🚨

The extent of: -(으)ㄹ 지경이다

Keywords
지경이다
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Intermediate Grammar
🚨
TL;DR 🦄
  • -(으)ㄹ 지경이다 means to the point of / to such an extent that / almost at the stage of.
  • It describes an extreme state, often negative, serious, exhausted, painful, or overwhelming.
  • 죽을 지경이에요 = I’m at the point of dying / I feel like I’m dying.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and listen to 힘들어 죽을 지경이에요, 배가 고파 쓰러질 지경이에요, and 상황이 악화될 지경입니다. Hear how 지경이다 makes the condition sound extreme.
 

🌈 The Big Picture

지경 means a state, situation, condition, or point reached.
 
When Korean says -(으)ㄹ 지경이다, it means:
 
The situation has reached the point where something almost happens / could happen / feels about to happen.
 
Examples:
  • 너무 피곤해서 쓰러질 지경이에요.
      • [neo-mu pi-gon-hae-seo sseu-reo-jil ji-gyeo-ngi-e-yo]
      I’m so tired that I’m at the point of collapsing.
  • 배가 고파 죽을 지경이에요.
      • [bae-ga go-pa ju-geul ji-gyeo-ngi-e-yo]
      I’m so hungry I feel like I’m dying.
  • 스트레스가 심해서 울 지경이에요.
      • [seu-teu-re-seu-ga sim-hae-seo ul ji-gyeo-ngi-e-yo]
      The stress is so bad that I’m about to cry.
 
This pattern is usually dramatic. It is not just “a little tired” or “kind of hard.” It means the state has become intense.

🎨 Core Meaning

1. Extreme physical condition

  • 너무 더워서 쓰러질 지경이에요.
      • It is so hot that I’m at the point of collapsing.
 

2. Extreme emotion

  • 화가 나서 미칠 지경이에요.
      • I’m so angry I’m about to go crazy.
 

3. Extreme difficulty

  • 일이 너무 많아서 포기할 지경이에요.
      • There is so much work that I’m at the point of giving up.
 

4. Serious worsening situation

  • 문제가 더 커질 지경입니다.
      • The problem is at the point where it may become bigger.
 

5. Hyperbole

Sometimes it is exaggerated for effect.
  • 웃겨서 죽을 지경이에요.
      • It is so funny I’m dying.

🧩 Formation Rule

Verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 지경이다

Use a future/adnominal verb form before 지경.
 

Vowel-ending verb stem + ㄹ 지경이다

  • 죽다 → 죽을 지경이다 — to the point of dying
  • 쓰러지다 → 쓰러질 지경이다 — to the point of collapsing
  • 울다 → 울 지경이다 — to the point of crying
  • 포기하다 → 포기할 지경이다 — to the point of giving up
 

Consonant-ending verb stem + 을 지경이다

  • 먹다 → 먹을 지경이다
  • 참다 → 참을 지경이다
  • 앓다 → 앓을 지경이다
 

ㄹ-ending stems keep ㄹ

  • 울다 → 울 지경이다 — to the point of crying
  • 살다 → 살 지경이다 — to the point of living/surviving
 

Common frame

너무 A-아서/어서 V-(으)ㄹ 지경이다
 
  • 너무 피곤해서 쓰러질 지경이에요.
      • I’m so tired that I’m at the point of collapsing.
  • 너무 답답해서 미칠 지경이에요.
      • I’m so frustrated that I’m about to go crazy.

🛠️ How It Works in Real Sentences

1. Exhaustion

  • 밤을 새워서 쓰러질 지경이에요.
      • [ba-meul sae-wo-seo sseu-reo-jil ji-gyeo-ngi-e-yo]
      I stayed up all night, so I’m at the point of collapsing.
 

2. Hunger

  • 아침부터 아무것도 못 먹어서 죽을 지경이에요.
      • [a-chim-bu-teo a-mu-geot-to mot meo-geo-seo ju-geul ji-gyeo-ngi-e-yo]
      I haven’t eaten anything since morning, so I feel like I’m dying.
 

