자퇴 in 30 Seconds
- Jatoe (자퇴) means voluntarily dropping out of school, a decision made by the student rather than the institution.
- It is different from 'expulsion' (퇴학), which is forced, and 'leave of absence' (휴학), which is temporary.
- The word is commonly used in Korean media and news to discuss educational pressure and non-traditional career paths.
- Grammatically, it is a noun that often combines with '하다' to form the verb 'to drop out' (자퇴하다).
The Korean word 자퇴 (Jatoe) is a noun that translates to 'voluntary withdrawal from school' or 'dropping out.' It is composed of two Hanja characters: 自 (자) meaning 'self' and 退 (퇴) meaning 'to retreat' or 'to withdraw.' Unlike being expelled, which is a forced action by the institution, 자퇴 is a decision made by the student or their legal guardians. This distinction is crucial in Korean society, where education carries significant weight. When someone says they 'did jatoe,' they are indicating a personal choice to leave the formal education system before completion. This could happen at various levels, from middle school and high school to university. In the past, this word carried a heavy social stigma, often associated with rebellion or failure. However, in modern South Korea, the narrative is slowly shifting. Some students choose to 자퇴 to focus on specialized talents, prepare for the GED (Geomjeong-gosi), or pursue entrepreneurial ventures that the traditional school system might hinder.
- Noun Form
- 자퇴 (Jatoe) - The act of dropping out.
- Verb Form
- 자퇴하다 (Jatoehada) - To voluntarily drop out of school.
그는 자신의 꿈을 위해 고등학교를 자퇴하기로 결정했습니다. (He decided to drop out of high school for his dreams.)
In a typical conversation, you might hear this word when discussing a friend's sudden absence from class or when a celebrity explains their career path. Because the decision is 'voluntary,' it implies a level of agency. However, it is still a sensitive topic. Parents often view 자퇴 with great concern because of the competitive nature of the Korean job market, which heavily relies on university degrees. Therefore, using this word requires an understanding of the gravity it holds. It is not just about leaving a building; it is about stepping off a standardized societal path. In university contexts, 자퇴 is often compared to 휴학 (leave of absence), where the latter is temporary and the former is permanent. Many students consider 자퇴 if they feel their major does not suit them or if they want to transfer to a different university via the 'Pyun-ip' (transfer) process or by retaking the Suneung (CSAT).
Using 자퇴 correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement as a noun and its transformation into a verb. As a noun, it often appears with verbs like '하다' (to do), '결심하다' (to decide), or '고민하다' (to worry/deliberate). For instance, '자퇴를 하다' is the most standard way to say 'to drop out.' If you are talking about the document required for this process, you would use '자퇴서' (withdrawal form). The phrase '자퇴서를 제출하다' (to submit a withdrawal form) is common in administrative contexts. When describing the person who has dropped out, you add the suffix '-생' (student) to get '자퇴생.' This term is used to identify individuals who are no longer enrolled in the formal system. It is important to note that 자퇴 is specifically for educational institutions. You would not use it for quitting a job; for that, you use '사직' or '퇴사.'
- Common Object
- 자퇴를 결심하다 (To decide to drop out)
- Administrative Phrase
- 자퇴 처리가 되다 (To have one's withdrawal processed)
부모님의 반대에도 불구하고 그는 결국 자퇴를 선택했습니다. (Despite his parents' opposition, he eventually chose to drop out.)
In terms of level-appropriate usage, an A2 learner should focus on the basic '자퇴하다' structure. For example, '저는 대학교를 자퇴했어요' (I dropped out of university). As you move to B1 and B2 levels, you can start using more complex structures like '자퇴할 수밖에 없었다' (had no choice but to drop out) or '자퇴를 고려 중이다' (am considering dropping out). The word is also frequently used in the passive sense when describing the status of a student's record: '그는 현재 자퇴 상태입니다' (He is currently in a dropped-out status). When discussing the reasons behind the action, you might use '사유' (reason), as in '자퇴 사유를 작성해 주세요' (Please write the reason for withdrawal). This is a standard requirement on school forms. Understanding these collocations helps you sound more natural and professional when discussing educational topics in Korean.
