Phrase in 30 Seconds
To end a relationship or stop a habit permanently.
- Means: To sever ties or stop engaging with someone or something.
- Used in: Ending toxic friendships, quitting bad habits, or distancing from groups.
- Don't confuse: It is not about physical injury; it is purely metaphorical.
شرح بمستواك:
المعنى
To sever a relationship or stop engaging in a particular activity.
خلفية ثقافية
In Korea, relationships are often seen as 'threads' of fate. Cutting them is a serious social act. Similar to Korea, the concept of 'En' (fate) is central. Cutting ties is a major life decision. The metaphor of 'cutting ties' or 'burning bridges' is common, emphasizing individual choice. In professional settings, '손을 끊다' is very direct. Use '계약을 종료하다' for a softer, more professional tone.
Use with '-와/과'
Always specify who you are cutting ties with using '와/과'.
Don't use for minor issues
It's a strong phrase. Only use it when you really mean it.
Use with '-와/과'
Always specify who you are cutting ties with using '와/과'.
Don't use for minor issues
It's a strong phrase. Only use it when you really mean it.
Modern slang
If you are talking to friends, '손절하다' is much more common now.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
그는 나쁜 친구들과 ______.
The idiom for ending a relationship is '손을 끊다'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct sentence.
The idiom requires the particle '-와/과' to indicate what you are cutting ties with.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 그 사람 아직도 만나? B: 아니, 이제 그 사람과 ______.
The context implies ending a relationship, so '손을 끊었어' is correct.
Match the situation to the correct usage.
You want to tell a friend you stopped smoking.
Cutting ties with a habit uses '손을 끊다'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
5 تمارين그는 나쁜 친구들과 ______.
The idiom for ending a relationship is '손을 끊다'.
Choose the correct sentence.
The idiom requires the particle '-와/과' to indicate what you are cutting ties with.
A: 그 사람 아직도 만나? B: 아니, 이제 그 사람과 ______.
The context implies ending a relationship, so '손을 끊었어' is correct.
You want to tell a friend you stopped smoking.
Cutting ties with a habit uses '손을 끊다'.
🎉 النتيجة: /5
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, but it's informal. Use '계약을 종료하다' for business.
It's direct, so it can be perceived as rude if used in the wrong context.
'손절하다' is slang and more common in social media.
No, that would be very strange.
Rarely. Use '관계를 단절하다' instead.
No, it is purely metaphorical.
Yes, if you want to emphasize that you are quitting it for good.
Use '거리를 두다' instead.
Yes, especially in dramas about conflict.
It follows standard verb conjugation rules.
عبارات ذات صلة
손절하다
specialized formTo cut losses (slang for ending relationships).
인연을 끊다
synonymTo cut ties (fate).
관계를 정리하다
similarTo organize/end a relationship.
등을 돌리다
similarTo turn one's back on someone.
أين تستخدمها
Ending a toxic friendship
A: 그 친구랑 아직도 연락해?
B: 아니, 이제 그 친구와는 손을 끊었어.
Quitting a bad habit
A: 담배는 아직 피워?
B: 아니, 완전히 손을 끊었어.
Business breakup
Manager: 저 업체와는 더 이상 협력하지 않겠습니다.
Assistant: 네, 그럼 그곳과 손을 끊는 것으로 처리하겠습니다.
Giving advice
A: 그 사람이 자꾸 돈을 빌려달라고 해.
B: 그럼 빨리 그 사람과 손을 끊는 게 좋겠어.
Social media drama
A: 걔랑 왜 싸웠어?
B: 그냥 손절했어. 손을 끊기로 했거든.
Reflecting on the past
A: 옛날 친구들 다 연락해?
B: 아니, 몇몇과는 손을 끊고 지내.
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Imagine a pair of scissors cutting a thick rope tied to a person you don't like. That rope is your 'hand' connection.
ربط بصري
A person holding a rope attached to a toxic friend, then using scissors to snip it and walking away freely.
Rhyme
손을 끊어, 마음을 열어 (Cut the ties, open your heart).
