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In Korean, 방학 (banghak) and 휴가 (hyuga) both mean vacation, but they are used in different contexts and have distinct meanings.
- 방학 (Banghak) is primarily used in the context of educational institutions. It refers to the break periods between school terms or semesters, such as summer vacation (여름 방학, yeoreumbanghak) and winter vacation (겨울 방학, gyeoulbanghak).
- 휴가 (Hyuga) is used in the context of work and employment. It refers to time off from work, which can range from a few days to a couple of weeks. This includes annual leave, personal days, and holidays. 휴가 can also be used more generally to refer to any vacation.
So, while both terms translate to “vacation,” “방학” is used for school-related breaks, and “휴가” is used for work-related vacations or leaves, or holidays and vacations in general.
