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휴학하다

B1 verb #8,000 most common 11 min read

휴학하다

hyuhakhada Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 휴학하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 휴학하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '휴학하다' as a special way to say 'stop school for a little while.' While A1 learners usually focus on basic verbs like 'go to school' (학교에 가다), '휴학하다' is useful if you are a student in Korea. You can use it in very simple sentences like '저는 휴학해요' (I take a leave). You don't need to know all the complex reasons yet, just that it means a 'school break.' It's like a long vacation that you choose to take. Remember: '휴' sounds like 'phew' (a sigh of relief) because you are taking a rest from your studies!

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '휴학하다' with basic time expressions and reasons. For example, '1년 동안 휴학해요' (I take a leave for one year). You can also start using it with the past tense: '어제 휴학했어요' (I took a leave yesterday). At this level, you might use it to explain why you aren't in class. It's important to distinguish it from '방학' (scheduled school vacation). '방학' is for everyone, but '휴학' is just for you because you applied for it. You can also use it with '-고 싶다' to express a desire: '휴학하고 싶어요' (I want to take a leave).

At the B1 level, you should understand the social context of '휴학하다' in Korea. This is the target level for this word. You should be able to explain *why* you or someone else is taking a leave using more complex grammar like '-기 위해서' (in order to) or '-(으)니까' (because). For example, '군대에 가야 하니까 휴학해야 해요' (I have to take a leave because I must go to the army). You should also know the noun form '휴학' and the verb '신청하다' (to apply). Understanding that '휴학' is a strategic pause for 'spec-building' or personal growth is key at this intermediate stage.

At the B2 level, you can use '휴학하다' to discuss broader educational trends. You might talk about the pros and cons of taking a leave of absence. You should be comfortable using it in various grammatical forms, such as '휴학하는 대신에' (instead of taking a leave) or '휴학한 덕분에' (thanks to taking a leave). You should also be aware of related terms like '복학' (returning to school) and '졸업 유예' (postponing graduation). At this level, you can participate in a debate about whether '휴학' is beneficial for one's career or just a way to delay the inevitable job search.

At the C1 level, '휴학하다' becomes a tool for discussing sociological issues in Korea. You might analyze how the high rate of '휴학' among university students reflects the competitive nature of the Korean job market. You should be able to use the word in formal academic writing or professional presentations. You'll understand the nuances of different types of leave, such as '일반 휴학' (general leave) versus '군 휴학' (military leave), and the administrative policies governing them. You can also use the word metaphorically or in complex conditional sentences to discuss hypothetical life paths.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of '휴학하다' and its implications. You can discuss the historical evolution of the '휴학' culture in Korea and compare it with the 'Gap Year' concept in the West. You can use the word in sophisticated literary contexts or high-level policy discussions regarding education reform. You understand the administrative intricacies, such as how '휴학' affects scholarship eligibility, student loans, and visa status for international students. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, incorporating it into complex rhetorical structures.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

휴학하다 in 30 Seconds

휴학하다 means taking a temporary, official break from university studies while keeping student status.
It is very common in Korea for military service, financial reasons, or 'spec-building' for jobs.
The opposite action is '복학하다' (returning to school), and it is different from '자퇴하다' (dropping out).
Grammatically, it is a verb often used as '휴학 중' (on leave) or '휴학을 신청하다' (apply for leave).

The word 휴학하다 (休學하다) is a fundamental verb in the Korean educational lexicon, specifically within the context of higher education. At its core, it means 'to take a temporary leave of absence from school or university.' In the Korean university system, this is not merely a peripheral action but a significant life event that many, if not most, students experience at least once. The term is composed of the Hanja hyu (休), meaning 'to rest' or 'to pause,' and hak (學), meaning 'to study' or 'learning.' When combined with the auxiliary verb hada (to do), it describes the formal process of pausing one's academic pursuits with the intention of returning later.

The Concept of 'Hyu-hak': Unlike in some Western cultures where a 'gap year' often happens before university starts, in South Korea, the 'gap' typically happens in the middle of the degree. Students '휴학' for various reasons: mandatory military service (for men), financial needs, health issues, travel, or to gain practical work experience to build their 'spec' (specifications/resume).

저는 이번 학기에 휴학하기로 결심했어요. (I have decided to take a leave of absence this semester.)

Understanding the weight of this word requires looking at the social pressure in Korea. Students often feel they are in a constant race. Taking a break through 휴학하다 is sometimes seen as a strategic move to prepare for the job market rather than just a simple rest. For example, a student might take a year off to study English abroad or to obtain professional certifications. This is so common that a student who graduates in exactly four years without any breaks is sometimes jokingly called a 'fossil' or someone who was 'too diligent.'

