If you haven?t learned Korean proverbs yet, it isn?t too late. Better start now, rather than never!
Proverbs play a key role in Korean language and culture. Unfortunately, proverbs might be tricky and those figurative meanings could confuse Korean language learners. Here?s a list of the MOST POPULAR Korean proverbs. All the phrases are broken down into their smaller word parts. Enjoy!
???? ???? ???? / Even monkeys may fall from trees
1. ???? ???? ???? [wonsung-ido namueseo tteoreojinda]
Literal meaning : Even monkeys may fall from trees.
Monkeys are considered adept at climbing trees but even monkeys sometimes fall. This proverb is saying that even experts can make mistakes.
- ??? [wonsung-i] monkey
- ? [do] also, too
- ?? [namu] tree
- ?? [eseo] from
- ???? [tteoreojida] to fall
??? ? ?? / Plucking a star from the sky
2. ??? ? ?? [haneureui byeol ttagi]
Literal meaning : Plucking a star from the sky
This phrase roughly means ?to plunk or attain a star in the sky.?
You can use it when something is too difficult or (almost) impossible to get done.
- ?? [haneul] sky
- ? [eui] ?s (possessive marker)
- ? [byeol] star
- ?? [ttada] to plunk, to pick
?? ?? ? ? ??? / Others? rice cakes always look bigger
3. ?? ?? ? ? ??? [nameui tteogi deo keo boinda]
Literal meaning : Others? rice cakes always look bigger.
This proverb refers to when other people?s possessions always look better than your own, even when they are really not.
The ? (rice cake) in the phrase could be easily substituted with grass: The grass is always greener on the other side.
- ? [nam] other person
- ? [eui] ?s (possessive marker)
- ? [tteok] rice cake
- ? [i] (consonant +) subject marker
- ? [deo] more
- ?? [keuda] big
- ??? [boida] to be seen, to be looked, to be shown
??? ??? / Starting is the half
4. ??? ??? [shijagi banida]
Literal meaning : Starting is the half.
Getting started is often considered the hardest step. But once begun, it will move you forward easily. This phrase can be used to encourage someone who just started a task.
- ?? [shijak] start, beginning
- ? [i] (consonant +) subject marker
- ? [ban] half
Want more?
The Most Useful Korean Proverbs You Should Learn 2
The Most Useful Korean Proverbs You Should Learn 3
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