You will encounter the word 자퇴 in several distinct contexts in South Korea. First and foremost is in the media, specifically in K-Dramas and movies. School-based dramas often feature a protagonist who faces extreme pressure or bullying and considers 자퇴 as an escape. Alternatively, a 'genius' character might 자퇴 to pursue a startup or music career, reflecting a romanticized view of the 'dropout success story' similar to Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. Secondly, in the news, you will see headlines about '자퇴생 비율' (the rate of dropout students) increasing in prestigious universities (the SKY universities), often because students want to retake exams to enter medical school. This is a major social issue in Korea, highlighting the intense competition and the singular focus on high-status professions.
- News Context
- 최근 명문대 자퇴생이 급증하고 있습니다. (Recently, the number of dropouts from prestigious universities is surging.)
- Drama Dialogue
- 나 학교 자퇴하고 음악 할 거야. (I'm going to drop out of school and do music.)
유명 연예인 중에도 자퇴 후 검정고시를 치른 사람이 많습니다. (Among famous celebrities, there are many who took the GED after dropping out.)
Thirdly, you will hear it in academic counseling and university administration. If a student is struggling with mental health or financial issues, they might visit the 'Hak-gwa Samushil' (department office) to ask about the '자퇴 절차' (withdrawal procedure). Here, the word is used in a very dry, administrative sense. Lastly, in online communities like Everytime (a popular university app) or YouTube, you will find '자퇴 브이로그' (dropout vlogs). These videos document the process of submitting the papers and the life that follows, often focusing on the feeling of freedom or the anxiety of being 'outside the system.' Hearing the word in these varied contexts—from tragic drama plots to bureaucratic forms and modern vlogs—gives you a full picture of its social weight and practical application.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 자퇴 (voluntary withdrawal) with 퇴학 (expulsion). While both result in the student leaving school, the 'who' and 'why' are completely different. If you say someone '자퇴당했다' (was dropped out), it is grammatically and logically awkward because '자퇴' is inherently a self-initiated action. Instead, you should use '퇴학당했다' (was expelled) if the school forced them out. Another common error is using 자퇴 when you actually mean 휴학 (leave of absence). In Korea, many students take a year or two off university to study English abroad, do an internship, or simply rest. This is '휴학,' and the student remains enrolled. If you say you '자퇴' when you only mean to take a break, people will be very shocked, as it implies you are never coming back.
- Incorrect Usage
- 회사에서 자퇴했어요. (I dropped out of the company.) - Use '퇴사' or '사직'.
- Confusion with Expulsion
- 그는 싸움 때문에 자퇴했어요. (He dropped out because of a fight.) - Usually '퇴학' if the school initiated it.
주의: 자퇴는 본인의 의사로 하는 것입니다. (Caution: Jatoe is done by one's own will.)
Learners also sometimes struggle with the particle usage. Since 자퇴 is a noun, you can use the object particle '를' (자퇴를 하다), but in casual speech, it is often dropped (자퇴하다). However, you should never say '자퇴를 가다' (to go to dropout), which is a literal translation of some English phrases but doesn't work in Korean. Additionally, be careful with the word '탈퇴' (withdrawal/leaving a group). While '자퇴' is only for schools, '탈퇴' is used for leaving a club, a website, or a political party. If you say you '탈퇴' from a university, it sounds like you are leaving a small social club within the university rather than the academic institution itself. Correcting these nuances will prevent misunderstandings in serious academic or personal discussions.
To truly master the concept of 자퇴, it is helpful to compare it with other terms related to leaving or pausing education. The most common alternative is 휴학 (leave of absence). This is a temporary pause. For example, '군대 때문에 휴학해요' (I am taking a leave of absence because of the military). Another related term is 제적 (removal from the register). This usually happens automatically if a student fails to register for classes or pay tuition for too long. Unlike 자퇴, which is a proactive application, '제적' is an administrative consequence. Then there is 퇴학 (expulsion), which is disciplinary. If a student commits a serious crime or violates school rules, they are '퇴학당하다' (expelled).
- 자퇴 vs 휴학
- 자퇴 is permanent; 휴학 is temporary.
- 자퇴 vs 제적
- 자퇴 is a choice; 제적 is often an administrative result of inaction.
- 자퇴 vs 퇴학
- 자퇴 is voluntary; 퇴학 is a punishment.
그는 자퇴 대신 휴학을 권유받았습니다. (He was advised to take a leave of absence instead of dropping out.)