Military Leave (군 휴학): The most common form of 휴학 for male students is '군 휴학' (gun hyu-hak). Since military service is mandatory, male students usually complete one or two years of university and then '휴학하다' to serve their country. This creates a unique dynamic in Korean campuses where male students in the same year of study are often two years older than their female counterparts.

In conversation, you will hear this word most frequently among university students (대학생). When someone asks, "요즘 학교 다녀요?" (Are you going to school these days?), and the answer is "아니요, 저 지금 휴학 중이에요" (No, I'm currently on a leave of absence), it is a perfectly normal and expected response. It doesn't carry the negative connotation of 'dropping out' that it might in other cultures. Instead, it suggests a period of transition or preparation.

친구는 군대 때문에 휴학했어요. (My friend took a leave of absence because of the army.)

General Leave (일반 휴학): This covers any reason other than military service, such as '질병 휴학' (sick leave) or '가사 휴학' (leave for family reasons). Universities usually have a limit on how many semesters of '일반 휴학' a student can take, typically around 4 to 6 semesters throughout their entire degree program.

건강이 안 좋아서 한 학기 휴학하기로 했습니다. (I decided to take a semester off because my health isn't good.)

내년에 휴학하고 세계 여행을 갈 거예요. (Next year, I'm going to take a leave of absence and go on a world trip.)

Using 휴학하다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a verb and its common collocations. Since it is an action that results in a state, you will often see it used in the past tense to describe a current state (e.g., '휴학했다' meaning 'I have taken a leave') or in the progressive form '휴학 중이다' (currently on leave).

Grammatical Structure: The basic structure is [Subject] + [Duration] + [Reason] + 휴학하다. For example: '저는 (Subject) 1년 동안 (Duration) 어학연수를 위해 (Reason) 휴학했어요 (Verb).'

많은 학생들이 취업 준비를 위해 휴학합니다. (Many students take a leave of absence to prepare for employment.)

When talking about the duration, Koreans use counters like '학기' (semester) or '년' (year). It is very common to say '한 학기 휴학하다' (take one semester off) or '1년 휴학하다' (take one year off). Note that in Korean university administration, leave is usually granted on a semester-by-semester basis.

Common Intentions: You will often see this verb paired with intent markers like '-기로 하다' (decided to) or '-고 싶다' (want to). Example: '휴학하고 싶지만 부모님이 반대하세요.' (I want to take a leave, but my parents are against it.)

돈을 벌기 위해서 잠시 휴학하기로 했어요. (I decided to take a temporary leave of absence to earn money.)

In formal settings, such as university administrative documents, the noun form '휴학' is often used with '신청하다' (to apply). So, '휴학을 신청하다' means 'to apply for a leave of absence.' This is the standard way to describe the bureaucratic process.

그는 이미 세 번이나 휴학한 적이 있습니다. (He has already taken a leave of absence three times.)

Another interesting usage is when describing the state of being on leave. You can say '휴학 중이다' (to be in the middle of a leave). This is used as an adjective-like state. For example, '휴학 중인 학생' (a student on leave). This is very useful when introducing yourself or someone else's current status.

Asking Questions: When asking a friend about their plans, you might say: "너 이번에 휴학할 거야?" (Are you going to take a leave this time?). If they answer "응, 휴학하려고." (Yeah, I'm planning to take a leave), it sounds very natural and conversational.

휴학 기간 동안 무엇을 할 계획인가요? (What do you plan to do during your leave of absence?)

Finally, consider the negative form. '휴학하지 않다' or '안 휴학하다' (though the former is much more common). If someone decides to push through and graduate without stopping, they might say '휴학 없이 졸업했다' (I graduated without taking any leave).

You will encounter 휴학하다 in a variety of real-life settings in Korea, primarily centered around youth culture and academia. If you are a student at a Korean university, this word will be everywhere—from official notices on the school website to casual conversations in the student lounge (과방).

Campus Life: At the beginning and end of every semester, the '휴학 신청 기간' (leave of absence application period) is announced. You'll see banners or digital notices saying '2024학년도 1학기 휴학 및 복학 안내' (Information on leave and return for the 1st semester of the 2024 academic year).

"과사무실에 가서 휴학 서류를 제출했어요." (I went to the department office and submitted the leave of absence papers.)

In Korean dramas (K-Dramas) that focus on university life, such as 'Cheese in the Trap' or 'Age of Youth,' the theme of 휴학 is a recurring plot point. Characters often struggle with the decision to take a break due to financial difficulties or the need to find themselves. Hearing a character say "나 휴학했어" (I took a leave of absence) often signals a significant shift in the story or a moment of personal crisis/reflection.

