유급하다
To stay in the same school grade for another year because you did not pass your classes.
Explanation at your level:
This word is for school. If you do not pass, you stay in the same grade. You do not move up. It is sad for students.
When a student has bad grades, they might have to repeat the year. We call this 유급하다. It means you stay in the same class for one more year.
In many schools, you must pass your classes to move to the next grade. If you fail too many, you 유급하다. This means you repeat the academic year instead of advancing.
유급하다 is a formal term used in academic contexts. It signifies the administrative decision to retain a student in their current grade level due to poor performance. It implies that the student must redo the curriculum.
The verb 유급하다 carries significant weight in the Korean educational system, where academic progression is highly valued. Using this term implies an official status change, often resulting from a failure to meet credit thresholds. It is distinct from simply failing a single course; it is a systemic failure to advance.
The term 유급하다 reflects the rigid structure of traditional academic progression. It is a formal, status-defining verb. In a cultural sense, it is often viewed as a major setback, and the word itself is rarely used lightly, often appearing in official transcripts or serious academic counseling sessions.
Word in 30 Seconds
- It means to be held back a grade.
- It is a formal academic term.
- It is generally negative.
- It is the opposite of advancing.
When we talk about 유급하다, we are describing a situation where a student cannot move forward to the next grade. Think of it as hitting a 'pause' button on your academic progress. Instead of graduating or moving to the next level, you stay exactly where you are to try again.
This term is very specific to academic environments. It isn't just about getting a bad grade on one test; it usually happens when you fail multiple subjects or don't earn enough credits throughout the year. It can be a stressful experience, so it is often discussed with a tone of seriousness or concern in Korean society.
The word 유급하다 is rooted in Sino-Korean characters (Hanja). '유' (留) means to stay or remain, and '급' (級) refers to a grade, class, or level. So, literally, it means 'to remain in a grade.'
Historically, this concept has existed as long as structured education systems have been around. In traditional systems, moving to the next level was strictly tied to mastery of the curriculum. If you didn't master the material, you stayed behind. The term evolved to become the standard administrative term used in modern schools and universities across Korea to describe this specific administrative action.
You will mostly hear this word in formal settings, like school meetings, university offices, or when discussing academic performance. It is not a word you would use in a casual, lighthearted conversation.
Common collocations include 유급 위기 (crisis of being held back) or 유급 조치 (the action of holding someone back). If you are talking to a friend, you might say '나 유급할 것 같아' (I think I'm going to be held back), which expresses worry about the possibility of this outcome.
While 유급하다 itself is a formal verb, there are related ways people talk about the situation. 1. 낙제하다: To fail a course. 2. 학점을 채우다: To fulfill credit requirements (the opposite). 3. 재수강하다: To retake a class. 4. 학교를 쉬다: To take a break from school. 5. 졸업이 늦어지다: Graduation is delayed.
Grammatically, 유급하다 acts as a regular verb. You can conjugate it as 유급했다 (past tense) or 유급할 것이다 (future tense). It is often used with the particle '-게 되다' (to end up being held back).
Pronunciation is straightforward: [유급하다]. Ensure the '유' is clear and the '급' is crisp. It rhymes with other '급' words like 계급 (rank) or 등급 (grade level), though the meaning is quite different.
Fun Fact
The character 留 (유) is also used in '유학' (studying abroad).
Pronunciation Guide
Clear vowel sounds.
Consistent with Korean phonology.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing '급' as '구'
- Dropping the 'h' sound
- Incorrect rhythm
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Clear academic term.
Easy to use.
Common topic.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb conjugation
유급하다 -> 유급했다
Passive voice
유급되다
Conditional
유급하면
Examples by Level
공부를 안 해서 유급했어요.
Study-not do-because held back-did.
Past tense usage.
유급하면 안 돼요.
Held back-if, not okay.
Conditional form.
그는 유급했어요.
He was held back.
Simple past.
유급은 힘들어요.
Being held back is hard.
Noun form.
학교에서 유급했어요.
Held back at school.
Location marker.
유급하지 마세요.
Don't be held back.
Negative imperative.
왜 유급했나요?
Why were you held back?
Interrogative.
유급할 것 같아요.
I think I will be held back.
Future conjecture.
유급 위기에 처했습니다.
열심히 해서 유급을 피했어요.
유급하면 친구들과 헤어져요.
성적이 낮아서 유급했습니다.
유급하지 않으려고 공부해요.
선생님이 유급에 대해 말했어요.
유급은 정말 슬픈 일이에요.
대학에서 유급하는 학생이 있어요.
학점이 부족해서 유급하게 되었습니다.
유급을 면하기 위해 최선을 다했습니다.
그는 유급 때문에 졸업이 늦어졌습니다.
유급 제도가 학생들에게는 부담입니다.
유급하지 않으려면 출석이 중요합니다.
많은 학생들이 유급을 두려워합니다.
유급 통보를 받고 충격을 받았습니다.
유급을 피하려면 재시험을 봐야 합니다.
유급 조치가 내려지기 전에 상담을 받으세요.
이번 학기에 유급할 가능성이 높습니다.
유급은 학업 성취도가 낮다는 증거입니다.
학교 규정에 따라 유급 여부가 결정됩니다.
유급을 방지하기 위한 계절학기를 신청했습니다.
유급이라는 결과는 매우 뼈아픈 경험입니다.
유급을 결정하는 기준은 매우 엄격합니다.
유급생들을 위한 특별 지도가 필요합니다.
유급하다는 것은 단순히 성적의 문제를 넘어 학업의 연속성이 단절됨을 의미합니다.
대학의 유급 제도는 학생들에게 학업적 책임감을 강조하는 장치입니다.
