손을 놓다.
Soneul nota.
Stop working.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase when someone stops working on a task, quits a job, or gives up on a project entirely.
- Means: To stop doing a task or to relinquish control over a project.
- Used in: Discussing retirement, quitting a hobby, or taking a break from chores.
- Don't confuse: With 'dropping something' physically; this is almost always about work or responsibility.
Explanation at your level:
意思
To cease one's work or relinquish control of a task.
文化背景
In Korea's competitive education system, '손을 놓다' is often used to describe 'Su-po-ja' (math abandoners)—students who give up on mathematics because it's too difficult. The idiom reflects the agrarian history where 'letting go of the plow' was the ultimate sign of retirement for a farmer. It is used when a 'Chaebol' (conglomerate) leader steps down from management, often due to age or scandal, to show they are no longer involved in daily operations. Korean parents are known for being deeply involved in their children's lives. '손을 놓다' is often used as advice for parents to let their adult children be independent.
Dropping the Particle
In casual speech, just say '손 놨어' (Son nwas-eo). It sounds much more natural than keeping the '을'.
Not for Accidents
If you drop your ice cream, do NOT say '손을 놓았어요'. People will think you had a deep philosophical reason for letting it fall.
意思
To cease one's work or relinquish control of a task.
Dropping the Particle
In casual speech, just say '손 놨어' (Son nwas-eo). It sounds much more natural than keeping the '을'.
Not for Accidents
If you drop your ice cream, do NOT say '손을 놓았어요'. People will think you had a deep philosophical reason for letting it fall.
Use with '완전히'
To sound like a native, add '완전히' (completely) before the phrase when talking about retirement.
The 'Su-po-ja' Context
If you hear someone say they 'let go of their hands' in school, they are likely talking about a specific subject they've given up on.
自我测试
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '손을 놓다'.
아버지는 작년에 회사를 은퇴하시고 일을 완전히 ( ).
The sentence refers to a past event (last year) and uses the honorific '아버지는', so '놓으셨어요' is the most appropriate.
Which situation best fits the idiom '손을 놓다'?
다음 중 '손을 놓다'를 사용하기 가장 적절한 상황은?
The idiom is used for stopping an activity or task, like quitting exercise.
Match the Korean sentence with its English meaning.
문장을 알맞은 뜻과 연결하세요.
공부 = study, 사업 = business, 집안일 = housework.
Complete the dialogue using '손을 놓다'.
가: 왜 요즘 피아노 안 쳐요? 나: 손목이 아파서 한동안 ( ).
The speaker is explaining why they stopped playing the piano.
Match the nuance of '손을 놓다' to the sentence.
문장의 뉘앙스를 고르세요. '시험이 내일인데 공부에서 손을 놓으면 어떡해?'
In this context, it implies neglecting or giving up on studies.
Choose the correct particle.
그는 10년 동안 하던 장사( ) 손을 놓았다.
The particle '에서' is used to indicate the field or task one is stopping.
🎉 得分： /6
视觉学习工具
Hand Idioms Comparison
常见问题
12 个问题No, it implies a more permanent or long-term stoppage. For a break, use '잠시 쉬다'.
It's not rude, but it's descriptive. If you say 'Boss, please let go of your hands,' it sounds like you're telling him to retire or stop interfering.
'그만두다' is a simple verb for 'to quit.' '손을 놓다' is more idiomatic and visual.
Usually no. For relationships, we use '헤어지다' (break up) or '손을 놓다' in a literal sense (letting go of hands while walking).
Not at all! It can mean a well-deserved retirement or a peaceful conclusion to a project.
You can say '손을 놓으려고 해요'.
No, '놓다' is a native Korean word. Only '손' has the Hanja {手}.
Yes! '다이어트에서 손을 놓았다' is a common way to say you've stopped dieting.
The opposite would be '손을 대다' (to start/touch a task) or '손을 붙이다'.
Very often, especially regarding economic strikes or politicians resigning.
Yes, you can say '오늘 하루 손을 놓고 쉬었어' (I did nothing and rested all day).
No, it is used by all age groups.
相关表达
{손|手}을 떼다
similarTo take one's hands off something.
{손|手}을 씻다
similarTo wash one's hands of something.
{손|手}을 젓다
contrastTo wave one's hand (to say no).