Conversations with Parents: This word is also central to family discussions. In many traditional Korean families, parents might be hesitant about their children taking a leave of absence because they want them to graduate and enter the workforce as quickly as possible. A dialogue might go: "엄마, 저 한 학기만 휴학하면 안 될까요?" (Mom, can't I take just one semester off?).

"요즘은 취업이 힘들어서 다들 휴학하고 자격증 공부를 해요." (These days, finding a job is hard, so everyone takes a leave and studies for certifications.)

You will also hear it in news reports or social commentaries discussing the 'youth unemployment' crisis. Experts often mention the increasing number of students who '휴학하다' to delay graduation (졸업 유예), trying to remain 'students' while they look for jobs because being a 'graduate' without a job is seen as less desirable by some companies.

"군대 가기 전까지 남은 시간 동안 휴학하고 아르바이트를 할 거예요." (I'm going to take a leave and work a part-time job in the time left before I go to the army.)

Lastly, in online communities like 'Everytime' (a popular campus app in Korea), you'll see endless threads asking for advice: "휴학하면 뭐 하는 게 좋을까요?" (What's good to do if I take a leave of absence?). The word is so ingrained in the lifestyle that it becomes a verb of transformation, representing a period where a student steps out of the classroom and into the 'real world' temporarily.

While 휴학하다 is a straightforward verb, English speakers and learners often make specific errors regarding its scope, its distinction from similar words, and its grammatical application.

Mistake 1: Using it for Workers: The most common mistake is using '휴학하다' to mean 'taking a break from work.' In English, 'taking a leave of absence' can apply to both school and jobs. However, in Korean, '휴학' is strictly for '학' (learning/school). If you are taking a leave from your job, you MUST use 휴직하다 (休職하다).

Incorrect: 회사를 휴학하고 싶어요. (I want to 'school-leave' the company.)
Correct: 회사를 휴직하고 싶어요. (I want to take a leave of absence from the company.)

Another mistake involves confusing 휴학 with 방학 (vacation). '방학' is the scheduled break between semesters that all students have (summer/winter vacation). '휴학' is a personal, formal decision to skip one or more semesters that are otherwise active. You don't '휴학' during the summer break; you are already on '방학.'

Mistake 2: Confusing with Dropping Out: Learners sometimes use '휴학하다' when they actually mean they've quit school forever. Remember, '휴학' implies you are still a student of that school, just not currently attending classes. If you have permanently left, use 자퇴하다 (to voluntarily withdraw) or 퇴학당하다 (to be expelled).

Incorrect: 학교가 싫어서 휴학하고 다시는 안 갈 거예요. (I hate school so I'll take a leave and never go back.)
Correct: 학교가 싫어서 자퇴했어요. (I hated school so I dropped out.)

Grammatically, some learners forget that '휴학' is a noun and '하다' is the verb. While you can say '휴학하다,' in formal writing or when emphasizing the act of application, it's better to use '휴학을 신청하다.' Also, be careful with the particle usage. You don't '휴학' *from* a school using the particle '에서' in the same way you do in English. Usually, it's just '학교를 휴학하다' or simply '휴학하다' if the context is clear.

Finally, a cultural-linguistic mistake: assuming '휴학' is only for long periods. While usually a semester, some might use it loosely to mean 'taking a break from studies' in a general sense, but technically, it always refers to the formal administrative status. If you are just taking a week off classes because you are sick, that is '결석' (absence), not '휴학.'

To master the use of 휴학하다, it is essential to compare it with other words related to 'stopping' or 'resting' in an educational or professional context. Korea has a very specific vocabulary for different types of 'breaks.'

휴학하다 vs. 휴직하다: As mentioned, '휴학' is for students (학 - learning), while '휴직' is for employees (직 - job/office). Both imply a temporary leave with the intent to return.

학생은 휴학하고, 직장인은 휴직합니다. (Students take a leave from school, and workers take a leave from work.)

휴학하다 vs. 자퇴하다: '자퇴하다' (自退-) means to voluntarily drop out of school permanently. '휴학' is a pause; '자퇴' is an end. If you '자퇴,' you lose your student status entirely.

Another word you might encounter is 중퇴하다 (中退-). This is a more general term for 'dropping out' or 'quitting midway,' often used when looking back at someone's educational history (e.g., '대학 중퇴' - college dropout).

휴학하다 vs. 쉬다: '쉬다' is the general verb for 'to rest.' You can use '쉬다' in a casual conversation to imply you are taking a leave: "이번 학기는 그냥 좀 쉬려고요" (I'm planning to just rest/take a break this semester). It's less formal than '휴학하다' but often means the same thing in context.

공부가 너무 힘들어서 한 학기 쉬기로 했어요. (Studying was so hard that I decided to rest for a semester.)

