Korean Dictionary
How to say "Break up" in Korean
“Break up” in Korean is 헤어지다 (pronounced "Heeojida").
헤어지다
Heeojida
Usage & Context
Ending a romantic relationship. The phrase 우리 헤어지자 (Let's break up) is one of the most emotionally charged sentences in Korean. K-dramas frequently feature dramatic breakup scenes. After breakups, Koreans commonly seek comfort in food (맵부심 — eating spicy food to cope) and friends.
Example Sentence
남자친구랑 헤어졌어요. 너무 슬퍼요.
I broke up with my boyfriend. I'm really sad.
How to use 헤어지다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Break up” is 헤어지다, romanized as Heeojida.
Usage tip
Relationship words can sound too direct if the social context is wrong. Check the age, closeness, and formality before using it.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 헤어지다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'heh-uh-jee-dah' — the first two syllables blend quickly ('heh-uh' almost becomes 'hyuh'), and 'jida' rhymes with 'pizza' without the first 'p.'
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
헤어집니다
heeojimnida
Formal/deferential ending; rare in romantic contexts, more common in announcements or narration
Casual (반말)
헤어져
heeojyeo
Very casual / command form — sharp and blunt, the tone used in dramatic breakup scenes
More Example Sentences
the classic K-drama breakup line
우리 이제 그만 헤어지자.
Let's break up now.
reflecting at a reunion with a friend
헤어진 지 벌써 일 년이 됐어요.
It's already been a year since we broke up.
venting to a close friend over drinks
헤어지고 나서 살이 엄청 빠졌어요.
I lost a ton of weight after breaking up.
Cultural Context
헤어지다 literally means 'to part/separate' and is used for breakups, farewells, and even people simply going their own ways after a meal. Romantically, Korea has a unique timing culture — many couples break up around the 100-day mark (백일) because that milestone raises expectations. The breakup often comes with 잠수이별 (ghosting, lit. 'submarine breakup') in texting culture, and post-breakup rituals include eating spicy 떡볶이 with friends or posting cryptic Instagram stories. The verb is soft and neutral; harsher alternatives like 차이다 (to be dumped) carry more sting.
Editorial note
We check relationship words like 헤어지다 against age, closeness, and politeness rules, because a literal English match often misses the social meaning.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
우리 헤어지자.
Let's break up.
헤어진 이유가 뭐예요?
Why did you break up?
헤어지고 싶지 않아요.
I don't want to break up.
Related Expressions
차이다
chaida
to be dumped
이별
ibyeol
parting / separation (noun)
사귀다
sagwida
to date / to be in a relationship (antonym)
잠수이별
jamsu ibyeol
ghosting (lit. 'submarine breakup')
More Relationships Words
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