유급을 피하기 위한 필사적인 노력이 성적 향상으로 이어졌습니다.
엄격한 유급 제도는 교육의 질을 유지하는 데 기여합니다.
유급의 위기를 극복하는 과정에서 학생은 많은 것을 배웁니다.
제도적 유급은 학생의 심리적 위축을 초래할 수 있습니다.
유급하다는 사실을 부모님께 알리는 것이 가장 힘들었습니다.
유급을 면제받기 위한 예외 조항을 확인했습니다.
유급하다는 용어는 한국 교육 체계 내에서 낙오라는 부정적 함의를 강하게 내포하고 있습니다.
학사 경고 누적으로 인한 유급은 학생에게 씻을 수 없는 상처가 되기도 합니다.
유급 제도의 타당성에 대한 학계의 논의는 여전히 활발합니다.
유급을 결정하는 학칙은 대학마다 상이하게 적용됩니다.
유급이라는 낙인은 학생의 자존감에 심대한 영향을 미칠 수 있습니다.
유급하다는 상황을 직면했을 때 학생은 학업적 정체성을 재정립해야 합니다.
유급 제도는 교육적 성취를 독려하는 수단이자 동시에 강력한 제재입니다.
유급을 피하기 위해 학칙을 면밀히 검토하는 것은 학생의 의무입니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"발등에 불이 떨어지다"
To be in an urgent situation.
유급 위기라 발등에 불이 떨어졌다.
casual"죽을 쑤다"
To do very poorly.
시험을 죽을 쑤어서 유급할 것 같다.
casual"눈앞이 캄캄하다"
To feel hopeless.
유급 소식에 눈앞이 캄캄했다.
neutral"낙동강 오리알"
To be left alone/behind.
친구들은 진급하고 나만 유급해서 낙동강 오리알 신세다.
casual"가시방석에 앉다"
To be in an uncomfortable situation.
유급 위기라 가시방석에 앉은 기분이다.
neutral"한숨만 나오다"
To be very frustrated.
유급 이야기를 들으니 한숨만 나온다.
neutralEasily Confused
Both refer to grade levels.
One is up, one is staying.
진급하다 is move up.
Both mean failure.
낙제 is failing a course.
낙제는 과목 실패.
Both mean repeating.
재수 is for entrance exams.
재수는 입시 실패.
Both relate to school status.
졸업 is finishing school.
졸업은 끝나는 것.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 유급하다
그는 유급했다.
Subject + 유급하게 되다
나는 유급하게 되었다.
유급을 피하다
유급을 피했다.
유급 위기에 처하다
유급 위기에 처했다.
유급 조치를 받다
유급 조치를 받았다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is a verb, not a noun phrase.
They are opposites.
While used colloquially, '당하다' implies being a victim of an accident.
Slang that should be avoided in formal writing.
You don't 'receive' a grade retention; you 'experience' it.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'U' shape for 'You' stuck in a loop.
When Native Speakers Use It
When discussing academic standing.
Cultural Insight
High pressure on grades in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
It acts as a standard '하다' verb.
Say It Right
Focus on the '급' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with failing a single test.
Did You Know?
It comes from Sino-Korean roots.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about your own goals.
Verb Pattern
Always keep it in the context of school.
Tone Check
Keep it serious.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Yoo (You) + Geup (Give up) = You give up your grade.
Visual Association
A student sitting at a desk while others walk out of the classroom.
Word Web
Challenge
Use the word in a sentence about a fictional student.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: To remain in a grade level.
Cultural Context
Highly sensitive topic for students.
Equivalent to 'repeating a year' or 'being held back'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At university
- 학점 부족
- 유급 위기
- 재수강 신청
With parents
- 성적 통지표
- 상담 요청
- 죄송해요
With teachers
- 유급 면제
- 보충 수업
- 출석 확인
With friends
- 같이 졸업 못해
- 공부 좀 할걸
- 너무 슬퍼
Conversation Starters
"유급 위기에 처해본 적 있나요?"
"유급 제도가 학생에게 도움이 될까요?"
"한국의 유급 제도는 엄격하다고 생각하나요?"
"유급을 피하기 위해 무엇을 해야 할까요?"
"유급을 경험한 친구를 어떻게 위로할까요?"
Journal Prompts
유급이라는 단어를 들었을 때 어떤 기분이 드나요?
학업 성취를 위해 어떤 노력을 하고 있나요?
만약 유급을 하게 된다면 어떻게 대처할 것인가요?
학교 교육에서 성적의 중요성에 대해 써보세요.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it applies to any school level.
No, use '승진' for promotion.
It is a factual term but can be sensitive.
Study hard and get good grades.
Yes, it is a standard academic term.
유급.
Usually, you don't mention it unless asked.
No, 재수 is for entrance exams.
Test Yourself
성적이 낮으면 ___ 합니다.
Low grades lead to being held back.
What does 유급하다 mean?
It means repeating a grade.
유급하다 is a positive word.
It is generally negative.
Word
Meaning
Opposite academic terms.
Standard future conjecture.
그는 ___ 위기에 처했다.
Crisis context.
Which is an antonym?
Advancing is the opposite.
You can use 유급하다 for a job promotion.
It is for school grades.
Word
Meaning
Formal academic equivalents.
Subject-object-predicate.
Score: /10
Summary
유급하다 means staying in the same grade due to poor performance.
- It means to be held back a grade.
- It is a formal academic term.
- It is generally negative.
- It is the opposite of advancing.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'U' shape for 'You' stuck in a loop.
When Native Speakers Use It
When discussing academic standing.
Cultural Insight
High pressure on grades in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
It acts as a standard '하다' verb.
Example
성적 부진으로 유급하게 되었습니다.
Related Content
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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
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추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