For the opposite action, we have 복학하다 (復學-). This is the specific verb for returning to school after a period of 휴학. You cannot '복학' unless you have first '휴학'-ed. The cycle of leaving and returning is a very common topic of discussion among Korean students.

Finally, consider 정학 (suspension). This is a forced 'break' from school as a punishment. While it involves not going to school, it is very different from the voluntary or planned nature of '휴학.' Use '휴학' only for planned leaves of absence.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 休 (휴) depicts a person (人) resting against a tree (木), perfectly capturing the essence of taking a break.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /hju.hak.ha.da/

US /hju.hak.ha.da/

The stress is generally even across syllables, but a slight emphasis can be placed on the first syllable '휴' (hyu).

Rhymes With

부탁하다 (butak-hada - to request) 도착하다 (dochak-hada - to arrive) 세탁하다 (setak-hada - to wash clothes) 유학하다 (yuhak-hada - to study abroad) 입학하다 (iphak-hada - to enter school) 전학하다 (jeonhak-hada - to transfer schools) 퇴학하다 (thoehak-hada - to be expelled) 복학하다 (bokhak-hada - to return to school)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '휴' as 'hoo' (should be 'hyu').
Dropping the 'h' in 'hak', making it sound like 'hyu-ak'.
Confusing '휴학' (hyu-hak) with '휴가' (hyu-ga - vacation).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The word itself is easy, but it often appears in complex administrative contexts.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of Sino-Korean roots and appropriate particles.

Speaking 3/5

Commonly used in university life; pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 3/5

Easy to recognize in conversations about school.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

학교 (school) 학생 (student) 공부하다 (to study) 학기 (semester) 쉬다 (to rest)

Learn Next

복학하다 (to return to school) 자퇴하다 (to drop out) 졸업하다 (to graduate) 취업하다 (to get a job) 어학연수 (language study abroad)

Advanced

졸업 유예 (postponing graduation) 학점 이수 (earning credits) 제적 (expulsion) 편입 (transferring)

Grammar to Know

-기로 하다 (Decided to do...)

이번 학기에 휴학하기로 했어요.

-기 위해서 (In order to...)

돈을 벌기 위해서 휴학을 했습니다.

-(으)려고 (Intending to...)

여행을 가려고 휴학할 계획이에요.

-는 동안 (While/During...)

휴학하는 동안 영어를 공부할 거예요.

-ㄴ/은 적이 있다 (Have experience doing...)

저는 한 번도 휴학한 적이 없어요.

Examples by Level

저는 휴학해요.

I take a leave of absence.

Simple present tense.

친구는 휴학했어요.

My friend took a leave of absence.

Past tense -어요 form.

언제 휴학해요?

When do you take a leave of absence?

Interrogative form.

학교를 휴학해요.

I take a leave from school.

Using the object particle -를.

지금 휴학 중이에요.

I am currently on a leave of absence.

Present progressive state -중이다.

동생은 휴학 안 해요.

My younger sibling does not take a leave.

Negative form with '안'.

우리 휴학할까요?

Shall we take a leave of absence?

Suggestive form -(으)ㄹ까요.

휴학은 좋아요.

A leave of absence is good.

Using the noun form as a subject.

1년 동안 휴학하고 싶어요.

I want to take a leave of absence for one year.

-고 싶다 (want to).

아파서 한 학기 휴학했어요.

I took a semester off because I was sick.

-아서/어서 (reason).

돈을 벌려고 휴학할 거예요.

I will take a leave to earn money.

-(으)려고 (intention) + -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (future).

휴학하면 뭐 할 거예요?

If you take a leave, what will you do?

-(으)면 (if/when).

저는 휴학하지 않았어요.

I did not take a leave of absence.

-지 않다 (formal negation).

휴학한 친구를 만났어요.

I met a friend who is on a leave of absence.

Noun modifying form (past) -ㄴ.

다음에 휴학할 수 있어요?

Can I take a leave of absence next time?

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 (ability/possibility).

휴학하기 전에 여행을 갔어요.

I went on a trip before taking a leave.

-기 전에 (before doing).

군대 때문에 휴학하는 학생들이 많아요.

There are many students who take a leave of absence because of the military.

Noun + 때문에 (because of).

취업 준비를 위해서 휴학하기로 했어요.

I decided to take a leave of absence to prepare for employment.

-기 위해서 (in order to) + -기로 하다 (decided to).

휴학을 신청하려면 어떻게 해야 하나요?

What should I do to apply for a leave of absence?

-(으)려면 (if one intends to).

부모님께 휴학하고 싶다고 말씀드렸어요.

I told my parents that I want to take a leave of absence.

Indirect quotation -고 싶다고.

휴학 기간이 끝나면 복학해야 해요.

When the leave of absence period ends, you must return to school.

-아/어야 하다 (must).