For broader contexts, you might use '학업 중단' (discontinuation of studies). This is a more formal, academic term used in statistics and research. It encompasses all reasons why a student might stop their education. In casual speech, people often say '학교를 그만두다' (to quit school). This is the most versatile phrase and can be used in almost any situation where someone leaves school. However, '자퇴' remains the most precise term for the voluntary, formal act. If you are talking about leaving a specific program or course (rather than the whole school), you might use '수강 철회' (course withdrawal/drop). Understanding these distinctions ensures that you can navigate the complex Korean educational landscape without causing confusion or offense.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The character '退' is the same one used in '후퇴' (military retreat), giving the word a sense of 'stepping back' from a path.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing '퇴' as 'toy' instead of 't-weh'.
- Confusing the unaspirated '자' with a strong 'cha'.
- Merging the two syllables into one sound.
- Mispronouncing the 't' as a soft 'd'.
- Over-emphasizing the 'j' sound.
Difficulty Rating
The word itself is simple, but it often appears in complex sentences about education.
Using the correct particles and formal verbs like '제출하다' can be tricky.
Pronunciation is straightforward once you master the 't-weh' sound.
Can be confused with '사퇴' or '조퇴' in fast speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun + -하다 (Verb formation)
자퇴 + 하다 = 자퇴하다
Noun + -생 (Person suffix)
자퇴 + 생 = 자퇴생
Noun + -서 (Document suffix)
자퇴 + 서 = 자퇴서
-기로 결정하다 (Decision making)
학교를 자퇴하기로 결정했다.
- 때문에 (Reasoning)
건강 때문에 자퇴를 했다.
Examples by Level
저는 학교를 자퇴해요.
I drop out of school.
Simple present tense of 자퇴하다.
그는 자퇴를 했어요.
He dropped out.
Past tense with the object particle.
자퇴는 슬퍼요.
Dropping out is sad.
Noun used as a subject.
친구는 왜 자퇴해요?
Why does your friend drop out?
Interrogative sentence.
학교 자퇴하지 마세요.
Please don't drop out of school.
Negative imperative -지 마세요.
저는 자퇴생이에요.
I am a dropout student.
Noun + -이에요 (to be).
자퇴하고 싶어요.
I want to drop out.
-고 싶다 (want to).
누가 자퇴했어요?
Who dropped out?
Subject marker '가' with '누구'.
작년에 대학교를 자퇴했습니다.
I dropped out of university last year.
Formal polite past tense.
자퇴를 고민하고 있어요.
I am considering dropping out.
-고 있다 (progressive tense).
부모님이 자퇴를 반대하세요.
My parents oppose the dropout.
Honorific -시- used for parents.
그는 자퇴 후에 일을 해요.
He works after dropping out.
Noun + 후에 (after).
자퇴 사유가 무엇입니까?
What is the reason for dropping out?
Formal question style -입니까.
저는 자퇴를 후회하지 않아요.
I don't regret dropping out.
-지 않다 (negation).
자퇴하면 무엇을 할 거예요?
What will you do if you drop out?
-면 (if/when).
건강 때문에 자퇴를 선택했어요.
I chose to drop out because of health.
Noun + 때문에 (because of).
자퇴서를 내기 전에 상담을 받았어요.
I received counseling before submitting the withdrawal form.
-기 전에 (before doing).
그는 가수가 되려고 고등학교를 자퇴했다.
He dropped out of high school to become a singer.
-으려고 (in order to).
자퇴한 친구들이 생각보다 많아요.
There are more friends who dropped out than I thought.
Noun modifying clause (past tense).
자퇴를 하면 검정고시를 봐야 해요.
If you drop out, you have to take the GED.
-아야/어야 하다 (must/have to).
그녀는 자퇴 결정에 대해 확신이 없었다.
She wasn't sure about the decision to drop out.
-에 대해 (about).
자퇴 처리가 완료되었습니다.
The withdrawal process has been completed.
Passive-like expression '처리가 되다'.
어려운 형편 때문에 자퇴를 할 수밖에 없었다.
I had no choice but to drop out due to difficult circumstances.
-을 수밖에 없다 (no choice but to).
자퇴생들을 위한 지원 프로그램이 있나요?
