Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Weak" in Korean: 약하다
약하다yakhada
Weak in Korean is 약하다 (yakhada). 약하다 means weak; 약 is also a separate medicine noun, so the ending and context matter.
Weak: an everyday statement
신호가 약해요.sinhoga yakaeyo.
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How to pronounce 약하다
Say it
yakhada
/jakʰata/
Read 약하다 as yakhada. The spoken form 약해요 is yakaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Weak" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 약하다yakhada | Weak Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 약해요yakaeyo | Weak (polite present) Use 약해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 약해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 약했어요yakaesseoyo | Weak (polite past) Use 약했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 약했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 약하다 in real life
- 1Weak: an everyday statement
신호가 약해요.
sinhoga yakaeyo.
The signal is weak.
약해요 is the present form of 약하다.
- 2Weak: a different situation
어제는 바람이 약했어요.
eojeneun barami yakaesseoyo.
The wind was weak yesterday.
약했어요 is the past form of 약하다.
- 3Weak: a question or request
이 부분이 약해요?
i bubuni yakaeyo?
Is this part weak?
약해요 is the present form of 약하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 약하다
Incorrect: 약하다.
Correct: 약해요.
When practicing weak, 약하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 약해요.
Incorrect: 어제 약해요.
Correct: 어제 약했어요.
When practicing weak, for a completed event yesterday, use 약했어요; the present form 약해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
약하다 means weak; 약 is also a separate medicine noun, so the ending and context matter. 약해요 is the polite conversational form of 약하다; 약했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 약하다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
신호가 약해요.
sinhoga yakaeyo.
The signal is weak.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제는 바람이 약했어요.
eojeneun barami yakaesseoyo.
The wind was weak yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Weak" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Weak" in Korean
How do I use 약하다 in polite speech?
약해요 is the polite conversational form of 약하다; 약했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 약하다 in a past-tense sentence?
약했어요 is the polite past form. 약하다 means weak; 약 is also a separate medicine noun, so the ending and context matter.
What does 약해요 mean here?
약해요 is used for weak. For example, 신호가 약해요. means “The signal is weak.”
What should I remember about 약하다?
약하다 means weak; 약 is also a separate medicine noun, so the ending and context matter.
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