Korean Proverbs & World Proverbs 87

Korean Proverb : Don’t Stare at a Tree You Can’t Climb

Korean Proverb Series 77Don’t Stare at a Tree You Can’t Climb“오르지 못할 나무는 쳐다보지도 마라”(Oreuji mothal namuneun chyeodaboji-do mara)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “오르지 못할 나무는 쳐다보지도 마라” literally means“Don’t even look at a tree you can’t climb.”It teaches the wisdom of not wasting time or energy on impossible goals,or desires far out of reach.Instead of pursuing fantasies or unreal..

Korean Proverb : One Word Makes All the Difference

Korean Proverb Series 76One Word Makes All the Difference“아 다르고 어 다르다”(A dareugo eo dareuda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “아 다르고 어 다르다” literally means“‘Ah’ is different from ‘Uh.’”It emphasizes that even small changes in wording or tonecan completely alter the meaning of what we say.A single syllable, a subtle nuance,or the way one expresses somethingcan create harmony — o..

Korean Proverb : A Dragon Rises from a Small Stream

Korean Proverb Series 75A Dragon Rises from a Small Stream“개천에서 용 난다”(Gaecheon-eseo yong nanda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “개천에서 용 난다” literally means“A dragon emerges from a small creek.”It describes a person who rises from humble beginningsto achieve remarkable success, influence, or greatness.Despite having no privilege or resources,they rise through talent, effort, an..

Korean Proverb : Even a School Dog Recites Poetry After Three Years

Korean Proverb Series 74Even a School Dog Recites Poetry After Three Years“서당 개 삼 년에 풍월 읊는다”(Seodang gae samnyeon-e pungwol eulpneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “서당 개 삼 년에 풍월 읊는다” literally means“Even a dog at a village school recites poetry after three years.”It teaches that anyone can learn simply by being exposed to something long enough,even if they are not intentio..

Korean Proverb : Not Knowing the Letter ‘ㄱ’ Even with a Sickle Laid Down

Korean Proverb Series 73Not Knowing the Letter ‘ㄱ’ Even with a Sickle Laid Down“낫 놓고 기역자도 모른다”(Nat nokko giyeokjado moreunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “낫 놓고 기역자도 모른다” literally means“Even with a sickle laid down, one doesn’t recognize the letter ‘ㄱ’.”Since the Korean letter ‘ㄱ’ resembles the shape of a sickle,this saying refers to someone who is extremely ignorantor doe..

Korean Proverb : Looking for Scorched-Rice Tea at the Well

Korean Proverb Series 72Looking for Scorched-Rice Tea at the Well“우물가에서 숭늉 찾는다”(Umulga-eseo sungnyung channeunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “우물가에서 숭늉 찾는다” literally means“Looking for scorched-rice tea at the well.”It describes a situation where someone seeks something in a place where it clearly cannot be found —a mismatch between desire and reality.Just as scorched-rice..

Korean Proverb : No One Spits in a Smiling Face

Korean Proverb Series 71No One Spits in a Smiling Face“웃는 얼굴에 침 못 뱉는다”(Unneun eolgure chim mot baetneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “웃는 얼굴에 침 못 뱉는다” literally means“No one can spit at a smiling face.”It teaches that kindness disarms hostility.A warm smile softens anger, reduces tension,and makes it difficult for others to act with malice.This saying reminds us that gent..

Korean Proverb : Not Enough to Reach the Liver

Korean Proverb Series 70Not Enough to Reach the Liver“간에 기별도 안 간다”(Gane gibyeoldo an ganda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “간에 기별도 안 간다” literally means“It’s not enough to reach the liver.”In Korean culture, the liver is often associated withone’s energy, strength, or inner vitality.Thus this proverb describes something so small, weak, or insufficientthat it doesn’t make the ..

Korean Proverb : A Protruding Stone Gets Hammered First

Korean Proverb Series 69A Protruding Stone Gets Hammered First“모난 돌이 정 맞는다”(Monan dor-i jeong matneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “모난 돌이 정 맞는다” literally means“A stone that sticks out gets struck by the chisel first.”It teaches that those who stand out too much —whether by stubbornness, nonconformity, or sharp behavior —may attract criticism, conflict, or unwanted atten..

Korean Proverb : A Pestle Appears Out of Nowhere

Korean Proverb Series 68A Pestle Appears Out of Nowhere“아닌 밤중에 홍두깨”(Anin bamjung-e hongdukkae)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “아닌 밤중에 홍두깨” literally means“A pestle suddenly appears in the middle of the night.”It describes a situation where something completely unexpected or out of placehappens without warning.Much like a heavy wooden pestle inexplicably appearing in the dark,..