Let's learn how to use the V+(으)ㄹ 지경이다 Korean Grammar with some simple and easy-to-understand example sentences.
V + (으)ㄹ 지경이다 -“To the point of / Almost / On the verge of”
USE:
The expression (으)ㄹ 지경이다 is used when something is so extreme that it reaches the limit or verge of a certain situation.
It expresses that something has gone “to the point where…” or “almost to the extent that…” something could happen.
English equivalents:
“To the point of…”
“Almost…”
“On the verge of…”
“So (tired/sad/etc.) that…”
It’s usually used in negative or difficult situations, to express extreme emotion, condition, or circumstance.
CONJUGATION RULE
Attach (으)ㄹ 지경이다 to the verb stem.
Form:
Verb stem + (으)ㄹ 지경이다
After vowel or ㄹ-ending stems → -ㄹ 지경이다
→ 가다 → 갈 지경이다 (to the point of going)
→ 울다 → 울 지경이다 (to the point of crying)After consonant-ending stems → -을 지경이다
→ 죽다 → 죽을 지경이다 (to the point of dying)
→ 먹다 → 먹을 지경이다 (to the point of eating)
EXAMPLE SENTENCES:
너무 피곤해서 쓰러질 지경이에요.
→ I’m so tired that I could collapse.배가 고파서 죽을 지경이에요.
→ I’m so hungry I could die.일이 많아서 울 지경이에요.
→ I have so much work that I feel like crying.너무 아파서 말도 못 할 지경이에요.
→ I’m in so much pain that I can’t even talk.기침이 심해서 잠을 못 잘 지경이에요.
→ My cough is so bad that I can’t sleep.
Additional Notes
- (으)ㄹ 지경이다 is used for extreme or exaggerated emotions or conditions.
It’s stronger than just saying “아주” or “너무.” - It’s not used for ordinary or mild situations.
배가 고파서 밥을 먹을 지경이에요. → sounds unnatural.
배가 고파서 죽을 지경이에요. → more natural (extreme). - Common patterns:
- 죽을 지경이다 → “I’m dying (of hunger, tiredness, etc.)”
- 울 지경이다 → “I feel like crying.”
- 쓰러질 지경이다 → “I might collapse.”
- Often used in spoken language, especially to express frustration, exhaustion, or exaggeration.