3. Frustration

  • 같은 실수가 계속돼서 미칠 지경이에요.
      • [ga-teun sil-su-ga gye-sok-dwae-seo mi-chil ji-gyeo-ngi-e-yo]
      The same mistake keeps happening, so I’m going crazy.
 

4. Sadness

  • 그 말을 듣고 울 지경이었어요.
      • [geu ma-reul deut-kko ul ji-gyeo-ngi-eo-sseo-yo]
      After hearing those words, I was about to cry.
 

5. Serious situation

  • 비용이 계속 늘어나서 사업을 중단할 지경입니다.
      • [bi-yo-ngi gye-sok neu-reo-na-seo sa-eo-beul jung-dan-hal ji-gyeong-im-ni-da]
      Costs keep increasing, so the business is at the point of being suspended.

🔍 Nuance: -(으)ㄹ 지경이다 vs Similar Degree Grammar

-(으)ㄹ 정도로

General “to the degree/extent that.” Neutral and flexible.
  • 울 정도로 감동했어요.
      • I was moved to the point of crying.
 

-(으)ㄹ 만큼

“As much as / enough to / to the extent that.” Often measures degree.
  • 참을 수 없을 만큼 아팠어요.
      • It hurt so much that I couldn’t bear it.
 

-(으)ㄹ 지경이다

Extreme state, often negative, dramatic, or near a limit.
  • 아파서 참을 수 없을 지경이었어요.
      • I was in so much pain that I was at the point of not being able to bear it.
 

-(으)ㄹ 뻔하다

“Almost did / nearly happened.” Focuses on an event that almost occurred.
  • 넘어질 뻔했어요.
      • I almost fell.
 

-(으)ㄹ 지경이다 vs -(으)ㄹ 뻔하다

  • 넘어질 뻔했어요. = I almost fell. Actual near-event.
  • 넘어질 지경이었어요. = I was at the point of falling. Extreme state.
 
Easy contrast:
  • neutral degree → 정도로
  • measured extent → 만큼
  • extreme state/limit → 지경이다
  • almost happened → 뻔하다

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson connects with
📏
To the point of / Enough to: -(으)ㄹ 정도로,
📏
To the point of: -(으)ㄹ 정도로,
📏
To the point of: -(으)ㄹ 만큼,
🔥
Intense Degree: -(으)ㄹ 대로, and
😮
Almost Happened: -(으)ㄹ 뻔하다. The key point: 지경이다 describes an extreme condition or limit state, not just ordinary degree.

🪞 Common Chunks

  • 죽을 지경이다 — to feel like dying
  • 쓰러질 지경이다 — to be at the point of collapsing
  • 미칠 지경이다 — to be about to go crazy
  • 울 지경이다 — to be about to cry
  • 포기할 지경이다 — to be at the point of giving up
  • 참을 수 없을 지경이다 — to be at the point of not being able to endure
  • 중단할 지경이다 — to be at the point of stopping/suspending

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ Using it for mild situations.
      • ✅ Use it for strong, extreme, near-limit states.
  • ❌ 죽는 지경이다 for this pattern.
      • ✅ 죽을 지경이다.
  • ❌ Confusing it with -(으)ㄹ 뻔하다.
      • ✅ 뻔하다 = almost happened; 지경이다 = extreme state.
  • ❌ Using it too casually in every sentence.
      • ✅ It sounds dramatic; use it when intensity matters.
  • ⚠️ It often sounds negative: exhausted, hungry, angry, worried, overwhelmed, or nearly unable to continue.
 
➡️ Bottom line: -(으)ㄹ 지경이다 means a situation has reached an extreme point. Use it for “I’m so tired I could collapse,” “so hungry I could die,” or “so frustrated I’m going crazy.”
 

