Nuance Dictionary / Grammar
ㄹ/을 지경이다 R/eul jigeong-ida
To be so physically shattered, exhausted, or in pain that you are literally on the verge of collapsing.
What does ㄹ/을 지경이다 mean?
ㄹ/을 지경이다 (R/eul jigeong-ida) means: To be so physically shattered, exhausted, or in pain that you are literally on the verge of collapsing.
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How it's actually used
- 야근을 너무 많이 해서 눈이 감길 지경이야.
Yageun-eul neomu mani haeseo nun-i gamgil jigeong-iya.
I've been doing so much overtime that my eyes are literally about to shut on their own.
💡 Shows how the term maps onto micro-exhaustion, like eyelids failing to stay open. - 등산하고 내려왔더니 다리가 풀려서 쓰러질 지경이에요.
Deungsanhago naeryowatdeoni dari-ga pullyeoseo sseureojil jigeong-ieyo.
I came down from the hike and my legs went so soft I'm about to collapse.
💡 Pairs with classic physical verbs like 풀리다 (to turn to jelly) to maximize the drama of exhaustion. - 너무 피곤해서 눈물 날 지경이야.
Neomu pigonhaeseo nunmul nal jigeong-iya.
I'm so exhausted I could literally burst into tears.
💡 Captures the exact psychological tipping point where pure physical fatigue morphs into emotional weeping.
Related words in Grammar
셈이다 Sem-ida설렁설렁 seolleong-seolleong격조사 gyeok-jo-sa보조사 bo-jo-sa주제 (화제) ju-je (hwa-je)