Have you ever come across a Korean idiom that left you scratching your head? Expressions like "입이 무겁다" or "고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다" don’t always make sense when translated literally. But understanding these idioms is a fun and effective way to improve your Korean and connect more deeply with the culture. In this post, we’ll explore 10 commonly used Korean idioms that will help you sound more natural in everyday conversations continuing from the previous one.
61. 고생 끝에 낙이 온다 (gosaeng kkeute nagi onda)
Literal Translation: After hardship comes happiness.
Meaning: Enduring hardship will eventually lead to success or joy.
Example: 고생 끝에 낙이 온다. 힘든 시간이 지나면 좋은 일이 있을 거야.
(After hardship comes happiness. Good things will come after this tough time.)
62. 빈 수레가 요란하다 (bin surega yoranhada)
Literal Translation: An empty cart makes more noise.
Meaning: People with little knowledge or ability often make the most noise.
Example: 빈 수레가 요란하다, 그 사람이 떠드는 걸 보면 확실히 알 수 있다.
(An empty cart makes more noise, you can tell by how loudly he talks.)
63. 서당 개 삼 년에 풍월을 한다 (seodang gae sam nyeon-e pungworeul handa)
Literal Translation: Even a dog in a school will speak a proverb in three years.
Meaning: Even someone with little talent or experience will learn something after enough time.
Example: 서당 개 삼 년에 풍월을 한다. 계속 공부하면 어느 정도는 할 수 있을 거야.
(Even a dog in a school will speak a proverb in three years. If you keep studying, you'll learn eventually.)
64. 대기만성 (daegimanseong)
Literal Translation: Great talent takes time to mature.
Meaning: Some people show their potential later than others.
Example: 대기만성, 그는 늦게 꽃을 피운 사람이다.
(Great talent takes time to mature, he is someone who bloomed late.)
65. 누워서 침 뱉기 (nuwoseo chim baetgi)
Literal Translation: Spitting while lying down.
Meaning: Doing something that will eventually hurt yourself.
Example: 그런 행동은 누워서 침 뱉기와 같다.
(That behavior is like spitting while lying down. It will hurt you in the end.)
66. 불행은 혼자 오지 않는다 (bulhaengeun honja oji anhdanda)
Literal Translation: Misfortune does not come alone.
Meaning: Bad things tend to happen all at once.
Example: 불행은 혼자 오지 않는다. 일이 계속 안 풀린다.
(Misfortune doesn’t come alone. Everything seems to be going wrong.)
67. 귀가 가렵다 (gwiga garyeopda)
Literal Translation: My ears are itchy.
Meaning: Someone is talking about you.
Example: 귀가 가렵다. 누군가 나에 대해 말하고 있나?
(My ears are itchy. I wonder if someone is talking about me.)
68. 시작이 반이다 (sijagi banida)
Literal Translation: Starting is half the battle.
Meaning: The hardest part of any task is starting.
Example: 시작이 반이다. 지금 당장 시작하자!
(Starting is half the battle. Let’s begin now!)
69. 백문이 불여일견 (baegmuni bulyeoilgyeon)
Literal Translation: Seeing is believing.
Meaning: Hearing something a hundred times is not as good as seeing it once.
Example: 백문이 불여일견이다. 직접 경험해봐야 알 수 있다.
(Seeing is believing. You have to experience it firsthand to understand.)
70. 눈 가리고 아웅 (nun garigo aung)
Literal Translation: Closing your eyes and saying "meow."
Meaning: Pretending that something is not happening or pretending not to know.
Example: 눈 가리고 아웅 하지 말고 문제를 해결해야 한다.
(Don’t pretend like you don’t see it. We need to solve the problem.)
How many of these idioms can you start using in your next conversation? The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become in speaking Korean. Keep exploring, and soon, these idioms will feel like second nature!
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