Korean Dictionary
How to say "School refusal" in Korean
“School refusal” in Korean is 등교 거부 (pronounced "Deunggyo geoboo").
등교 거부
Deunggyo geoboo
Usage & Context
When a child refuses to attend school. School refusal can be caused by bullying, anxiety, or other issues.
Example Sentence
등교 거부는 심각한 문제입니다.
School refusal is a serious issue.
How to use 등교 거부 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “School refusal” is 등교 거부, romanized as Deunggyo geoboo.
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 등교 거부.
Pronunciation Guide
등교 (Deunggyo) sounds like 'dung' as in 'dungaree' followed by 'gyo' as in 'yo' but with a 'g' sound. 거부 (geobu) sounds like 'guh-boo'. Each syllable is pronounced with even timing.
More Example Sentences
Discussing support services available for affected students.
등교 거부 학생들을 위한 상담 프로그램이 있습니다.
There are counseling programs for students with school refusal.
A parent expressing concern about their child's sudden change in behavior.
아이가 갑자기 등교 거부를 해서 걱정이에요.
My child suddenly started refusing to go to school, so I'm worried.
Explaining that the issue can stem from multiple factors.
등교 거부는 다양한 원인으로 발생할 수 있습니다.
School refusal can occur due to various causes.
Cultural Context
In South Korea, '등교 거부' is a serious concern, often linked to the intense academic pressure (학업 스트레스) and competitive school environment. Bullying (학교 폭력) is another significant factor. It's increasingly recognized as a psychological issue requiring professional intervention, with schools and counseling centers (상담 센터) offering support rather than simply dismissing it as truancy.
Editorial note
We review entries like 등교 거부 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
등교 거부 증상
symptoms of school refusal
등교 거부 상담
counseling for school refusal
등교 거부 극복
overcoming school refusal
Related Expressions
학교 공포증
hakgyo gongpojeung
school phobia
학교 부적응
hakgyo bujeogeung
school maladjustment
학업 스트레스
hageop seuteureseu
academic stress
학교 폭력
hakgyo poknyeok
school bullying
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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