Easy Korean - Level 9, Unit 18: To the point of... (-(으)ㄹ 지경이다)

We learned -(으)ㄹ 정도로 (to the point where/extent that) in Unit 9.

In this unit, we learn a very similar expression: -(으)ㄹ 지경이다. It also means "to the point of..." or "on the verge of...", but it is used almost exclusively for negative, extreme, or exhausting situations.

Structure Breakdown

• 지경 (地境) = boundary / limit / situation Literally: "I am at the boundary of [Action]."

How to Conjugate

1. Vowel stem: Add -ㄹ 지경이다 * 죽다 (consonant) -> 쓰러지다 -> 쓰러질 지경이다 (On the verge of collapsing) * 미치다 -> 미칠 지경이다 (On the verge of going crazy)

2. Consonant stem: Add -을 지경이다 * 죽다 -> 죽을 지경이다 (To the point of dying) * 울다 (ㄹ stem) -> 울 지경이다 (On the verge of crying)

-을 정도로 vs. -을 지경이다

• -(으)ㄹ 정도로: Can be used for positive or negative things. (e.g., He is so handsome to the point I was surprised = 놀랄 정도로 잘생겼어요).
• -(으)ㄹ 지경이다: Used mostly for complaining or emphasizing how hard, painful, or annoying something is. (e.g., I'm so busy I'm on the verge of dying = 바빠서 죽을 지경이에요).

Common Combinations

Koreans use this structure a lot with specific extreme verbs: * 죽을 지경이다 (to the point of dying) * 미칠 지경이다 (to the point of going crazy) * 울 지경이다 (on the verge of crying)

Example Sentences

1. 요즘 스트레스가 많아서 아주 미칠 지경이에요. (I have so much stress these days that I am on the verge of going crazy.)
2. 배가 너무 고파서 죽을 지경입니다. (I am so hungry to the point of dying.)
3. 다리가 아파서 쓰러질 지경이었어요. (My legs hurt so much that I was on the verge of collapsing.)