Try this exercise

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄹ 지경이다 form.
1. 죽다 → 배가 고파 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
죽을 지경이에요.
2. 쓰러지다 → 너무 피곤해서 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
쓰러질 지경이에요.
3. 울다 → 그 말을 듣고 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
울 지경이었어요.
4. 미치다 → 너무 답답해서 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
미칠 지경이에요.
5. Fix: ❌ 죽는 지경이에요
Answer
✅ 죽을 지경이에요.
6. Translate: “I’m so tired I’m at the point of collapsing.”
Answer
너무 피곤해서 쓰러질 지경이에요.
7. Translate: “I was so angry I was going crazy.”
Answer
너무 화가 나서 미칠 지경이었어요.
8. Choose the stronger extreme-state grammar:
① -(으)ㄹ 지경이다 / ② -고
Answer
① -(으)ㄹ 지경이다.
9. -(으)ㄹ 지경이다 often feels:
Answer
Extreme, dramatic, negative, or near a limit.
10. -(으)ㄹ 뻔하다 focuses on:
Answer
An event that almost happened.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 지경 [ji-gyeong] → state/condition/point reached
  • 죽다 [juk-tta] → to die
  • 쓰러지다 [sseu-reo-ji-da] → to collapse
  • 울다 [ul-da] → to cry
  • 미치다 [mi-chi-da] → to go crazy
  • 답답하다 [dap-tta-pa-da] → to feel frustrated/stuffy
  • 참다 [cham-tta] → to endure
Tip 💡 If the sentence sounds like “I’m at my limit,” 지경이다 may fit.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below trains extreme degree, emotional intensity, and contrast with 정도로, 만큼, and 뻔하다.
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — The extent of: -(으)ㄹ 지경이다
 
Welcome to the extreme-state lab. 🚨 You’ll practice describing hunger, exhaustion, anger, stress, and serious situations that reach a limit.
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
 

Exercise 1 — Form Builder 🔧

A. 죽다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
죽을 지경이다.
B. 쓰러지다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
쓰러질 지경이다.
C. 울다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
울 지경이다.
D. 미치다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
미칠 지경이다.
E. 포기하다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
포기할 지경이다.
F. 참다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
참을 지경이다.
G. 중단하다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
중단할 지경이다.
H. 무너지다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
무너질 지경이다.
I. 못 견디다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
못 견딜 지경이다.
J. 숨이 막히다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
숨이 막힐 지경이다.
🔧
Form Box
Verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 지경이다
 
  • vowel stem → ㄹ 지경이다
  • consonant stem → 을 지경이다
  • ㄹ stem keeps ㄹ: 울 지경이다
 

Exercise 2 — Complete the Extreme State 🚨

A. 배가 너무 고파서 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
죽을 지경이에요.
B. 너무 피곤해서 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
쓰러질 지경이에요.
C. 스트레스가 심해서 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
미칠 지경이에요 / 울 지경이에요.
D. 일이 너무 많아서 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
포기할 지경이에요.
E. 너무 아파서 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
참을 수 없을 지경이에요.
F. 비용이 계속 늘어서 사업을 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
중단할 지경이에요.
G. 소음이 너무 심해서 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
못 견딜 지경이에요.
H. 걱정이 너무 많아서 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
잠을 못 잘 지경이에요.
I. 상황이 너무 나빠져서 회사가 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
무너질 지경이에요.
J. 회의가 너무 답답해서 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
숨이 막힐 지경이에요.
🚨
Extreme-state words
  • 피곤하다 → to be tired
  • 스트레스가 심하다 → stress is severe
  • 참을 수 없다 → cannot endure
  • 중단하다 → to suspend/stop
  • 못 견디다 → cannot bear
  • 무너지다 → to collapse/fall apart
 

Exercise 3 — Translate into Korean ✍️

A. “I’m so hungry I feel like I’m dying.”
Answer
배가 너무 고파서 죽을 지경이에요.
B. “I’m so tired I’m at the point of collapsing.”
Answer
너무 피곤해서 쓰러질 지경이에요.
C. “I was so angry I was going crazy.”
Answer
너무 화가 나서 미칠 지경이었어요.
D. “The work is so hard I’m at the point of giving up.”
Answer
일이 너무 힘들어서 포기할 지경이에요.
E. “The pain was so bad I couldn’t bear it.”
Answer
너무 아파서 참을 수 없을 지경이었어요.
F. “Costs increased so much that the project is at the point of stopping.”
Answer
비용이 너무 많이 늘어서 프로젝트를 중단할 지경이에요.
G. “I was so touched I was about to cry.”
Answer
너무 감동해서 울 지경이었어요.
H. “The situation worsened to the point of collapse.”
Answer
상황이 무너질 지경으로 악화되었어요.
I. “I was so frustrated I could not stand it.”
Answer
너무 답답해서 못 견딜 지경이었어요.
J. “I was so worried I couldn’t sleep.”
Answer
너무 걱정돼서 잠을 못 잘 지경이었어요.
✍️
Writing tip
The easiest frame is:
 
