Korean Dictionary
How to say "Retirement" in Korean
“Retirement” in Korean is 퇴직 (pronounced "toejik").
퇴직
toejik
Usage & Context
The end of one's career and working life. Retirement in Korea is often marked by company celebrations and ceremonies. The retirement age is typically 60 but varies by company.
Example Sentence
내년에 퇴직할 예정입니다.
I plan to retire next year.
How to use 퇴직 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Retirement” is 퇴직, romanized as toejik.
Usage tip
Business Korean usually needs polite or formal endings, especially in emails, meetings, and customer situations.
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 퇴직.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce "퇴직" as "Toe-jik." "Toe" rhymes with the English word "toe," and "jik" sounds like "jig" but with a softer 'j' and a short 'i' as in "sit." The stress is fairly even on both syllables.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
퇴직하십니다
toejik-hasimnida
This is the formal polite form of 'to retire' (퇴직하다), used when referring to someone else's retirement with respect.
Casual (반말)
퇴직해
toejik-hae
This is the casual form of 'to retire' (퇴직하다), used among close friends or family.
More Example Sentences
Talking about a parent's retirement to a friend.
아버지는 60세에 퇴직하셨어요.
My father retired at 60.
Sharing future plans and dreams with a colleague.
퇴직 후에는 세계 여행을 하고 싶어요.
After retirement, I want to travel the world.
Discussing company news or economic trends with a coworker.
명예 퇴직 신청자가 많다고 들었어요.
I heard there are many applicants for early retirement.
Cultural Context
In Korea, retirement (퇴직) is a significant life event, often marked by company farewell ceremonies (퇴직식) for long-serving employees. While the official retirement age is typically 60, many Koreans, especially those in physically demanding jobs or facing economic pressures, might consider '명예 퇴직' (myeongye toejik, early/honorary retirement) earlier. The concept of a '제2의 인생' (je-i-ui insaeng, second life) after retirement, where individuals pursue hobbies or new ventures, is increasingly popular, reflecting a shift from purely work-centric lives.
Editorial note
We review business terms like 퇴직 for formality, so the example fits emails, meetings, or workplace conversations instead of casual speech.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
퇴직 준비
Retirement preparation
퇴직 연금
Retirement pension
퇴직 후 삶
Life after retirement
Related Expressions
은퇴
eun-toe
Retirement (more general, can apply to athletes, artists)
정년
jeongnyeon
Retirement age
퇴직금
toejik-geum
Retirement severance pay
재취업
jaechwi-eop
Re-employment
More Business Words
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