건강상의 이유로 휴학하는 것은 당연해요.

It is natural to take a leave of absence for health reasons.

-는 것 (nominalization).

벌써 두 번이나 휴학을 했어요.

I have already taken a leave of absence twice.

Particle '이나' for emphasis on quantity.

휴학하지 말고 그냥 학교에 다니세요.

Don't take a leave of absence; just attend school.

-지 말고 (don't do X, but do Y).

휴학을 한다고 해서 반드시 성공하는 것은 아니다.

Taking a leave of absence doesn't necessarily mean you will succeed.

-는다고 해서 (just because... doesn't mean...).

그는 휴학 기간 동안 어학연수를 다녀왔다.

He went on a language study program during his leave of absence.

Plain style -다.

휴학을 고민 중이라면 선배들에게 조언을 구해보세요.

If you are considering a leave of absence, try seeking advice from seniors.

-(으)ㄴ/는 중이라면 (if you are in the middle of...).

많은 대학생들이 휴학을 통해 자아를 찾으려 노력한다.

Many university students try to find themselves through a leave of absence.

-(으)려 노력하다 (try to/effort to).

휴학을 하면 졸업이 늦어질 수밖에 없어요.

If you take a leave, graduation will inevitably be delayed.

-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 (there is no choice but to).

휴학 신청서에 사유를 자세히 적어야 합니다.

You must write the reason in detail on the leave of absence application.

Formal ending -습니다.

휴학을 하든 안 하든 본인의 선택이 가장 중요해요.

Whether you take a leave or not, your own choice is most important.

-든 -든 (whether X or Y).

그는 무작정 휴학을 했다가 시간을 낭비했다.

He took a leave of absence blindly and ended up wasting time.

-았다가 (after doing X, Y happened - often negative result).

한국 사회에서 휴학은 이제 필수적인 과정처럼 여겨진다.

In Korean society, a leave of absence is now regarded as an essential process.

Passive form -여겨지다.

휴학률이 높아지는 현상은 청년 실업 문제와 직결되어 있다.

The phenomenon of rising leave-of-absence rates is directly linked to the youth unemployment problem.

-아/어 있다 (resultant state).

맹목적인 휴학보다는 구체적인 계획이 선행되어야 한다.

A concrete plan should precede a blind leave of absence.

-기보다는 (rather than).

휴학을 통해 얻은 실무 경험이 취업에 큰 도움이 되었다.

The practical experience gained through the leave of absence was a great help in getting a job.

Noun modifying form with '얻은' (gained).

대학 측은 학생들의 무분별한 휴학을 방지하기 위해 대책을 마련했다.

The university has prepared measures to prevent students' indiscriminate leave of absence.

-기 위해(서) (purpose).

휴학 기간의 장기화는 사회 진출 시기를 늦추는 부작용을 낳는다.

The prolongation of the leave of absence period results in the side effect of delaying the timing of entering society.

Literary style '낳는다' (to give birth to/result in).

휴학을 결심하기까지 수많은 고민과 갈등이 있었다.

There were numerous worries and conflicts until I decided to take a leave of absence.

-기까지 (until doing).

경제적 여건이 허락하지 않아 휴학을 포기할 수밖에 없었다.

I had no choice but to give up on the leave of absence because economic conditions did not allow it.

Reason -아/어서 + -ㄹ 수밖에 없었다.

휴학이라는 기표 속에는 한국 청년들의 불안과 희망이 공존한다.

Within the signifier of 'leave of absence,' the anxiety and hope of Korean youth coexist.

Metaphorical use of '기표' (signifier).

제도적 차원에서의 휴학은 학습권의 보장이라는 측면에서 재조명되어야 한다.

Leave of absence at the institutional level should be re-examined in terms of guaranteeing the right to learn.

Academic terminology like '제도적 차원' and '재조명'.

휴학이 단순히 학업의 중단이 아닌, 새로운 도약을 위한 발판이 되기도 한다.

A leave of absence is not just a cessation of studies, but also a springboard for a new leap.

A is not B, but C structure.

그는 휴학을 일종의 사회적 도피처로 삼으려 했던 것은 아닌지 자문했다.

He asked himself whether he had intended to use the leave of absence as a kind of social refuge.

Complex psychological description.

휴학을 둘러싼 담론은 한국 교육 시스템의 구조적 모순을 시사한다.

The discourse surrounding leave of absence suggests structural contradictions in the Korean education system.

High-level vocabulary like '담론' (discourse) and '시사한다' (suggests).

장기 휴학이 경력 단절로 이어지지 않도록 세심한 경력 관리가 요구된다.

Meticulous career management is required so that long-term leave of absence does not lead to a career break.

-지 않도록 (so that not).

