Explanation at your level:
You use this word when you do not drink alcohol. It is a very healthy choice. You can say: 'I do not drink alcohol.' In Korean, you say: '저는 금주합니다.'
When you stop drinking wine or beer, you are 금주하다. It is a good word to use when talking about your diet or your health. Many people do this to feel better.
This word is used when someone makes a firm decision to stop drinking. It is more formal than saying 'I quit drinking.' You might hear it in a doctor's office or when someone talks about their new healthy lifestyle.
In professional contexts, 금주하다 is the preferred term for discussing sobriety. It carries a sense of discipline and purpose. It is often used in public health campaigns or when discussing the benefits of a sober lifestyle.
Using 금주하다 signifies a sophisticated command of vocabulary regarding lifestyle and health. It is often used in literature or formal essays to describe a character's transformation or a societal shift toward better health practices.
At this level, you understand the nuance between 'quitting' and 'abstaining.' 금주하다 represents a state of total removal of alcohol from one's life. It is the precise term used in legal, medical, and high-register social discourse to define a commitment to sobriety.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 금주하다 means to abstain from alcohol.
- It is a formal and serious term.
- Commonly used for health goals.
- Opposite of 음주하다.
The term 금주하다 is a formal and clear way to express the act of abstaining from alcohol. It is composed of the Hanja characters '금' (prohibit/abstain) and '주' (alcohol). When you use this word, you are signaling a firm commitment to sobriety.
Think of it as more than just 'not drinking today.' It carries the weight of a lifestyle choice. Whether someone is doing it for their liver health, religious beliefs, or personal discipline, 금주하다 is the standard verb to describe that state of being.
The word finds its roots in Sino-Korean vocabulary. The character 禁 (geum) means to forbid or prevent, while 酒 (ju) refers to wine or spirits. Historically, this concept has been tied to ascetic practices and medical advice in East Asian cultures.
Over centuries, the term has evolved from a strict prohibition often imposed by authorities to a modern, personal health-conscious term. It is a classic example of how Hanja-based words provide a precise, high-register way to describe human behavior and discipline.
You will most commonly see this word in formal settings, such as doctor's orders or news articles about health trends. For example, saying "건강을 위해 금주하기로 했다" (I decided to abstain from alcohol for my health) is a very natural and common usage.
It is rarely used in casual, slang-heavy conversation where people might just say '술 끊었어' (I quit drinking). 금주하다 is the 'grown-up' version that sounds professional and serious.
While there are few direct 'idioms' for this specific verb, it is often paired with strong nouns. 1. 금주 선언 (Declaring abstinence). 2. 금주 기간 (A period of abstinence). 3. 금주 모임 (Alcoholics Anonymous or support groups). 4. 금주를 결심하다 (To resolve to abstain). 5. 금주 중이다 (I am currently abstaining).
These phrases help you sound like a native speaker when discussing health goals or lifestyle changes in a serious, structured way.
As a regular verb, it conjugates with the -하다 pattern. You can use it as 금주합니다 (formal) or 금주했다 (past tense). It functions as an intransitive verb, meaning you don't usually 'abstain something,' you just 'abstain.'
In terms of rhythm, the stress falls naturally on the first and third syllables. It is a very clean, crisp word to pronounce, making it effective for emphasizing a serious personal decision in conversation.
Fun Fact
Used in ancient records regarding health.
Pronunciation Guide
Korean word
Korean word
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing '금' as '김'
- Dropping the 'h' sound
- Incorrect pitch
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb + -하다
금주하다
Noun + -를
금주를 하다
Sentence Ending -ㅂ니다
금주합니다
Examples by Level
저는 금주합니다.
I abstain from alcohol.
Simple present tense.
건강을 위해 금주합니다.
그는 금주하기로 했습니다.
금주가 몸에 좋습니다.
금주하는 사람을 봤어요.
금주가 어렵나요?
금주를 시작하세요.
금주를 유지합시다.
금주가 최고예요.
의사 선생님이 금주하라고 하셨어요.
금주를 결심한 지 1년이 되었습니다.
금주를 하면 잠을 잘 잡니다.
그는 금주 모임에 나갑니다.
금주를 통해 건강을 되찾았습니다.
금주를 하는 것은 쉽지 않습니다.
금주를 하면 돈이 절약됩니다.
금주를 권장하는 분위기입니다.
최근 건강상의 이유로 금주를 실천하고 있습니다.
금주를 선언한 이후로 컨디션이 좋아졌습니다.
사회생활을 하면서 금주하기란 쉽지 않은 일입니다.
정부에서는 금주 캠페인을 벌이고 있습니다.
금주를 통해 삶의 질을 높일 수 있습니다.
그는 금주를 철칙으로 삼고 있습니다.
금주를 하는 것이 간 건강에 필수적입니다.
금주를 결심하는 사람들이 늘고 있습니다.
그는 엄격한 금주를 통해 정신적인 맑음을 유지합니다.
금주를 강제하는 환경은 때로 반발을 사기도 합니다.
