자퇴하다
jatweohada
To drop out in Korean is 자퇴하다 (jatweohada).
The term 자퇴하다 is used specifically when someone drops out of an educational institution, such as a school or a university.
Meaning: to prematurely leave an occasion or event (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 자퇴하다 means to permanently drop out, 휴학하다 is used when a student temporarily pauses their studies. If you are referring to withdrawing from an organization or association rather than a school, use the formal term 탈퇴하다 or use 중퇴하다 as a formal phrase for withdrawing from an educational program midway.
How do you pronounce it?
jatweohada
Did you know?
- In modern Korean slang, instead of using formal terms for dropping out of a group, people might say they '탈덕' (tal-deok), which specifically means 'dropping out' of being a fan of a celebrity or idol.
- If a student is 'dropping out' because they failed or were kicked out, Koreans would use 제적당하다 instead of 자퇴하다, as the latter implies a voluntary decision.
- In Korea, the term 자퇴 (dropping out) is often viewed with much more social weight and stigma than the English term 'dropping out', frequently implying a significant disruption to one's planned life path.
Examples in context
- 나는 이번 학기에 그만둘 거야.I'm going to drop out this semester.