휴학의 일상화는 대학이 지성소로서의 기능을 상실했음을 방증하는지도 모른다.

The normalization of leave of absence may prove that universities have lost their function as a sanctuary of intellect.

Philosophical tone.

휴학을 통해 비로소 자신이 진정으로 원하는 바를 깨닫는 이들도 적지 않다.

There are not a few who finally realize what they truly want through a leave of absence.

Double negative '적지 않다' for emphasis.

Synonyms

학교를 쉬다

Antonyms

복학하다 재학하다

Common Collocations

휴학을 신청하다

군 휴학

일반 휴학

휴학 중이다

휴학 기간

한 학기 휴학

휴학 사유

질병 휴학

휴학을 결심하다

휴학 증명서

Common Phrases

나 휴학했어

— I took a leave of absence. Used to tell friends about your status.

나 휴학했어. 이제 좀 쉬려고.

휴학하고 뭐 해?

— What are you doing during your leave? A common question friends ask.

너 휴학하고 뭐 해? 여행 가?

휴학할까 고민 중이야

— I'm thinking about whether to take a leave. Expressing indecision.

공부가 너무 안 돼서 휴학할까 고민 중이야.

휴학 없이 졸업

— Graduating without any breaks. Seen as quite an achievement or 'hardcore'.

그는 휴학 없이 4년 만에 졸업했다.

휴학 기간 만료

— Expiration of the leave period. A warning that you must return or lose status.

휴학 기간 만료 전에 복학 신청을 하세요.

스트레이트 졸업

— Slang for graduating 'straight' without any breaks (휴학).

나는 스트레이트 졸업이 목표야.

반수 휴학

— Taking a leave to study and retake the entrance exam for a better university.

그는 반수 휴학을 하고 다시 공부하고 있다.

가사 휴학

— Leave for family/household reasons.

집안 사정 때문에 가사 휴학을 했다.

휴학 연장

— Extending the leave of absence period.

휴학 연장이 가능한지 알아봐야겠어요.

휴학 권고

— Recommendation to take a leave (often for health or grades).

교수님이 나에게 휴학 권고를 하셨어.

Often Confused With

휴학하다 vs 휴직하다

휴직 is for jobs; 휴학 is for school.

휴학하다 vs 방학

방학 is the official school break; 휴학 is a personal leave.

휴학하다 vs 자퇴하다

자퇴 is permanent; 휴학 is temporary.

Idioms & Expressions

"휴학은 선택이 아닌 필수"

— Taking a leave is not a choice but a necessity. Reflects the competitive job market.

요즘 대학생들에게 휴학은 선택이 아닌 필수다.

colloquial

"프로 휴학러"

— A 'professional' leaver. Slang for someone who takes many leaves or is on leave for a long time.

그는 벌써 3년째 휴학 중인 프로 휴학러다.

slang

"휴학병에 걸리다"

— To catch the 'leave-of-absence disease.' Used when a student suddenly wants to quit school for no specific reason.

시험 기간만 되면 휴학병에 걸리는 것 같아.

slang

"휴학 테크"

— 'Hyu-hak Tech.' Strategically using a leave of absence to build a career 'tech tree' or resume.

어학연수와 인턴십으로 완벽한 휴학 테크를 탔다.

slang

"군대로 휴학하다"

— To take a leave for the military. Often used as a general life phase.

남자들은 대부분 2학년 마치고 군대로 휴학해요.

neutral

"휴학하고 잠적하다"

— To take a leave and disappear (stop contacting people).

그 친구는 휴학하고 잠적해버렸어.

informal

"휴학의 늪"

— The 'swamp' of leave. Once you start taking leaves, it's hard to come back and finish.

휴학의 늪에 빠져서 졸업이 점점 늦어지고 있다.

metaphorical

"휴학하고 도망가다"

— To 'run away' by taking a leave. Used when escaping academic stress.

현실에서 도망가려고 휴학하는 건 좋지 않아.

informal

"휴학 찬스"

— Using the 'leave of absence chance.' Treating it as a special opportunity.

이번에 휴학 찬스를 써서 유럽 여행을 갈 거야.

informal

"휴학 라이프"

— Leave-of-absence life. The lifestyle of a student not currently in school.

즐거운 휴학 라이프를 즐기고 있어요.

informal

Easily Confused

휴학하다 vs 휴강하다

Both start with '휴' and relate to school.

휴강 is when a professor cancels a specific class session. 휴학 is when a student leaves for a whole semester.

교수님이 아파서 오늘 수업이 휴강되었다.

휴학하다 vs 유학하다

Sounds very similar (Hyu-hak vs. Yu-hak).

유학 (Yu-hak) means to study abroad. 휴학 (Hyu-hak) means to take a break from school.