{손|手}을 붙이다
contrastTo start working on something.
{손|手}에 익다
builds onTo be used to something.
{손|手}을 거두다
specialized formTo withdraw help or stop an action.
在哪里用
Retiring from a long career
A: 김 선생님, 이제 은퇴하신다면서요?
B: 네, 30년 동안 하던 교육계에서 이제 {손|手}을 놓으려고 합니다.
Giving up on a difficult subject
A: 수학 공부는 잘 돼가?
B: 아니, 너무 어려워서 아예 {손|手}을 놓았어.
Neglecting housework
A: 집이 왜 이렇게 지저분해?
B: 요즘 회사 일이 너무 바빠서 집안일을 {손|手}을 놓고 살았어.
A manager stepping back
A: 부장님이 이번 프로젝트에서 {손|手}을 놓으신대요.
B: 정말요? 그럼 이제 누가 관리하죠?
Quitting a hobby
A: 기타 연주 안 하세요?
B: 손가락이 아파서 한동안 {손|手}을 놓았어요.
Parental advice
A: 우리 애가 걱정돼서 잠이 안 와요.
B: 이제 자녀분도 성인이니 그만 {손|手}을 놓으세요.
Burnout at work
A: 너 요즘 왜 이렇게 멍해?
B: 번아웃인가 봐. 모든 일에서 {손|手}을 놓고 싶어.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine you are holding a heavy 'SON' (son) and you 'NO-TA' (put it down) because you're tired of working.
Visual Association
A farmer standing in a field, dropping his shovel and walking away toward a sunset. The shovel represents the 'work' he is letting go of.
Rhyme
Work is done, let go of the {손|手} (son).
Story
Min-su was a famous baker. One day, his hands were too tired to knead dough. He said, 'I'm done,' and literally let go of the dough. From that day, he 'let go of his hands' (손을 놓다) from the bakery and moved to the beach.
Word Web
挑战
Try to describe one thing you 'let go of' this week (e.g., a diet, a video game, or a chore) using '손을 놓다' in a sentence.
In Other Languages
To wash one's hands of / To throw in the towel
Korean focuses on the cessation of labor, English often focuses on the avoidance of blame or admitting defeat.
手を引く (Te o hiku)
Japanese implies a 'pulling back' motion, Korean implies a 'releasing' motion.
撒手 (Sāshǒu)
Chinese can be a euphemism for death, whereas the Korean version is rarely used that way.
Baisser les bras
French emphasizes the loss of courage/will, Korean emphasizes the cessation of the task.
Lavarse las manos / Tirar la toalla
Spanish equivalents are more idiomatic and less likely to be used for simple retirement.
Die Hände in den Schoß legen
German implies idleness/passivity, Korean implies the act of stopping.
رفع يده عن (Rafa'a yadahu 'an)
Arabic uses 'raising' the hand, Korean uses 'releasing' the hand.
Lavar as mãos
Portuguese is limited to the 'responsibility' nuance.
Easily Confused
Both involve 'hands' and 'quitting.'
Use '씻다' (wash) for bad things (crime, gambling). Use '놓다' (release) for neutral/good things (jobs, hobbies).
Very similar meaning of stopping.
'떼다' (detach) is often about stopping an investment or a specific meddling. '놓다' (release) is about the work itself.
常见问题 (12)
No, it implies a more permanent or long-term stoppage. For a break, use '잠시 쉬다'.
It's not rude, but it's descriptive. If you say 'Boss, please let go of your hands,' it sounds like you're telling him to retire or stop interfering.
'그만두다' is a simple verb for 'to quit.' '손을 놓다' is more idiomatic and visual.
Usually no. For relationships, we use '헤어지다' (break up) or '손을 놓다' in a literal sense (letting go of hands while walking).
Not at all! It can mean a well-deserved retirement or a peaceful conclusion to a project.
You can say '손을 놓으려고 해요'.
No, '놓다' is a native Korean word. Only '손' has the Hanja {手}.
Yes! '다이어트에서 손을 놓았다' is a common way to say you've stopped dieting.
The opposite would be '손을 대다' (to start/touch a task) or '손을 붙이다'.
Very often, especially regarding economic strikes or politicians resigning.
Yes, you can say '오늘 하루 손을 놓고 쉬었어' (I did nothing and rested all day).
No, it is used by all age groups.