Are there support programs for dropouts?
-을 위한 (for the benefit of).
명문대 자퇴생이 늘어나는 추세입니다.
The number of dropouts from prestigious universities is on the rise.
-는 추세이다 (to be a trend).
그는 자퇴를 선언하고 세계 여행을 떠났다.
He declared his withdrawal and went on a world trip.
-고 (and then).
자퇴가 인생의 실패를 의미하는 것은 아니다.
Dropping out does not mean life failure.
-는 것은 아니다 (it is not the case that).
학교를 자퇴한 후 독학으로 성공했다.
After dropping out of school, he succeeded through self-study.
독학 (self-study).
자퇴 사유서에 진솔한 고민을 담았다.
He put his sincere worries into the statement of reason for withdrawal.
담다 (to put/contain).
충동적인 자퇴는 나중에 후회를 부를 수 있다.
An impulsive dropout can lead to regret later.
-을 수 있다 (can/might).
자퇴생에 대한 사회적 편견이 여전하다.
Social prejudice against dropouts still exists.
여전하다 (to be as it was).
그는 적성에 맞지 않아 과감히 자퇴를 택했다.
He boldly chose to drop out because the major didn't suit him.
적성 (aptitude/suitability).
공교육의 획일성에 실망하여 자퇴를 감행했다.
Disappointed by the uniformity of public education, he ventured to drop out.
감행하다 (to venture/go through with).
자퇴는 단순한 학업 중단 이상의 의미를 지닌다.
Withdrawal carries more meaning than a simple discontinuation of studies.
지니다 (to possess/carry).
제도권 교육을 거부하고 자퇴를 선택한 청년들이 늘고 있다.
The number of young people rejecting institutionalized education and choosing to drop out is increasing.
제도권 (institutional/established).
자퇴 이후의 삶에 대한 체계적인 가이드가 필요하다.
A systematic guide for life after dropping out is necessary.
체계적인 (systematic).
그는 자퇴를 통해 자신만의 길을 개척하고자 했다.
He intended to pave his own path through dropping out.
-고자 하다 (intend to - formal).
자퇴생들의 학습권 보장을 위한 법안이 발의되었다.
A bill was proposed to guarantee the right to learn for dropout students.
발의되다 (to be proposed/moved).
학벌 위주의 사회 구조가 자퇴를 망설이게 한다.
The academic-clique-oriented social structure makes one hesitate to drop out.
-게 하다 (to make someone do).
자퇴라는 결단이 그에게는 새로운 시작의 시발점이었다.
The decision to drop out was the starting point of a new beginning for him.
시발점 (starting point).
자퇴는 기존 교육 시스템에 대한 무언의 항변일 수 있다.
Dropping out can be a silent protest against the existing education system.
무언의 항변 (silent protest).
그의 자퇴는 사회적 통념에 정면으로 도전하는 행위였다.
His withdrawal was an act of directly challenging social norms.
정면으로 도전하다 (to challenge head-on).
자퇴생을 낙오자로 규정하는 시각은 지양되어야 한다.
The perspective of defining dropouts as losers must be avoided.
지양되다 (to be avoided/rejected).
학문적 열망이 아닌 학위 취득만을 위한 교육에 회의를 느껴 자퇴했다.
He dropped out because he felt skeptical about education solely for obtaining a degree rather than academic aspiration.
회의를 느끼다 (to feel skeptical).
자퇴 이후 겪게 될 사회적 소외감을 간과해서는 안 된다.
One must not overlook the social alienation one will experience after dropping out.
간과하다 (to overlook).
자퇴라는 극단적 선택 이면에는 수많은 고민의 흔적이 서려 있다.
Behind the extreme choice of dropping out, traces of countless worries are embedded.
서려 있다 (to be infused/embedded).
그는 자퇴를 기점으로 자신의 정체성을 재정립하기 시작했다.
He began to redefine his identity starting from the point of dropping out.
-을 기점으로 (starting from/as a turning point).
자퇴가 초래할 수 있는 법적, 행정적 불이익을 면밀히 검토해야 한다.
One must carefully review the legal and administrative disadvantages that dropping out may cause.
면밀히 (minutely/carefully).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— I dropped out of school. Used in casual conversation.
나 어제 학교 자퇴했어.
— I want to drop out. A common complaint among stressed students.
