📘 Mastering Idiomatic Expressions and Proverbs(Advanced Level TOPIK 5-6)
🎓 Lesson 24: Korean Idioms & Proverbs for Advanced Learners (TOPIK 5–6)
Unlock native-level fluency and boost your TOPIK II score by mastering the cultural "hidden codes" of the Korean language.
Do you want to sound less like a textbook and more like a real Korean speaker? Idioms (관용어) and proverbs (속담) are the secret weapons of advanced learners. They appear in news editorials, complex essays, and TOPIK II writing tasks. Using them correctly instantly demonstrates that you understand the underlying cultural mindset of Korea, not just its grammar rules.
1. Concept & Linguistic Function
관용어 (Idioms): Fixed phrases whose meanings are figurative and cannot be derived from individual words.
Example: 귀가 얇다 (Thin ears) = Easily influenced.
속담 (Proverbs): Short, traditional sayings that offer moral lessons or social observations.
Example: 등잔 밑이 어둡다 (It’s darkest under the lamp) = Overlooking the obvious.
2. Real-Life Examples for Advanced Proficiency
🔥 Idioms for Urgent Situations
발등에 불이 떨어지다 (Fire falls on the bridge of the foot)
This expression perfectly visualizes a state of extreme urgency. Use this when discussing deadlines or social crises in your essays.
🎯 Essential Top 10 Idioms for Advanced Fluency
These 10 expressions are frequently used in modern Korean society. Master these to sound like a natural-born speaker.
Literal: To have high eyes
Meaning: To have high standards or to be picky (often used regarding partners or fashion).
Literal: To have wide feet
Meaning: To be well-connected or have a wide social circle.
Literal: To have a heavy mouth
Meaning: To be good at keeping secrets. (Opposite: 입이 가볍다)
Literal: To have big hands
Meaning: To be generous, especially when preparing food or giving gifts.
Literal: To have a high bridge of the nose
Meaning: To be arrogant or proud.
Literal: The belly button is bigger than the belly
Meaning: When the incidental costs or side issues are larger than the main thing.
Literal: To tilt one's ear
Meaning: To listen carefully or pay close attention to someone.
Literal: To have heavy shoulders
Meaning: To feel a heavy sense of responsibility or burden.
Literal: To screen/cover one's face
Meaning: To be shy with strangers.
Literal: To eat banquet noodles
Meaning: To get married. (Often used as a question: "언제 국수 먹여 줄 거야?" = When are you getting married?)
📢 Proverbs for Communication & Social Behavior
| Proverb | English Equiv. / Meaning |
|---|---|
| 빈 수레가 요란하다 | Empty vessels make the most noise |
| 낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다 | Walls have ears (Be careful with gossip) |
| 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다 | Kindness begets kindness |
3. Advanced Practice Dialogue
A: 이번 프로젝트 마감이 내일인데 아직 시작도 못 했어요. 발등에 불이 떨어졌네요.
B: 저런, 정말 급하시겠어요. 하지만 빈 수레가 요란하다는 말처럼 급하다고 소문만 내지 말고 지금 바로 집중해서 시작해 보세요.
A: 네, 조언 감사합니다. 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다고, 좋게 말씀해 주시니 힘이 나네요.
👩🏫 Teacher Hoon's TOPIK Writing Strategy
For TOPIK Ⅱ Question 54 (Essay), try using a proverb in the Intro (서론) or Conclusion (결론).
Template: "옛 속담에 '________'라는 말이 있듯이, 현대 사회에서도 이 문제는 매우 중요합니다."
This structure proves to the grader that you possess C2-level cultural literacy.
4. Cultural Roots: 6,000 Proverbs
Did you know there are over 6,000 recorded proverbs in the Korean language? Most of them originate from the Joseon Dynasty and reflect agricultural life, Confucian values, and communal harmony. Mastering even 10–20 of these will allow you to "read between the lines" in political news and complex literary texts.
🚀 Elevate Your Korean to the Top Level
Are you aiming for TOPIK 6? Let's perfect your essay writing and sophisticated conversation skills using advanced idioms. Book a "Professional Korean Mastery" session with Hoon on italki today.
Achieve TOPIK Level 6 with HoonUpdated: December 23, 2025 | Part of the "Mastering Advanced Korean" Hub.