Story
Min-su had a friend who always borrowed money. One day, Min-su realized he was being used. He looked at his friend, said 'I'm done,' and walked away. He had finally cut his ties (손을 끊었다).
In Other Languages
English: 'Cut ties' or 'Burn bridges'. Spanish: 'Cortar lazos'. Both use the same metaphor of cutting a physical connection.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Write down three things or people you want to 'cut ties' with in your life, even if just for practice.
Review in 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days.
النطق
Standard pronunciation.
The '끊' has a tense 'ㄲ' sound.
طيف الرسمية
그 업체와의 관계를 단절하기로 하였습니다. (Ending a business or personal relationship)
그 업체와 손을 끊기로 했습니다. (Ending a business or personal relationship)
걔랑 손 끊었어. (Ending a business or personal relationship)
걔랑 손절함. (Ending a business or personal relationship)
The phrase originates from the metaphorical idea that relationships are bonds or threads held in the hand. To 'cut' the hand is to release that bond.
حقيقة ممتعة
The modern slang '손절하다' comes from the stock market term '손절매' (stop-loss), meaning to sell a stock to prevent further losses.
ملاحظات ثقافية
In Korea, relationships are often seen as 'threads' of fate. Cutting them is a serious social act.
“그와는 인연을 끊고 살아요.”
Similar to Korea, the concept of 'En' (fate) is central. Cutting ties is a major life decision.
“縁を切る (En o kiru).”
The metaphor of 'cutting ties' or 'burning bridges' is common, emphasizing individual choice.
“I'm cutting ties with him.”
In professional settings, '손을 끊다' is very direct. Use '계약을 종료하다' for a softer, more professional tone.
“계약을 종료하기로 했습니다.”
بدايات محادثة
최근에 손을 끊고 싶은 습관이 있나요?
나쁜 친구와 손을 끊는 것이 왜 중요할까요?
손을 끊다와 손절하다의 차이는 무엇일까요?
관계를 정리하는 것과 손을 끊는 것 중 무엇이 더 어렵나요?
أخطاء شائعة
손을 멈추다
손을 끊다
L1 Interference
관계를 끊다
손을 끊다
L1 Interference
손을 자르다
손을 끊다
L1 Interference
손을 끊어버리다
손을 끊다
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Cortar lazos
None; the usage is nearly identical.
Couper les ponts
French focuses on the 'bridge' (the path to the person), while Korean focuses on the 'hand' (the connection).
Alle Brücken hinter sich abbrechen
German is more about the inability to return, while Korean is about the act of severing the bond.
縁を切る (En o kiru)
Japanese focuses on the metaphysical 'fate', while Korean focuses on the physical 'hand'.
قطع العلاقات (Qata' al-'alaqat)
It is less of an 'idiom' and more of a standard phrase in Arabic.
断绝关系 (Duànjué guānxì)
It is a formal, standard expression rather than a colorful idiom.
손절하다
It is more informal and modern than the original idiom.
Cortar relações
None; it is a direct equivalent.
Spotted in the Real World
“너랑은 이제 손을 끊을 거야.”
A character ending a toxic friendship.
سهل الخلط
Learners often mix this with '손을 끊다'.
'손을 씻다' means to wash one's hands (literally) or to quit a life of crime (metaphorically).
Learners think this means to end a relationship.
'손을 떼다' means to take one's hands off a project or work, not necessarily a person.
الأسئلة الشائعة (10)
Yes, but it's informal. Use '계약을 종료하다' for business.
usage contextsIt's direct, so it can be perceived as rude if used in the wrong context.
usage contexts'손절하다' is slang and more common in social media.
comparisonsNo, that would be very strange.
basic understandingRarely. Use '관계를 단절하다' instead.
grammar mechanicsNo, it is purely metaphorical.
basic understandingYes, if you want to emphasize that you are quitting it for good.
usage contextsUse '거리를 두다' instead.
common mistakesYes, especially in dramas about conflict.
practical tipsIt follows standard verb conjugation rules.
grammar mechanics