시험 기간만 되면 자퇴하고 싶어.
— I am a dropout. Used to describe one's current educational status.
저는 지금 자퇴생 신분입니다.
— Statement of reason for withdrawal. The document explaining why.
자퇴 사유서 양식이 어디 있나요?
— To suggest dropping out. Sometimes done by parents or advisors.
부모님이 오히려 자퇴를 권유하셨어요.
— Withdrawal counseling. A required step in many schools.
자퇴 상담을 받으러 가야 해요.
— Withdrawal procedure. The steps needed to quit school.
자퇴 절차가 꽤 복잡하네요.
— Life after dropping out. A common topic in vlogs and blogs.
자퇴 후의 삶은 생각보다 평범해요.
— To prevent someone from dropping out.
친구들이 나의 자퇴를 막으려 했다.
— The decision to drop out.
자퇴 결정은 쉽지 않았습니다.
Often Confused With
Expulsion. This is forced by the school as a punishment, whereas 자퇴 is voluntary.
Resignation. This is used for leaving a job, a political position, or a competition.
Leaving early. This is when a student leaves school early for one day (e.g., because they are sick).
Idioms & Expressions
— To build a wall with school. Meaning to stop going or have no interest in school.
그는 자퇴 후 학교와 담을 쌓고 지냈다.
Informal— To fold the path of learning. To stop studying.
그는 가난 때문에 배움의 길을 접고 자퇴했다.
Literary— To walk out of the school gate. Often used metaphorically for graduating or dropping out.
그는 자퇴서를 내고 마지막으로 교문을 나섰다.
Neutral— To put down the pen. Meaning to stop studying or writing.
그는 자퇴와 함께 펜을 놓고 운동을 시작했다.
Metaphorical— To completely abandon studies.
자퇴 후 그는 한동안 학업을 전폐했다.
Formal— To go outside the institutional system.
자퇴는 제도권 밖으로 나가는 큰 용기가 필요하다.
Academic— To put a comma in life. Often used as a positive spin on taking a break or dropping out.
그녀는 자퇴를 인생의 쉼표라고 생각했다.
Poetic— To break out of the egg. To leave a restrictive environment (like school).
그에게 자퇴는 알을 깨고 나오는 과정이었다.
Literary— To turn one's back. To reject school.
그는 입시 위주의 학교에 등을 돌리고 자퇴했다.
Neutral— To go a new path. A common euphemism for dropping out.
자퇴 후 그는 요리사라는 새로운 길을 갔다.
PositiveEasily Confused
Both involve not attending school.
휴학 is a temporary break where you remain a student; 자퇴 is a permanent exit.
군대 갈 때는 휴학을 하고, 아예 그만둘 때는 자퇴를 해요.
Both result in losing student status.
자퇴 is initiated by the student; 제적 is often an administrative action by the school for rules violations or non-payment.
돈을 안 내면 제적당하고, 스스로 그만두면 자퇴예요.
Both mean 'leaving'.
탈퇴 is for clubs, websites, or parties; 자퇴 is strictly for schools.
동아리는 탈퇴하고, 학교는 자퇴해요.
Both mean 'quitting'.
사직 is for employment; 자퇴 is for education.
회사는 사직하고, 학교는 자퇴해요.
Both mean not finishing school.
중퇴 is often used to describe the final education level on a resume, while 자퇴 is the act itself.
그는 고등학교 자퇴 후 최종 학력이 중퇴입니다.
Sentence Patterns
N(School)을/를 자퇴해요.
대학교를 자퇴해요.
N 때문에 자퇴했어요.
꿈 때문에 자퇴했어요.
V-려고 자퇴를 결심했어요.
음악을 하려고 자퇴를 결심했어요.
자퇴는 N(이)라는 의미가 아니에요.
자퇴는 실패라는 의미가 아니에요.
N-에 실망하여 자퇴를 감행하다.
학교 시스템에 실망하여 자퇴를 감행했다.
자퇴를 기점으로 N-이/가 달라졌다.
자퇴를 기점으로 인생관이 달라졌다.
자퇴를 하든 안 하든 N-이/가 중요하다.
자퇴를 하든 안 하든 노력이 중요하다.
자퇴생이라서 N-이/가 힘들어요.
