Korean Dictionary
How to say "Leaving the nest" in Korean
“Leaving the nest” in Korean is 집을 떠나기 (pronounced "Jibeul tteonagi").
집을 떠나기
Jibeul tteonagi
Usage & Context
When adult children move away from their parents' home. This is a significant transition in Korean families.
Example Sentence
아이가 집을 떠나 대학에 갑니다.
My child is leaving home to go to college.
How to use 집을 떠나기 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Leaving the nest” is 집을 떠나기, romanized as Jibeul tteonagi.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
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 집을 떠나기.
Pronunciation Guide
For '집을' (Jibeul), 'Jib' sounds like 'jib' in 'jibe' (the boat maneuver), and 'eul' is like 'uh-l' with a soft 'l'. For '떠나기' (tteonagi), 'tteo' is a tense 'tuh' sound (like the 't' in 'stop' but at the start), 'na' is like 'nah', and 'gi' is like 'gee' in 'geese'. Put it together: 'Jib-eul ttuh-nah-gee'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
집을 떠나요
Jibeul tteonayo
This is the polite form of 'to leave home'.
Casual (반말)
집을 떠나
Jibeul tteona
This is the casual form of 'to leave home'.
More Example Sentences
A student explaining why they moved out.
대학 때문에 집을 떠나야 했어요.
I had to leave home for college.
A parent reflecting on their children moving out.
아이들이 집을 떠나니 집이 조용해졌어요.
The house became quiet after the children left home.
A young adult discussing the challenges of moving out.
독립을 위해 집을 떠나는 건 쉽지 않아요.
Leaving home for independence isn't easy.
Cultural Context
In Korea, 'leaving the nest' (집을 떠나기) often happens later than in some Western cultures, especially for sons, due to strong family ties and economic factors. It's common for children to live with parents through college and even until marriage. The concept of 효도 (hyodo - filial piety) plays a significant role, where children are expected to care for their parents, and moving out often signifies a major step towards independence, sometimes accompanied by a sense of duty to return or support parents later.
Editorial note
We review entries like 집을 떠나기 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
집을 떠날 때
When leaving home
집을 떠나 독립하다
To leave home and become independent
부모님 곁을 떠나다
To leave one's parents' side
Related Expressions
독립하다
dokriphada
to become independent
자립하다
jariphada
to stand on one's own feet
귀가하다
gwigahada
to return home (antonym in a sense)
정착하다
jeongchakhada
to settle down
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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