🚨 Korean Emergency Numbers and What to Do

Take your Korean to the next level by learning advanced idiomatic expressions and traditional proverbs. Great for TOPIK 5–6 learners!

• 🟢 Introduction
• 📝 Must-Know Idioms
• 📚 Classic Korean Proverbs
• 💬 Practice Sentences
• 🧠 Did You Know?
• 💡 Final Thoughts

🟢 Introduction

To fully understand Korean media, literature, or professional conversation, it's essential to learn idiomatic expressions and traditional proverbs (속담). These linguistic tools reveal cultural nuance and help express complex ideas efficiently.

📝 Must-Know Idioms (관용어)

• 귀가 얇다 (Gwiga yalbda) – “To have thin ears” → Easily influenced by others
  예: 그는 귀가 얇아서 누구 말이든 다 믿어요.
  He’s easily swayed and believes whatever people say.
• 입에 침이 마르다 (Ibe chimi mareuda) – “Saliva dries from the mouth” → To compliment someone excessively
  예: 그는 새 상사를 입에 침이 마르도록 칭찬했다.
  He kept praising the new boss endlessly.
• 발등에 불이 떨어지다 (Baldeunge buri tteoreojida) – “Fire falls on one’s foot” → To be in urgent trouble
  예: 마감이 내일이라 발등에 불이 떨어졌어요.
  The deadline is tomorrow, so I’m in a serious rush.
• 허리를 굽히다 (Heorireul guphida) – “To bend one’s back” → To be extremely polite or submissive
  예: 그는 승진을 위해 허리를 굽히며 아부했다.
  He acted submissively to get a promotion.

📚 Classic Korean Proverbs (속담)

• 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다 (Ganeun mari gowaya oneun mari gobda) → Kind words beget kind responses
  If you speak nicely, others will respond kindly.
• 등잔 밑이 어둡다 (Deungjan michi eodubda) → The darkest place is under the lamp
  Sometimes you overlook what’s right in front of you.
• 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다 (Horangi-do je mal hamyeon onda) → Speak of the devil and he shall appear
  Used when someone you were just talking about appears.
• 빈 수레가 요란하다 (Bin surega yoranhada) → Empty wagons make the most noise
  People with little substance often boast the loudest.
• 낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다 (Natmareun saega deutgo bamareun jwiga deutneunda) → Birds hear what’s said in the day; mice hear what’s said at night
  Be careful what you say — someone’s always listening.

💬 Practice Sentences

• 요즘 회사 분위기가 너무 안 좋아서 입에 침이 마르도록 칭찬하는 것도 조심스러워요.
  (Yojeum hoesa bunwigiga neomu an joaseo ibe chimi mareudorok chingchanhaneun geotdo josimseureowoyo)
  The atmosphere at work is so tense lately that even praising someone feels risky.
• 시험이 내일인데 아직도 안 했다고? 너 지금 발등에 불 떨어졌구나!
  (Siheomi naeilinde ajikdo an haetdago? Neo jigeum baldeunge bul tteoreojyeotguna!)
  The exam is tomorrow and you haven't started? You're in big trouble!
• 그 사람은 빈 수레가 요란하다는 말이 딱 맞아. 아는 건 없는데 목소리만 커.
  (Geu sarameun bin surega yoranhadaneun mari ttak maja. Aneun geon eopneunde moksoriman keo.)
  He perfectly fits the saying “empty wagons make the most noise.” He doesn’t know much, but he’s loud.

🧠 Did You Know?

According to the National Institute of Korean Language, there are over 6,000 proverbs recorded in Korean, many of which date back to the Joseon Dynasty. They are often used in literature, political speeches, and K-dramas, making them essential for advanced learners aiming for fluency.

💡 Final Thoughts

Idioms and proverbs are not just linguistic decorations — they reflect deep cultural wisdom. Mastering these expressions will give you the power to interpret native-level texts and sound natural in advanced Korean conversations.

I hope that while reading various posts on my blog, you’ll learn Korean and grow to love Korea. As a Korean, I sincerely wish for that. Please come back anytime to discover new expressions and cultural insights!

👉 Check out related posts: Formal Debate Expressions in Korean | Understanding Korean Satire and Humor

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