금주를 실천하는 것은 현대인에게 중요한 자기 관리입니다.
그의 금주 선언은 주변 사람들에게 큰 놀라움을 주었습니다.
금주를 지속하기 위해서는 강한 의지가 필요합니다.
금주를 통해 얻는 이점은 매우 다각적입니다.
금주를 하는 것은 단순한 습관이 아니라 가치관의 문제입니다.
금주를 지향하는 사회적 분위기가 형성되고 있습니다.
금주를 고수하는 그의 태도는 주변의 존경을 받기에 충분했습니다.
금주를 하나의 문화적 담론으로 끌어올릴 필요가 있습니다.
그는 금주를 통해 과거의 방탕한 삶과 완전히 결별했습니다.
금주를 실천하는 것은 자기 절제의 정점이라 할 수 있습니다.
금주를 권하는 사회적 담론이 더욱 확산되어야 합니다.
금주를 하는 것은 개인의 의지를 넘어선 사회적 책임이기도 합니다.
금주를 통해 그는 내면의 평화를 찾았습니다.
금주를 실천하는 것은 현대 문명에서의 고귀한 선택입니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"술을 끊다"
To quit drinking
건강을 위해 술을 끊었다.
neutral""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
Both relate to alcohol
절주 is moderation, 금주 is abstinence
절주 is better than nothing, but 금주 is total.
Both have '주'
음주 is drinking
음주운전 is bad.
Similar meaning
단주 is more clinical
Used in rehab.
Sounds similar
금지 is general prohibition
주차 금지.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 금주하다
나는 금주한다.
Subject + 금주를 결심하다
그는 금주를 결심했다.
Subject + 건강을 위해 금주하다
건강을 위해 금주합니다.
Subject + 금주를 선언하다
그가 금주를 선언했다.
Subject + 금주를 실천하다
나는 금주를 실천 중이다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
7/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
You cannot 'drink' abstinence.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a gold bar on top of a wine glass, blocking it.
When to use
Use in serious health discussions.
Culture
Sobriety is respected.
Grammar
It's a verb.
Pronunciation
Clear vowels.
Error
Don't confuse with drinking.
Fact
Hanja roots.
Hack
Use with '결심하다'.
Register
Formal.
Advice
Be polite.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Geum (Gold) + Ju (Alcohol) = Gold is better than alcohol!
Visual Association
A person pushing away a glass.
Word Web
Challenge
Say '금주합니다' to a friend.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Prohibit + Alcohol
Cultural Context
Can be a sensitive topic for those struggling with addiction.
Similar to 'sobriety' or 'teetotalism'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Doctor's visit
- 금주하세요
- 금주가 필요합니다
- 금주를 권장합니다
New Year's Resolution
- 금주를 결심했습니다
- 올해의 목표는 금주입니다
- 금주를 시작했습니다
Health check
- 금주 중입니다
- 금주 효과를 보고 있습니다
- 금주가 몸에 좋습니다
Social gathering
- 저는 금주합니다
- 금주 중이라 술은 안 마셔요
- 금주를 하고 있어요
Conversation Starters
"금주를 해본 적이 있나요?"
"왜 금주를 결심했나요?"
"금주가 건강에 어떤 도움이 될까요?"
"금주를 유지하는 팁이 있나요?"
"금주를 권장하는 사회에 대해 어떻게 생각하나요?"
Journal Prompts
금주를 결심하게 된 이유를 써보세요.
금주를 하면 얻을 수 있는 3가지 이점은?
금주를 방해하는 유혹을 어떻게 이겨낼까요?
금주를 통해 바뀐 나의 일상을 묘사하세요.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, 절주 is drinking in moderation.
Test Yourself
건강을 위해 ___ 합니다.
Context is health.
금주하다의 뜻은?
Definition match.
금주하다는 술을 조금 마시는 것이다.
It means to stop entirely.
Word
Meaning
Antonym matching.
Correct SOV order.
Score: /5
Summary
금주하다 is the act of choosing sobriety for your health and well-being.
- 금주하다 means to abstain from alcohol.
- It is a formal and serious term.
- Commonly used for health goals.
- Opposite of 음주하다.
Memory Palace
Imagine a gold bar on top of a wine glass, blocking it.
When to use
Use in serious health discussions.
Culture
Sobriety is respected.
Grammar
It's a verb.
Related Content
More health words
비정상적이다
B1Deviating from what is normal or usual; abnormal.
비정상이다
A2To be abnormal or irregular.
에 대해서
A2Indicating the topic or subject; about, concerning.
누적되다
B1To be accumulated or added up over a period of time. It is frequently used to describe the buildup of fatigue, debt, or environmental damage.
몸살
A2General body aches and fatigue, often accompanying a cold or flu.
몸살나다
A2To suffer from body aches and fatigue, often due to a cold.
쑤시다
B1To have a dull, throbbing pain; to ache.
에취
A2Achoo! (onomatopoeia for sneezing).
급성적이다
A2To be acute or sudden (e.g., an illness).
급성이다
A2Having a rapid onset and short course; to be acute (illness).
