축
limply, drooping without support
Meaning
축 — a mimetic adverb depicting something hanging down, sagging or drooping without support. It evokes the visible shape of the droop; it is not a general-purpose word for “completely.”
Why this form?
힘없이 — “without strength,” “weakly”: describes a lack of energy in a person or an action, whether or not anything visibly droops; 축 focuses on a limp, hanging or sagging appearance, especially with 처지다 or 늘어지다.
Natural usage
Common pairings: 축 늘어지다 (“hang limply, sag”), 축 처지다 (“droop, slump”). The English rendering depends on what droops: shoulders, arms, branches or the body. This is a visual, mimetic description, not merely a degree adverb.
Forms not to confuse
힘없이
그는 힘없이 고개를 숙였다. — He lowered his head weakly.
Examples
지민은 축 늘어진 채 바닥에 누워 있다. — Jimin lies on the floor, his body limp and sagging.
어깨가 축 처졌어요. — His shoulders slumped.
인형의 팔이 축 늘어졌다. — The doll's arms hung limply.