Meaning and Usage
The verb '그만두다' means to stop, quit, or discontinue an activity or a job. It is commonly used when someone decides to end something they have been doing, such as work, a habit, or an activity.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '그만두다' in conversations about quitting jobs, stopping a habit, or discontinuing an action. It can be used both formally and informally depending on the context.
Collocations and Patterns
- '회사를 그만두다': to quit a company/job
- '운동을 그만두다': to stop exercising
- '그만두지 마세요': please don’t quit
These collocations show how '그만두다' pairs naturally with nouns describing activities or roles.
Nuances and Tips
When using '그만두다', the speaker often implies a deliberate decision to stop something. It is different from just pausing temporarily; it usually means a more permanent or definite stop.
A common learner mistake is confusing '그만두다' with '멈추다' (to stop temporarily). Remember, '그만두다' often implies quitting or giving up entirely, not just stopping momentarily.