Nuance Dictionary / Grit, Survival, & Hardship
이(를) 악물다 i-reul-ang-mul-da
To grit one's teeth in fierce determination, or to endure severe pain
What does 이(를) 악물다 mean?
이(를) 악물다 (i-reul-ang-mul-da) means: To grit one's teeth in fierce determination, or to endure severe pain.
Swallowing your tears, anger, or pain and pushing forward anyway.
🎙️ 이를 악물다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [이르 랑물다]로 소리나요 (비음화, 연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 이번 시험에는 꼭 합격하겠다고 이를 악물고 공부만 했다.
Ibeon siheom-eneun kkok hapgyeok-hagetdago ireul akmulgo gongbuman haetda.
I gritted my teeth and studied hard, determined to pass this exam.
💡 Indicates fierce determination and focus. - 서러운 마음이 들었지만 눈물을 삼키며 이를 악물고 버텼다.
Seoreoun ma-eum-i deureotjiman nunmul-eul samkimyeo ireul akmulgo beotyeotda.
I felt so mistreated, but I swallowed my tears, gritted my teeth, and endured it.
💡 Used when enduring emotional or physical hardship without giving up. - 실패를 딛고 일어서기 위해 그는 이를 악물고 다시 연습을 시작했다.
silpaereul ditgo ireoseogi wihae geureun ireul akmulgo dasi yeonseubeul sijakaetda.
Determined to rise after failure, he gritted his teeth and started practicing again.
💡 Implies fierce mental endurance through extreme adversity.
Related words in Grit, Survival, & Hardship
산전수전(다 겪다) san-jeon-su-jeon요령(을 피우다) yo-ryeong악착같이 ak-chak-ga-chi기(를) 쓰다 gi-reul-sseu-da고군분투(하다) go-gun-bun-tu