저는 미국으로 유학하고 싶어요. (I want to study abroad in the US.)

휴학하다 vs 퇴학하다

Both relate to leaving school.

퇴학 is usually forced expulsion or permanent leaving. 휴학 is a temporary, usually voluntary, pause.

그는 나쁜 행동 때문에 학교에서 퇴학당했다.

휴학하다 vs 정학

Both involve not attending school.

정학 is a suspension as a disciplinary measure. 휴학 is a planned leave of absence.

싸움을 해서 일주일 정학을 받았다.

휴학하다 vs 조퇴하다

Both involve leaving school.

조퇴 is leaving school early on a specific day (e.g., leaving at 2 PM instead of 4 PM). 휴학 is for whole semesters.

머리가 아파서 조퇴하고 집에 왔어요.

Sentence Patterns

[Reason] 때문에 휴학하다

건강 때문에 휴학했어요.

[Purpose]을/를 위해(서) 휴학하다

어학연수를 위해서 휴학해요.

[Duration] 동안 휴학하다

2년 동안 휴학할 거예요.

휴학하는 대신에 [Alternative]

휴학하는 대신에 계절 학기를 들을게요.

휴학할까 말까 고민하다

이번 학기에 휴학할까 말까 고민 중이에요.

휴학이 [Effect]로 이어지다

장기 휴학이 졸업 지연으로 이어졌습니다.

휴학을 통해 [Gained Thing]

휴학을 통해 다양한 경험을 쌓았습니다.

휴학의 일상화와 [Social Issue]

휴학의 일상화와 청년 실업의 상관관계를 분석하다.

Word Family

Nouns

휴학 (leave of absence)

휴학생 (student on leave of absence)

휴학계 (written notice of leave of absence)

휴학 기간 (period of leave of absence)

Verbs

휴학하다 (to take a leave of absence)

휴학시키다 (to make someone take a leave of absence)

복학하다 (to return to school)

자퇴하다 (to drop out)

제적되다 (to be removed from school register)

재학하다 (to be enrolled)

졸업하다 (to graduate)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high among the 19-27 age group in Korea.

Common Mistakes

Using 휴학하다 for a job leave. → 휴직하다
휴학 is only for students. Workers use 휴직.
Confusing 휴학 with 방학. → 이번에 휴학해요 (I'm taking a leave) vs. 지금 방학이에요 (It's vacation now).
방학 is the scheduled school break. 휴학 is a personal leave of absence from active semesters.
Saying '휴학에서' (from leave). → 학교를 휴학하다 / 휴학 중이다
In Korean, you 'do' a leave (휴학하다) or are 'in the middle of' a leave (휴학 중). You don't use 'from' like in English.
Confusing 휴학 (Leave) with 유학 (Study abroad). → 휴학 (Hyu-hak) vs. 유학 (Yu-hak)
They sound similar but 'Hyu' means rest and 'Yu' means to stay/move. Be careful with the first vowel.
Using 휴학 for a short illness (like a cold). → 결석하다 (to be absent)
휴학 is for long-term (semester-long) breaks. For a few days, use 결석.

Tips

Understanding the 'Spec' Culture

Many students take a '휴학' specifically to build their 'spec' (specifications). This includes high TOEIC scores, internships, and volunteer work. If someone says they are taking a leave, they are often working harder than when they were in school!

Verb vs. Noun

Remember that '휴학' is the noun and '하다' makes it a verb. You can use '휴학을 신청하다' (apply for leave) or '휴학 중이다' (be on leave) to sound more natural in different contexts.

Don't confuse with Yu-hak

Many learners confuse 'Hyu-hak' (휴학 - leave) with 'Yu-hak' (유학 - study abroad). They sound similar but have opposite meanings regarding whether you are 'resting' or 'going' to study!

Ask about the reason

When someone says they '휴학'-ed, it's common to ask '왜요?' (Why?) or '뭐 하실 거예요?' (What are you going to do?). It's a great conversation starter for university-age Koreans.

Administrative Terms

In official documents, look for '휴학원' (Application for Leave) or '휴학 신청' (Leave Application). Schools usually have very strict deadlines for these.

Military Leave is Special

For men, '군 휴학' is a separate category. They often have to submit their '입영 통지서' (enlistment notice) to the school to get this status.

The 'H' Sound

Ensure you pronounce both 'h' sounds clearly. 'Hyu-hak-ha-da'. If you skip the 'h' in 'hak', it might be misunderstood.

The 'Fossil' Joke

Students who don't take any '휴학' and graduate quickly are sometimes called '화석' (fossils) because they seem so out of place among older students who took breaks.

Semester Basis

'휴학' is almost always done in units of semesters. You can't usually take a leave for just two weeks in the middle of a term; that's just being absent.

