Korean Proverbs & World Proverbs 87

Korean Proverb : Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire

Korean Proverb Series 87Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire“아닌 땐 굴뚝에 연기 나랴”(Anin ttaen gulttuk-e yeongi narya)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “아닌 땐 굴뚝에 연기 나랴” literally means“Would smoke come out of a chimney if nothing were burning?”It expresses the idea that rumors or accusations usually have some underlying cause.While not every rumor is entirely true,persistent signs or rep..

Korean Proverb : Covering One’s Eyes and Saying “Awoong”

Korean Proverb Series 86Covering One’s Eyes and Saying “Awoong”“눈 가리고 아웅”(Nun garigo a-ung)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “눈 가리고 아웅” literally means“Covering one’s eyes and saying ‘awoong.’”It describes a situation where someone tries to deceive others with an obvious trick,pretending that a problem doesn’t exist or that the truth is hidden,even though everyone can clearly s..

Korean Proverb : Using a Cow-Killing Knife to Catch a Chicken

Korean Proverb Series 85Using a Cow-Killing Knife to Catch a Chicken“닭 잡는데 소 잡는 칼 쓴다”(Dak japneunde so japneun kal sseunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “닭 잡는데 소 잡는 칼 쓴다” literally means“Using a knife meant for killing a cow to catch a chicken.”It describes a situation where excessive tools, effort, or forceare used for a very small or simple task.The problem itself is mino..

Korean Proverb : It Depends on How You Frame It

Korean Proverb Series 84It Depends on How You Frame It“귀에 걸면 귀걸이, 코에 걸면 코걸이”(Gwie geolmyeon gwigeori, koe geolmyeon koggeori)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “귀에 걸면 귀걸이, 코에 걸면 코걸이” literally means“If you hang it on the ear, it becomes an earring;if you hang it on the nose, it becomes a nose ring.”It describes a situation where the same thing is interpreted differentlydepending..

Korean Proverb : Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

Korean Proverb Series 83Robbing Peter to Pay Paul“아랫돌 빼서 윗돌 괴기”(Aret-dol ppaeseo wit-dol goeggi)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “아랫돌 빼서 윗돌 괴기” literally means“Taking out the lower stone to support the upper stone.”It describes a short-sighted solution that fixes one problem by creating another.Instead of solving the root cause, one merely shifts the burden elsewhere,leaving t..

Korean Proverb : Rice Cake in a Painting

Korean Proverb Series 82Rice Cake in a Painting“그림의 떡”(Geurim-ui tteok)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “그림의 떡” literally means“Rice cake in a painting.”It refers to something that looks attractive but cannot be used or enjoyed —a beautiful illusion with no practical value.Just like a painted rice cake cannot satisfy hunger,some promises or opportunities exist only in appearan..

Korean Proverb : Won’t Believe It Even If You Say You Make Soy Paste with Beans

Korean Proverb Series 81Won’t Believe It Even If You Say You Make Soy Paste with Beans“콩으로 메주를 쑨다 해도 안 믿는다”(Kong-euro mejureul ssunda haedo an midneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “콩으로 메주를 쑨다 해도 안 믿는다” literally means“They won’t believe it even if you say you made fermented soybean bricks from beans.”Because meju (메주) is made from beans,this proverb describes someone who..

Korean Proverb : A Drowning Person Will Even Grab at Straw

Korean Proverb Series 80A Drowning Person Will Even Grab at Straw“물에 빠지면 지푸라기라도 잡는다”(Mure ppajimyeon jipulagirado jabneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “물에 빠지면 지푸라기라도 잡는다” literally means“A drowning person will even grab at straw.”It describes how someone in desperate circumstanceswill cling to anything — even something useless or unreliable —in the hope that it might sav..

Korean Proverb : Slapped in Jongno, Glare at the Han River

Korean Proverb Series 79Slapped in Jongno, Glare at the Han River“종로에서 뺨 맞고 한강 가서 눈 흘긴다”(Jongno-eseo ppyam matgo Hangang gaseo nun heul-ginda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “종로에서 뺨 맞고 한강 가서 눈 흘긴다” literally means“Being slapped in Jongno, then going to the Han River to glare.”It describes someone who cannot confront the person who actually wronged them,so they express anger e..

Korean Proverb : Picking Your Teeth After Drinking Cold Water

Korean Proverb Series 78Picking Your Teeth After Drinking Cold Water“냉수 먹고 이쑤신다”(Naengsu meokgo issu-sinda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “냉수 먹고 이쑤신다” literally means“Picking your teeth after drinking only cold water.”It humorously describes someone pretending to have eaten something fancyor acting as if they have achieved something,even when nothing has actually happened.In..