자퇴생이라서 친구 사귀기가 힘들어요.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in educational and social discussions in Korea.
-
회사에서 자퇴했어요.
→
회사에서 퇴사/사직했어요.
자퇴 is only for schools. For jobs, use 퇴사 or 사직.
-
그는 학교에서 자퇴당했다.
→
그는 학교에서 퇴학당했다.
You cannot be 'voluntarily dropped out' by someone else. Use 퇴학 (expulsion) for forced removal.
-
자퇴를 가고 싶어요.
→
자퇴하고 싶어요.
In Korean, you 'do' (하다) a dropout, you don't 'go' to it.
-
나 오늘 아파서 자퇴했어.
→
나 오늘 아파서 조퇴했어.
If you just left school early for the day, it's 조퇴. 자퇴 means you quit forever.
-
자퇴서를 받았어요.
→
자퇴서를 제출했어요.
Usually, students 'submit' (제출하다) the form, they don't 'receive' it unless they are the teacher.
Tips
Verb Usage
Always use '자퇴하다' or '자퇴를 하다'. Avoid '자퇴되다' unless you are speaking about the administrative process being completed.
Social Nuance
In Korea, dropping out is a major life event. When someone tells you they dropped out, it's polite to listen carefully rather than immediately judging.
Suffixes
Remember the suffix -생 for people (자퇴생) and -서 for documents (자퇴서). This pattern applies to many school words.
TOPIK Tip
The word '자퇴' often appears in reading passages about education and youth issues. Understand its relationship with '검정고시'.
Softening the Blow
If you find '자퇴' too harsh, use '학교를 그만두게 되었어요' (I ended up quitting school) to sound more indirect.
Hanja Logic
Knowing that '자' means self helps you distinguish it from '퇴학' (expulsion) where '퇴' is the same but '자' is missing.
Process
In Korea, '자퇴 상담' (counseling) is often mandatory before the papers are processed to ensure the student isn't making an impulsive choice.
Similar Sounds
Don't confuse '자퇴' (dropout) with '조퇴' (leaving early for the day). One is permanent, the other is for a few hours.
Word Roots
The '퇴' in 자퇴 is the same as in '퇴근' (leaving work). It literally means leaving the place you belong to during the day.
Resume Tip
If you dropped out, you usually write 'OO대학교 중퇴' on your Korean resume, not '자퇴'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine yourself (자 - Ja) walking out (퇴 - Toe/Retreat) of the school gate.
Visual Association
A picture of a student handing a paper (자퇴서) to a teacher and walking away with a smile.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to explain to a friend why a character in a drama might '자퇴' using at least three other related words like '선생님', '공부', and '꿈'.
Word Origin
Derived from Hanja (Sino-Korean characters).
Original meaning: 自 (Self) + 退 (Withdraw/Retreat). To withdraw oneself.
Sino-KoreanCultural Context
Be careful when asking someone why they dropped out; it can be a source of trauma or family conflict.
In the West, 'dropping out' is often associated with financial struggle or lack of interest, but in Korea, it is increasingly a calculated move for better exam results.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
University Administration
- 자퇴서를 어디에 내나요?
- 자퇴하면 등록금 환불되나요?
- 자퇴 절차를 알려주세요.
- 지도교수님 면담이 필요한가요?
Talking to Parents
- 저 학교 자퇴하고 싶어요.
- 제 꿈을 위해 자퇴를 허락해 주세요.
- 학교 공부가 저랑 안 맞아요.
- 자퇴하고 검정고시 볼 거예요.
News/Statistics
- 자퇴생 수가 급증했습니다.
- 자퇴 사유 1위는 부적응입니다.
- 자퇴 이후의 대책이 필요합니다.
- 학교 밖 청소년 지원 센터.
Dramas/Movies
- 너 정말 자퇴할 거야?
- 자퇴하고 뭐 먹고 살래?
- 학교가 전부가 아니야.
- 자퇴는 내 마지막 자존심이야.
Job Interviews
- 왜 대학교를 자퇴하셨나요?
- 자퇴 후 공백기에는 무엇을 했나요?
- 자퇴가 본인에게 어떤 영향을 주었나요?
- 자퇴한 것을 후회하지 않나요?
Conversation Starters
"혹시 주변에 학교를 자퇴한 사람이 있나요?"
