힘들게 하다 is for personal/physical strain.

힘들게하다 vs 괴롭히다

괴롭히다 implies intentional bullying; 힘들게 하다 is more general.

Expressões idiomáticas

"눈물을 쏙 빼놓으며 힘들게 하다"

— To make someone suffer so much they cry a lot.

그 영화는 내 눈물을 쏙 빼놓으며 마음을 힘들게 했다.

Informal
"뼈를 깎는 고통으로 힘들게 하다"

— To cause extreme, bone-deep suffering.

훈련은 선수들을 뼈를 깎는 고통으로 힘들게 했다.

Literary
"숨이 턱 막히게 힘들게 하다"

— To make it so hard that one can't breathe (suffocating).

도시의 삶이 나를 숨이 턱 막히게 힘들게 해.

Neutral
"피를 말리며 힘들게 하다"

— To make someone so anxious/stressed it 'dries their blood'.

기다림은 나를 피를 말리며 힘들게 했다.

Idiomatic
"등골을 빼먹으며 힘들게 하다"

— To exploit someone (usually parents) making their life hard.

그는 부모님 등골을 빼먹으며 힘들게 했다.

Slang/Harsh
"가슴에 대못을 박으며 힘들게 하다"

— To drive a nail into someone's heart (deep emotional pain).

자식의 반항은 어머니 가슴에 대못을 박으며 힘들게 했다.

Idiomatic
"진을 다 빼놓으며 힘들게 하다"

— To drain all of someone's energy.

회의가 내 진을 다 빼놓으며 힘들게 했어.

Informal
"발목을 잡으며 힘들게 하다"

— To hold someone back and make their progress difficult.

과거의 실수가 그의 발목을 잡으며 힘들게 했다.

Neutral
"가시방석에 앉은 듯 힘들게 하다"

— To make someone feel like they are sitting on a cushion of thorns.

불편한 자리가 나를 가시방석에 앉은 듯 힘들게 했다.

Idiomatic
"속을 썩이며 힘들게 하다"

— To make someone worry so much their 'insides rot'.

그 아들은 매일 속을 썩이며 부모님을 힘들게 했다.

Informal

Fácil de confundir

힘들게하다 vs 피곤하게 하다

Both involve tiredness.

피곤하게 하다 is mostly physical or immediate mental fatigue. 힘들게 하다 is broader and can be existential or emotional.

운전이 나를 피곤하게 해요 vs. 삶이 나를 힘들게 해요.

힘들게하다 vs 고생시키다

Both involve hardship.

고생시키다 often refers to labor or lack of comfort. 힘들게 하다 is more about the internal feeling of struggle.

가난이 가족을 고생시켰다 vs. 성격이 나를 힘들게 한다.

힘들게하다 vs 귀찮게 하다

Both involve bothering someone.

귀찮게 하다 is 'to annoy' or 'to pester' with small things. 힘들게 하다 is a deeper level of struggle.

동생이 놀아달라고 귀찮게 해 vs. 동생이 사고를 쳐서 나를 힘들게 해.

힘들게하다 vs 아프게 하다

Both involve pain.

아프게 하다 is 'to hurt' (physically or emotionally). 힘들게 하다 is 'to make struggle'.

그의 말이 나를 아프게 했다 vs. 그의 말이 나를 힘들게 했다.

힘들게하다 vs 바쁘게 하다

Both involve taking up time/energy.

바쁘게 하다 just means 'to make busy'. You can be busy without it being 'hard' (힘들다).

손님들이 나를 바쁘게 하네.

Padrões de frases

A1

N이/가 나를 힘들게 해요.

가방이 나를 힘들게 해요.

A2

N을/를 힘들게 하지 마세요.

엄마를 힘들게 하지 마세요.

B1

S-아/어서 N을/를 힘들게 했어요.

비가 와서 우리를 힘들게 했어요.

B1

N이/가 N을/를 힘들게 하는 것 같아요.

이 일이 저를 힘들게 하는 것 같아요.

B2

N을/를 힘들게 했던 N

나를 힘들게 했던 기억들.

B2

N을/를 힘들게 하지 않기로 했어요.

서로를 힘들게 하지 않기로 했어요.

C1

N을/를 힘들게 하는 요소

사회를 힘들게 하는 요소.

C2

N을/를 힘들게 할 만큼 ADJ

나를 힘들게 할 만큼 어려웠다.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Strength, power, effort.
힘듦 The state of being difficult (nominalized form).

Verbos

힘내다 To cheer up, to muster strength.
힘쓰다 To make an effort, to use strength.

Adjetivos

힘들다 To be hard, difficult, tiring.
힘차다 To be powerful, energetic.

Relacionado

어렵다 (to be difficult)
고생 (hardship)
노력 (effort)
피로 (fatigue)
스트레스 (stress)

Como usar

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Korean.

Erros comuns
  • 내가 힘들게 해요. 그가 나를 힘들게 해요.

