Level 6

약해지다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '약해지다' means 'to become weak' or 'to weaken.' It is often used to describe physical strength, health, willpower, or abstract qualities like immunity or influence that diminish over time or due to certain conditions.

Common Contexts

  • Physical condition: describing someone’s body or health becoming weaker.
  • Psychological or emotional state: when willpower or determination lessens.
  • Abstract qualities: such as immunity, influence, or intensity becoming reduced.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 체력이 약해지다 (physical strength becomes weak)
  • 면역력이 약해지다 (immunity weakens)
  • 의지가 약해지다 (willpower weakens)

These collocations are common and help specify what kind of weakness is being described.

Register and Politeness

'약해지다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is a descriptive verb and does not carry strong emotional connotations by itself.

Common Learner Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse '약해지다' with '약하다' (to be weak). Remember, '약해지다' is a change of state (to become weak), while '약하다' describes a current state (to be weak). For example, '그는 약하다' means 'He is weak,' but '그는 약해졌다' means 'He became weak.'

Example Sentences

그는 나이가 들면서 체력이 점점 약해졌다.

Geuneun naiga deulmyeonseo cheryeogi jeomjeom yakhaejyeotda.

He gradually became weaker physically as he got older.

스트레스를 받으면 면역력이 약해질 수 있다.

Seuteureseureul badeumyeon myeonyukryeogi yakhaejil su itda.

If you get stressed, your immune system can become weaker.

그의 의지가 약해져서 포기하고 말았다.

Geuui uijiga yakhaejyeoseo pogihago maratda.

His will became weak, so he ended up giving up.