"요즘 명문대생들이 자퇴를 많이 한다는데 어떻게 생각하세요?"
"만약 자녀가 학교를 자퇴하겠다고 하면 어떻게 하실 거예요?"
"학교 공부가 너무 힘들 때 자퇴하고 싶다는 생각을 해본 적 있나요?"
"자퇴생들에 대한 사회적 시선이 예전보다 좋아졌을까요?"
Journal Prompts
내가 만약 고등학교 때 자퇴를 했다면 지금 내 삶은 어떻게 달라졌을까?
한국의 치열한 교육 시스템에서 자퇴는 용기 있는 선택일까, 아니면 포기일까?
자퇴를 고민하는 친구에게 해주고 싶은 조언을 적어보세요.
성공한 자퇴생들의 이야기를 들으면 어떤 기분이 드나요?
학교라는 제도권 교육이 나에게 주는 의미는 무엇인지 자퇴라는 키워드와 함께 생각해보세요.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions자퇴는 학생이 스스로 원해서 학교를 그만두는 것이고, 퇴학은 학교에서 벌을 주어 강제로 쫓아내는 것입니다. 자퇴는 자발적인 선택이지만 퇴학은 징계의 결과입니다.
네, 자퇴 시점에 따라 등록금을 일부 돌려받을 수 있습니다. 학기 초에 자퇴할수록 더 많은 금액을 환불받을 수 있으니 학교 규정을 확인해야 합니다.
네, '재입학'이라는 절차를 통해 다시 학교로 돌아갈 수 있는 경우가 많습니다. 하지만 학교마다 규정이 다르고 자리가 있어야 가능합니다.
고등학교를 자퇴한 학생들은 보통 '검정고시'라는 시험을 봅니다. 이 시험에 합격하면 고등학교 졸업 학력을 인정받아 대학교에 지원할 수 있습니다.
보통 학교 홈페이지의 자료실이나 학교 행정실(교무실)에 비치되어 있습니다. 대학교의 경우 온라인 포털에서 신청하기도 합니다.
미성년자인 초, 중, 고등학생은 부모님(법정대리인)의 동의가 반드시 필요합니다. 성인인 대학생은 스스로 결정할 수 있습니다.
대학생의 경우 자퇴를 하면 입영 연기 혜택이 사라져서 군대 영장이 더 빨리 나올 수 있습니다. 이 점을 고려해서 자퇴 시기를 정해야 합니다.
연예인 활동 스케줄이 학교 수업과 병행하기 어렵기 때문입니다. 그래서 자퇴 후 검정고시를 통해 학력을 취득하는 경우가 많습니다.
보통 '가사 사정', '진로 변경', '건강상의 이유' 등을 씁니다. 솔직하게 적어도 되지만 행정적인 처리를 위해 일반적인 문구를 사용하기도 합니다.
비슷하지만 쓰임이 다릅니다. '자퇴'는 학교를 그만두는 '행위'를 강조하고, '중퇴'는 학교를 끝까지 마치지 못한 '상태'나 '학력'을 강조할 때 주로 씁니다.
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Summary
The core of '자퇴' is the voluntary nature of leaving school. While it can carry a social stigma in Korea, it is increasingly viewed as a strategic life choice. Remember: 자퇴 = Voluntary, 퇴학 = Forced.
- Jatoe (자퇴) means voluntarily dropping out of school, a decision made by the student rather than the institution.
- It is different from 'expulsion' (퇴학), which is forced, and 'leave of absence' (휴학), which is temporary.
- The word is commonly used in Korean media and news to discuss educational pressure and non-traditional career paths.
- Grammatically, it is a noun that often combines with '하다' to form the verb 'to drop out' (자퇴하다).
Verb Usage
Always use '자퇴하다' or '자퇴를 하다'. Avoid '자퇴되다' unless you are speaking about the administrative process being completed.
Social Nuance
In Korea, dropping out is a major life event. When someone tells you they dropped out, it's polite to listen carefully rather than immediately judging.
Suffixes
Remember the suffix -생 for people (자퇴생) and -서 for documents (자퇴서). This pattern applies to many school words.
TOPIK Tip
The word '자퇴' often appears in reading passages about education and youth issues. Understand its relationship with '검정고시'.
Related Content
More academic words
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
