취소하다(chwi-so-ha-da, chwisohada)
To actively cancel or stop something directly.
When to use
Subject cancels directly, Active action, Canceling appointments
The nuance
Used when the subject actively cancels a plan, appointment, or event.
취소하다 vs 취소되다: Active vs Passive Cancellation
취소하다 (chwi-so-ha-da, chwisohada) · 취소되다 (chwi-so-doe-da, chwisodoeda)
취소하다 (chwisohada) is active, meaning the subject cancels something directly, while 취소되다 (chwisodoeda) is passive, indicating something gets canceled.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
취소되다(chwi-so-doe-da, chwisodoeda)
To be canceled passively, without the subject's direct action.
When to use
Passive cancellation, Independent of subject's will, Cancellation by system or external factors
The nuance
Used in passive situations where cancellation happens to the subject.
Real-world examples
회의를 취소했다.
hoe-ui-reul chwi-so-haess-da., hoe ui reul chwi so haess da.
The subject actively canceled the meeting, so 취소하다 is correct.
회의가 취소되었다.
hoe-ui-ga chwi-so-doe-eoss-da., hoe ui ga chwi so doe eoss da.
The meeting was canceled passively, so 취소되다 is correct.
나는 약속이 취소했다.
na-neun yak-sok-i chwi-so-haess-da., na neun yak sok i chwi so haess da.
The appointment is the object, not the subject, so active 취소하다 can't be used. Correct: '약속을 취소했다'.
약속이 취소되었다.
yak-sok-i chwi-so-doe-eoss-da., yak sok i chwi so doe eoss da.
The appointment was canceled passively, so 취소되다 is correct.
나는 예약이 취소되었다.
na-neun ye-yak-i chwi-so-doe-eoss-da., na neun ye yak i chwi so doe eoss da.
'예약이 취소되었다' is passive; if subject is 'I', correct form is '예약을 취소했다'.
예약을 취소했다.
ye-yak-eul chwi-so-haess-da., ye yak eul chwi so haess da.
The subject actively canceled the reservation, so 취소하다 is correct.
행사가 취소되었다.
haeng-sa-ga chwi-so-doe-eoss-da., haeng sa ga chwi so doe eoss da.
The event was canceled passively, so 취소되다 is correct.
행사를 취소되었다.
haeng-sa-reul chwi-so-doe-eoss-da., haeng sa reul chwi so doe eoss da.
Active 취소하다 cannot be used with a subject in a passive sentence.
Quick quiz
Which sentence requires '취소하다'?
다음 중 '취소하다'를 써야 하는 문장은?(da-eumjung'chwi-so-ha-da'reulsseo-yaha-neunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'chwisohada'reulsseoyahaneunmunjangeun?)Which sentence correctly uses '취소되다'?
'취소되다'가 맞는 문장은?('chwi-so-doe-da'gamaj-neunmun-jang-eun?, 'chwisodoeda'gamajneunmunjangeun?)Which sentence has a different meaning from '예약을 취소했다'?
'예약을 취소했다'와 의미가 다른 문장은?('ye-yak-eulchwi-so-haess-da'waui-mi-gada-reunmun-jang-eun?, 'yeyakeulchwisohaessda'wauimigadareunmunjangeun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 취소하다 vs 환불받다: Canceling vs Getting a Refund
- 중단하다 vs 중단되다: Who Stops What?
- 분류하다 vs 분류되다: Active vs Passive Classification
- 만나다 vs 헤어지다: Meeting vs Parting
- 상환하다 vs 상환되다: Active vs Passive Repayment
- 제출하다 vs 제출되다: Active vs Passive Submission
- 입학하다 vs 졸업하다: Beginning and End of School Life
- 진료하다 vs 진료되다: Active vs Passive Differences