    You need an object. The first sentence sounds like you are saying 'I do difficultly,' which is incomplete.

  • 수학이 나를 어렵게 해요. 수학이 나를 힘들게 해요.

    어렵다 is an adjective for tasks. To say it makes YOU suffer, use 힘들게 하다.

  • 나를 힘들다 하지 마세요. 나를 힘들게 하지 마세요.

    You must use the adverbial form '-게' before '하다' to create the causative.

  • 그는 나에게 힘들게 했어요. 그는 나를 힘들게 했어요.

    While '에게' (to me) is sometimes used, '를' (me) is the standard object marker for this causative verb.

  • 힘들게하다 (No space) 힘들게 하다 (With space)

    In standard orthography, adverbs and verbs are separated by a space.

Dicas

Spacing Matters

In formal writing, ensure there is a space: 힘들게 하다. It's an adverb modifying a verb.

Apologizing

Use '힘들게 해서 죄송합니다' when you realize your requests or presence have caused someone extra work or stress.

Object Markers

Always check for ~을 or ~를. It's the person being 'made' to suffer.

K-Drama Key

When a character says '나 좀 힘들게 하지 마', they are usually at their breaking point emotionally.

vs. 괴롭히다

Use 괴롭히다 for intentional bullying. Use 힘들게 하다 for situational or unintentional strain.

Word Family

Learn '힘들다' first. Once you know 'it is hard', adding 'make' (게 하다) is easy.

The 'H' Sound

Make sure the 'H' in 'Hada' is audible, or it might sound like you're saying something else.

Mental vs Physical

This word perfectly covers both. Don't feel restricted to just physical tiredness.

Diary Entries

This is a great word for journals. '오늘 상사가 나를 힘들게 했다' (Today the boss made it hard for me).

Global Issues

You can use it to describe how high prices (물가) are '힘들게 한다' the people.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'Him' (힘 - strength) and 'Dull' (들 - entering/taking). It 'takes your strength'. Then 'Ge Hada' (게 하다) is the 'Make it happen' part. So, 'Make strength-taking happen' = make it difficult.

Associação visual

Imagine someone pushing a heavy boulder (the difficulty) onto someone else's shoulders. The person pushing is the subject of '힘들게 하다'.

Word Web

힘 (Strength) 들다 (Enter/Take) 힘들다 (Hard) 힘들게 (Difficultly) 하다 (To do) 힘들게 하다 (To make hard) 고생 (Hardship) 피곤 (Tired)

Desafio

Try to identify three things today that '힘들게 해요' (make things hard for) you, and say them out loud in Korean using the object marker.

Origem da palavra

The phrase is a combination of the noun '힘' (strength) and the verb '들다' (to enter/be consumed), forming the adjective '힘들다'. The causative suffix '-게 하다' is then attached to create the transitive verb phrase.

Significado original: To cause strength to be consumed.

Koreanic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using this with superiors. It can sound like you are blaming them for your stress. Use humble alternatives if possible.

English speakers might say 'You're killing me' or 'You're making my life a living hell' in extreme cases, but '힘들게 하다' is the standard, everyday way to express this in Korean without being overly dramatic.

Commonly found in K-Drama titles or OST lyrics (e.g., '사랑이 나를 힘들게 할 때'). Used in variety shows when guests are given impossible missions. A frequent phrase in 'healing' books that tell you it's okay to leave things that '힘들게 한다' you.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Workplace

  • 과도한 업무가 저를 힘들게 해요.
  • 부장님이 저를 힘들게 하십니다.
  • 마감 기한이 우리를 힘들게 하네요.
  • 회의가 너무 길어서 힘들게 해요.

Relationships

  • 너의 거짓말이 나를 힘들게 해.
  • 우리는 서로를 힘들게 하고 있어.
  • 그만 좀 나를 힘들게 해.
  • 힘들게 해서 정말 미안해.

School

  • 수학 시험이 학생들을 힘들게 했어요.
  • 숙제가 너무 많아서 나를 힘들게 해.
  • 친구와의 문제가 나를 힘들게 해요.
  • 공부 좀 하라고 힘들게 하지 마세요.

Daily Life

  • 더운 날씨가 나를 힘들게 하네.
  • 무거운 짐이 나를 힘들게 해요.
  • 차가 막혀서 운전자를 힘들게 했어요.
  • 컴퓨터가 느려서 저를 힘들게 해요.

Health

  • 감기가 나를 일주일 동안 힘들게 했어.
  • 허리 통증이 저를 힘들게 하네요.
  • 불면증이 그녀를 힘들게 하고 있어요.
  • 다이어트가 나를 힘들게 해.

Iniciadores de conversa

"요즘 무엇이 당신을 가장 힘들게 하나요? (What is making things hardest for you lately?)"

"혹시 제가 당신을 힘들게 한 적이 있나요? (Have I ever made things difficult for you?)"

"일이 너무 많아서 저를 힘들게 하네요. 당신은 어때요? (Too much work is making it hard for me. How about you?)"