Hyu-hak vs. Hyu-jik

Always remember: School = 휴학 (Hyu-hak), Work = 휴직 (Hyu-jik). Using the wrong one is a very common beginner mistake.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Hyu' as 'Phew!' (a sigh of relief) and 'Hak' as 'Hagwon' or 'School'. So, 'Phew! I'm away from School!'

Visual Association

Imagine a student putting a giant 'PAUSE' button sticker on their university ID card.

Word Web

University Military Service Rest Resume Building Semester Application Student Status Return

Challenge

Try to write three reasons why a Korean student might decide to 휴학하다 in Korean using the grammar '-기 위해서'.

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean roots (Hanja).

Original meaning: 休 (휴 - to rest, to pause) + 學 (학 - to study, learning) + 하다 (to do).

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based Korean).

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when asking why someone took a leave; it could be due to painful health or financial issues, or military service they didn't enjoy.

Unlike the Western 'Gap Year' which usually happens before university, '휴학' happens during university.

Drama 'Cheese in the Trap': The main character Hong Seol takes a leave of absence due to financial issues. Webtoon 'College Life': Frequently depicts the struggles of '휴학생' trying to fit back in after returning. Song 'Hyu-hak' (various indie artists): Often themes of burnout and finding oneself.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University Administration

휴학 신청 기간이 언제인가요?
휴학 서류를 제출해야 해요.
온라인으로 휴학 신청이 가능합니까?
휴학 연장 신청을 하고 싶습니다.

Talking to Friends

너 이번에 휴학해?
나 휴학하고 세계 일주 갈 거야.
휴학하니까 너무 좋다.
복학하기 싫어서 휴학 연장했어.

Military Service

군대 가려고 휴학했어요.
군 휴학은 기간이 어떻게 되나요?
입영 통지서가 나와서 휴학해야 해요.
제대하고 바로 복학할 거야?

Job Hunting/Career

인턴 하려고 휴학했어요.
취업 준비 때문에 휴학이 길어졌네요.
휴학 기간 동안 자격증을 많이 땄어요.
휴학이 경력에 도움이 될까요?

Health Issues

몸이 안 좋아서 한 학기 휴학하기로 했어.
병원 진단서가 있으면 질병 휴학이 가능해.
건강 회복을 위해 휴학이 필요해요.
휴학하고 푹 쉬었더니 좋아졌어.

Conversation Starters

"혹시 대학교 다닐 때 휴학해 본 적 있어요?"

"요즘 대학생들이 휴학을 많이 하는 이유가 뭐라고 생각하세요?"

"제가 이번에 휴학을 고민 중인데, 조언 좀 해주실 수 있나요?"

"휴학 기간 동안 가장 하고 싶은 일이 뭐예요?"

"군대 때문에 휴학하는 친구들이 주변에 많나요?"

Journal Prompts

만약 내가 1년 동안 휴학을 할 수 있다면, 어떤 계획을 세울지 구체적으로 적어보세요.

한국의 '휴학 문화'와 우리 나라의 교육 시스템을 비교해서 써보세요.

휴학이 인생에서 단순한 '쉼'인지 아니면 '준비'인지 자신의 생각을 논해보세요.

내가 휴학을 결심했던 (혹은 결심한다면) 가장 큰 이유는 무엇일까요?

휴학 후 학교로 돌아왔을 때 (복학) 느낄 것 같은 감정에 대해 써보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically yes, but it is much rarer. High school is compulsory in many ways, so leaving is usually called '자퇴' (dropping out) unless it's for a serious medical reason. '휴학' is overwhelmingly used for university students.

It depends on the university, but typically '일반 휴학' is limited to 4-6 semesters (2-3 years) in total. '군 휴학' (military leave) usually does not count toward this limit.

Generally, no. If you apply for leave *before* the semester starts, you don't pay. If you apply *after* paying and after the semester has started, you might get a partial refund or credit for when you return.

In Korea, not necessarily. If you use the time for 'spec-building' (internships, certificates, language study), it's seen as productive. If you have many years of unexplained '휴학', it might be questioned.

The word is '복학하다'. Example: '저 다음 학기에 복학해요.' (I'm returning to school next semester.)

It's similar in spirit but different in timing. A Gap Year is usually *between* high school and college. '휴학' is *during* college.

It is a specific type of leave for male students to fulfill their mandatory military service. They are guaranteed their spot back when they finish.

It is very difficult because their visa (D-2) is tied to being a full-time student. If they '휴학', they usually have to leave the country and re-apply for a visa to return.

You will be '제적' (removed from the school register), which is like being expelled for administrative reasons.

Usually yes, but sometimes a school might recommend '휴학' if a student has severe health issues or personal problems that prevent them from studying.