What does it mean word for word?
The noun 퇴사 means "leaving a company," composed of 퇴 (to leave or retreat) and 사 (company, work or office). The base verb is 퇴사하다, where 하다 means "to do."
Which one should you use?
The term 퇴사 is specific to leaving a company or organization, whereas 그만두다 is a general verb used for quitting or stopping anything.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For highly professional or respectful settings, you can use the formal version 퇴사했습니다 or more specific formal phrases like 사직서를 제출합니다 (I am submitting my resignation letter) or 저는 퇴사를 결정했습니다 (I have decided to resign). In casual settings with friends or peers, you can use informal expressions such as 나 직장 그만둘래 (I'm going to quit my job), 난 다음주부터 안 할 거야 (I'm not going to work from next week) or the colloquial 나 회사 그만뒀어 (I quit the company).
How does it change in a sentence?
The base verb is 퇴사하다. The form 퇴사했습니다 is the formal, polite version of 퇴사했어요, suitable for professional environments.
How do you pronounce it?
toesahaesseoyo
Did you know?
- The term 퇴사 uses the character 퇴 which can also mean 'retreat' in a military context, giving the act of leaving a job a subtle connotation of withdrawing from a position or field.
- While 퇴사했어요 is the standard way to say you quit, many employees use the euphemism 쉬기로 했어요, which means 'I decided to take a break', to soften the news of leaving.
- The phrase 퇴사 is commonly used in the title of 'resignation vlogs' on YouTube, a popular genre where Koreans document the emotional process of leaving a high-pressure corporate environment.
Examples in context
- 저 드디어 퇴사했어요.jeo deudieo toesa-haesseoyo.I finally quit my job.
- 지난달에 퇴사했어요.jinandal-e toesa-haesseoyo.I quit my job last month.
- 너무 힘들어서 퇴사했어요.neomu himdeureoseo toesa-haesseoyo.It was too hard, so I quit my job.
Example conversation
Two friends meeting for coffee after a long time.
- 지은 Ji-eun지은 씨, 요즘 어떻게 지내요?Ji-eun ssi, yo-jeum eo-tteo-ke ji-nae-yo?Ji-eun, how have you been lately?
- 민준 Min-jun저 사실 얼마 전에 퇴사했어요.jeo sa-sil eol-ma jeon-e toe-sa-hae-sseo-yo.Actually, I quit my job a little while ago.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말요? 이제 좀 쉬실 건가요?jeong-mal-yo? i-je jom swi-sil geon-ga-yo?Really? Are you going to rest for a while now?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 당분간은 푹 쉬려고요.ne, dang-bun-gan-eun puk swi-ryeo-go-yo.Yes, I plan to get some good rest for the time being.
