Korean Dictionary
How to say "Hit Rock Bottom" in Korean
“Hit Rock Bottom” in Korean is 바닥을 치다 (pronounced "Badageul Chida").
바닥을 치다
Badageul Chida
Usage & Context
Hitting rock bottom means reaching the lowest point possible in a situation. This phrase resonates in Korean culture where perseverance after hardship is valued.
Example Sentence
사업이 완전히 실패하면서 바닥을 쳤어요.
The business completely failed and hit rock bottom.
How to use 바닥을 치다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Hit Rock Bottom” is 바닥을 치다, romanized as Badageul Chida.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 바닥을 치다.
Pronunciation Guide
For 바닥을 (Ba-da-geul), 'Ba' is like 'bah' in 'bah-bah,' 'dak' like 'duck' but with a softer 'k' sound, and 'eul' like 'eul' in 'Seoul.' For 치다 (Chi-da), 'Chi' is like 'chee' in 'cheese,' and 'da' like 'dah' in 'dah-ling.' The stress is on '치.'
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
바닥을 쳤습니다
Badageul Chyeosseumnida
Past tense, formal polite form of 'to hit rock bottom'.
Casual (반말)
바닥을 쳤어
Badageul Chyeosseo
Past tense, casual form of 'to hit rock bottom'.
More Example Sentences
Describing someone's comeback story after a major setback.
그는 사업 실패로 모든 것을 잃고 바닥을 쳤지만, 다시 일어섰어요.
He lost everything due to business failure and hit rock bottom, but he rose again.
A philosophical reflection on life experiences and personal growth.
인생에서 바닥을 쳐본 사람만이 진정한 겸손을 알 수 있다고들 하죠.
They say only those who have hit rock bottom in life can truly understand humility.
Discussing financial news or market analysis.
주식 시장이 바닥을 치고 이제는 회복될 일만 남았다고 전문가들이 말해요.
Experts say the stock market has hit rock bottom and now only recovery remains.
Cultural Context
The phrase '바닥을 치다' is widely understood and used in Korea to describe reaching the lowest point, whether in personal life, career, or even economic situations. It often carries a connotation of hope, as hitting rock bottom implies that things can only get better from there. This aligns with the Korean cultural emphasis on resilience and overcoming adversity (극복), a common theme in K-dramas where protagonists often face extreme hardships before finding success.
Editorial note
We review entries like 바닥을 치다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
인생의 바닥을 치다
To hit rock bottom in life
주가가 바닥을 치다
Stock prices hit rock bottom
경기가 바닥을 치다
The economy hits rock bottom
Related Expressions
나락으로 떨어지다
Narakkeuro Tteoreojida
To fall into an abyss/hit rock bottom
최악의 상황
Choeagui Sanghwang
Worst situation
벼랑 끝에 서다
Byeorang Kkeute Seoda
To stand on the edge of a cliff (at a critical point)
승승장구하다
Seungseungjangguhada
To go from strength to strength/be on a roll (antonym)
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
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