"아이들이 가끔 부모님을 힘들게 하기도 하죠? (Children sometimes make it hard for parents, right?)"

"어떤 사람이 당신을 힘들게 할 때 어떻게 하시나요? (What do you do when someone makes things difficult for you?)"

Temas para diário

오늘 나를 가장 힘들게 했던 일은 무엇인가요? (What was the thing that made things hardest for me today?)

내가 누군가를 힘들게 했던 순간이 있었나요? (Was there a moment I made things hard for someone else?)

힘들게 하는 상황을 어떻게 극복할 수 있을까요? (How can I overcome situations that make things difficult?)

나를 힘들게 하는 사람에게 하고 싶은 말이 있나요? (Is there something I want to say to the person making things hard for me?)

과거에 나를 힘들게 했던 일들이 지금은 어떻게 느껴지나요? (How do the things that made life hard in the past feel now?)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It's risky. Saying '부장님이 저를 힘들게 해요' (You are making it hard for me) sounds accusatory. Instead, say '업무가 많아서 조금 힘듭니다' (I am struggling a bit because there is a lot of work).

They are almost identical. '만들다' (to make) is slightly more emphatic about the 'result' of the difficulty, while '하다' is the standard causative.

95% of the time, yes. However, you can say '힘들게 얻은 기회' (An opportunity obtained with great difficulty), but as a verb phrase 'A가 B를 힘들게 하다', it is almost always used to complain or apologize.

You can say '자신을 너무 힘들게 하지 마세요' (Don't make it too hard for yourself).

Yes. '강아지가 밤에 짖어서 나를 힘들게 해' (The puppy barks at night and makes it hard for me).

In slang, people might just say '힘들게 하네' without the object if it's obvious.

Usually, the object is a person or a living thing. You wouldn't say 'I made the rock difficult'.

Yes, '스트레스를 주다' (to give stress) is a direct loanword phrase. '힘들게 하다' is more native and covers a wider range of effort.

Yes, '상황이 일을 힘들게 했다' (The situation made the work difficult).

힘들게 했어요 (Polite) or 힘들게 했다 (Plain/Written).

Teste-se 190 perguntas

writing

Write 'Don't make me suffer' in casual Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write 'The bag makes me tired' in polite Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write 'Yesterday's work made me tired' in polite past tense.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write 'Don't make Mom suffer' in polite Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write 'I am sorry for making you suffer' in polite Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write 'Studying makes me mentally tired' in polite Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write 'Social pressure makes young people suffer' in formal Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write 'I want to forget the things that made me suffer' in polite Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write 'Uncertain future troubles modern people' in plain style.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write 'Adversity makes us suffer but makes us grow' in plain style.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Why are you making it hard for me?' (Casual)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'The heat makes us tired.' (Polite)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'I don't want to make my parents suffer.' (Polite)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'The computer breakdown is making it hard.' (Polite)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Love sometimes makes people suffer.' (Polite)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'My mistake made the team suffer.' (Polite)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'His silence only made me suffer more.' (Plain style)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Excessive competition troubles children.' (Polite)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Guilt might trouble her forever.' (Polite)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Perfectionism is an enemy that troubles oneself.' (Plain style)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Don't make me suffer' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'This work makes me tired' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Sorry for making it hard for you' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'The heat is making it hard for us' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Studying makes me mentally exhausted' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I think my mistake made you suffer' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I don't want to make my parents suffer anymore' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Social pressure is making life hard for young people' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'The uncertain future constantly troubles us' in Korean.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Perfectionism can be your worst enemy' (using the verb) in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Ask 'Why are you making it hard for me?' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Don't make Mom tired' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Yesterday's exercise made me tired' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'These shoes make my feet suffer' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Love makes people suffer sometimes' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Let's not make it hard for each other' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'His silence made me suffer more' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I don't want to succeed by making others suffer' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Guilt might trouble her for a long time' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Adversity makes us grow' (using the verb) in Korean.

Read this aloud:

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listening

What does '나를 힘들게 하지 마' mean?

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listening

Identify the object in '가방이 나를 힘들게 해요'.

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listening

Is '힘들게 했어요' past or present?

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What is causing difficulty in '더위가 우리를 힘들게 해요'?

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listening

What is the emotion in '힘들게 해서 미안해'?

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listening

Translate: '사랑이 나를 힘들게 해'.

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listening

What is '청년' in '사회적 압박이 청년들을 힘들게 해요'?

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Translate: '나를 힘들게 했던 기억들'.

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listening

What does '끊임없이' mean in a sentence?

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Translate: '죄책감이 그녀를 힘들게 한다'.

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listening

Who is suffering in '엄마를 힘들게 하지 마'?

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listening

What is the speaker feeling in '일이 나를 힘들게 하네요'?

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listening

Is '서로를 힘들게 하지 말자' a command or a suggestion?

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listening

What does '부당한 대우' mean?

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listening

What is '완벽주의'?

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/ 190 correct

Perfect score!

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