Korean Dictionary
How to say "Throw in the Towel" in Korean
“Throw in the Towel” in Korean is 포기하다 (pronounced "Pogihada").
포기하다
Pogihada
Usage & Context
Throwing in the towel means giving up or admitting defeat. In Korean culture where perseverance is highly valued, this expression carries significant weight.
Example Sentence
힘들어도 쉽게 포기하지 마세요.
Even if it is hard, don't easily throw in the towel.
How to use 포기하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Throw in the Towel” is 포기하다, romanized as Pogihada.
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 포기하다.
Pronunciation Guide
The word is 'Po-gi-ha-da'. 'Po' sounds like 'poe', 'gi' like 'gee', 'ha' like 'hah', and 'da' like 'dah'. The pronunciation is straightforward with relatively even stress on each syllable.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
포기하십니다 / 포기하세요
Pogihasipnida / Pogihaseyo
Polite forms of the verb '포기하다'.
Casual (반말)
포기해
Pogihae
Casual form of the verb '포기하다'.
More Example Sentences
Encouraging someone to persevere.
아무리 힘들어도 꿈을 포기하지 마세요.
No matter how hard it is, don't give up on your dream.
Expressing frustration about a challenging task.
이번 프로젝트는 너무 어려워서 포기할까 생각 중이에요.
This project is too difficult, so I'm thinking of giving up.
Praising someone's determination and effort.
그는 마지막까지 포기하지 않고 최선을 다했어요.
He did his best without giving up until the very end.
Cultural Context
In Korean society, perseverance (끈기, kkeungi) and not giving up (포기하지 않다) are highly valued virtues, often emphasized in education, sports, and career development. The phrase '포기하지 마!' (Don't give up!) is a common encouragement in K-pop lyrics, K-dramas, and among friends. While '포기하다' literally means 'to give up,' it can carry a slightly more negative connotation than 'throw in the towel' in English, implying a lack of effort or will, especially when it comes to personal goals.
Editorial note
We review entries like 포기하다 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
절대 포기하지 마.
Never give up.
쉽게 포기하지 마세요.
Don't give up easily.
포기하면 안 돼.
You shouldn't give up.
Related Expressions
단념하다
Danyeomhada
To abandon, to give up (often hopes/plans)
항복하다
Hangbokhada
To surrender, to yield (more about defeat in conflict)
계속하다
Gyesokhada
To continue (antonym)
도전하다
Dujeonhada
To challenge, to attempt (antonym concept)
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Throw in the Towel and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
