Dictionary — Entry No. 0787
힘이 들어워
himi-deureowo · expression
힘이 들어워
himi-deureowo
[hee-mee deu-ruh-wuh]
expressionintermediate
Meaning
Literally ‘strength/energy is heavy.’ Means ‘This is exhausting’ or ‘I’m exhausted.’ Conveys physical and emotional fatigue, a sense of being overwhelmed or drained by effort or circumstances.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Resonate deeply in fast-paced Korean society where work culture often valorizes ‘ganhanhada’ (enduring hardship). K-Dramas feature this phrase in emotional scenes showing characters’ breaking points. K-Pop idols famously say this about grueling schedules and intense preparation periods.
Example Sentences
요즘 일이 정말 힘이 들어워.
yojeum ili jeongmal himi deureowo.
Work has been really exhausting lately. (accumulated fatigue)
너무 힘이 들어서 쉬고 싶어.
neomu himi deureoseo swigo sipeo.
I’m so exhausted that I want to rest. (plea for relief)
이 일 정말 힘이 들어. 도와줄래?
i il jeongmal himi deuleora. dowajulrae?
This is really exhausting. Can you help? (honest vulnerability)
⚠️ Don’t use himi-deureowo when…
This phrase describes genuine exhaustion, not mild tiredness. Don’t use it casually or it loses emotional weight. If you’re overusing it, others may think you’re chronically overwhelmed.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Descendants of the Sun — Soldiers express ‘himi deureowo’ during life-or-death missions and emotional trauma
- K-Pop: TWICE — What is Love (behind-the-scenes showing members saying ‘himi deureowo’ during intense choreography practice)
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.