너무 A-아서/어서 V-(으)ㄹ 지경이에요.
 
Use it for strong emotional or physical limits.
 

Exercise 4 — Choose the Best Degree Grammar 🧭

A. Extreme exhaustion:
① 쓰러질 지경이에요 / ② 쓰러지고 좋아요
Answer
① 쓰러질 지경이에요.
B. Neutral degree:
① 울 정도로 감동했어요 / ② 울 지경으로 감동했어요
Answer
① is more neutral. ② is possible but more dramatic.
C. Almost fell:
① 넘어질 뻔했어요 / ② 넘어질 지경이에요
Answer
① if the event almost happened.
D. At the point of collapse:
① 쓰러질 지경이에요 / ② 쓰러질 만큼이에요
Answer
① is the natural extreme-state expression.
E. Measured extent:
① 참을 수 없을 만큼 아팠어요 / ② 참을 수 없을 지경 아팠어요
Answer
①. For 지경, say 참을 수 없을 지경이었어요.
F. “I nearly cried”:
① 울 뻔했어요 / ② 울 정도로
Answer
①.
G. “I was about to cry from stress”:
① 스트레스 때문에 울 지경이었어요 / ② 스트레스 때문에 울고 싶지 않아요
Answer
①.
H. -(으)ㄹ 지경이다 is usually:
Answer
Extreme, dramatic, and often negative.
I. -(으)ㄹ 뻔하다 is usually:
Answer
Almost happened / nearly did.
J. -(으)ㄹ 정도로 is usually:
Answer
General “to the degree/extent that.”
🧭
Decision Box
  • extreme state/limit → -(으)ㄹ 지경이다
  • almost happened → -(으)ㄹ 뻔하다
  • neutral degree → -(으)ㄹ 정도로
  • measured extent → -(으)ㄹ 만큼
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. Fix: ❌ 죽는 지경이에요
Answer
✅ 죽을 지경이에요.
B. Fix: ❌ 쓰러지는 지경이에요
Answer
✅ 쓰러질 지경이에요.
C. Fix: ❌ 울을 지경이에요
Answer
✅ 울 지경이에요.
D. Translate: “I was at the point of giving up.”
Answer
포기할 지경이었어요.
E. Translate: “I was so tired I could not stand it.”
Answer
너무 피곤해서 못 견딜 지경이었어요.
F. Choose extreme limit: ① 지경이다 / ② 그리고
Answer
① 지경이다.
G. Choose “almost happened”: ① 뻔하다 / ② 지경이다
Answer
① 뻔하다.
H. What kind of situations fit 지경이다?
Answer
Extreme, serious, dramatic, or near-limit situations.
I. What form comes before 지경이다?
Answer
Verb stem + -(으)ㄹ: 죽을, 쓰러질, 울, 포기할.
J. Is 지경이다 best for mild everyday degree?
Answer
No. Use it when the state is intense or near a limit.
🛡️
Final Check
  • 죽다 → 죽을 지경이다
  • 쓰러지다 → 쓰러질 지경이다
  • 울다 → 울 지경이다
  • 미치다 → 미칠 지경이다
  • 포기하다 → 포기할 지경이다
Final Boss Rule 💡 지경이다 is for an extreme “I’m at the point of...” state.
 
🎉 Extreme-degree grammar unlocked. Now you can describe Korean limit states with 죽을 지경이다, 쓰러질 지경이다, 울 지경이다, and 미칠 지경이다. 🚨✨