🧠 Korean Proverbs and Their Everyday Use

μ΄μˆœμ‹  μž₯κ΅° 동상 이미지


Proverbs are short, wise sayings that carry deep meanings, and Korean is full of them! Learning these expressions helps you understand Korean culture, values, and how people think. Plus, they make your speech sound more natural and thoughtful.


πŸ“˜ Table of Contents


πŸ” 1. Why Learn Korean Proverbs?

Proverbs reflect Korean traditions, Confucian values, and the importance of relationships. They are commonly used in conversations, dramas, and even business settings. Understanding them gives you an edge when navigating Korean communication styles.


πŸ’¬ 2. 10 Useful Korean Proverbs

  • ν‹°λŒ λͺ¨μ•„ νƒœμ‚° (tikkeul moa taesan) – "Dust gathered becomes a mountain."
    πŸ”Έ Even small efforts add up over time.
  • κ°€λŠ” 말이 고와야 μ˜€λŠ” 말이 κ³±λ‹€ (ganeun mari gowaya oneun mari gopda) – "If the outgoing words are kind, the incoming words will be kind too."
    πŸ”Έ Speak nicely if you want others to be kind to you.
  • ν˜Έλž‘μ΄λ„ 제 말 ν•˜λ©΄ μ˜¨λ‹€ (horangido je mal hamyeon onda) – "Speak of the tiger, and it appears."
    πŸ”Έ Like "speak of the devil" in English.
  • 백문이 λΆˆμ—¬μΌκ²¬ (baegmuni bulyoilgyeon) – "Hearing something 100 times is not as good as seeing it once."
    πŸ”Έ Seeing is believing.
  • 개ꡬ리 μ˜¬μ±™μ΄ 적 생각 λͺ» ν•œλ‹€ (gaeguri olchaengi jeok saenggak mot handa) – "The frog forgets when it was a tadpole."
    πŸ”Έ Don’t forget your humble beginnings.
  • μ›μˆ­μ΄λ„ λ‚˜λ¬΄μ—μ„œ 떨어진닀 (wonsungido namueseo tteoreojinda) – "Even monkeys fall from trees."
    πŸ”Έ Everyone makes mistakes.
  • λ“±μž” 밑이 μ–΄λ‘‘λ‹€ (deungjan miti eodupta) – "It's dark under the lamp."
    πŸ”Έ You often miss what’s right in front of you.
  • ν•˜λŠ˜μ˜ 별 λ”°κΈ° (haneurui byeol ttagi) – "Like picking a star from the sky."
    πŸ”Έ Something that’s nearly impossible.
  • λ‚¨μ˜ 떑이 더 컀 보인닀 (namui tteogi deo keo boinda) – "Other people’s rice cakes look bigger."
    πŸ”Έ The grass is greener on the other side.
  • λ²ΌλŠ” μ΅μ„μˆ˜λ‘ 고개λ₯Ό μˆ™μΈλ‹€ (byeoneun ikeulsurok gogaereul suginda) – "As rice ripens, it lowers its head."
    πŸ”Έ The more mature or wise a person is, the more humble they are.


πŸ’‘ 3. Did You Know?

Did you know that Korea’s educational system often teaches proverbs in textbooks and entrance exam prep? Many parents use them in everyday life to teach kids life lessons. Learning proverbs is like unlocking cultural secrets! πŸ—️

Thanks for reading! 🌟 I hope these Korean proverbs help you speak more wisely and connect with Korean culture on a deeper level. Keep reading, keep learning, and see you in the next post! 😊

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