Korean Proverbs & World Proverbs 104

Korean Proverb : Glasses Fit Only the Wearers Eyes

Korean Proverb Series 94Glasses Fit Only the Wearer’s Eyes“제 눈에 안경”(Je nun-e angyeong)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “제 눈에 안경” literally means“Glasses suit the eyes of the person wearing them.”It expresses the idea that each person has their own standard of preference or judgment.What looks beautiful, valuable, or acceptable to one personmay not seem the same to another.This..

Korean Proverb : A Drop of Blood on a Birds Foot

Korean Proverb Series 93A Drop of Blood on a Bird’s Foot“새 발의 피”(Sae bal-ui pi)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “새 발의 피” literally means“A drop of blood on a bird’s foot.”It describes something so small or insignificantthat it barely makes any difference at all.Just as a tiny drop of blood on a bird’s footis hardly noticeable,this proverb refers to an amount too little to matt..

Korean Proverb : Playing Both the Drum and the Gong Alone

Korean Proverb Series 92Playing Both the Drum and the Gong Alone“장구 치고 북 치고 혼자 다 한다”(Janggu chigo buk chigo honja da handa)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “장구 치고 북 치고 혼자 다 한다” literally means“Playing the janggu (hourglass drum) and the buk (barrel drum) all by oneself.”It describes a situation where one person takes on every role,handling everything alone — sometimes unnecess..

Korean Proverb : Whipping a Running Horse

Korean Proverb Series 91Whipping a Running Horse“말 달리는데 채찍질”(Mal dallineunde chaejjikjil)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “말 달리는데 채찍질” literally means“Whipping a horse that is already running.”It describes adding force or pressureto something that is already going well on its own.Rather than helping, such action is often unnecessaryand can even be excessive or counterproductiv..

Korean Proverb : If Things Go Wrong People Blame Their Ancestors

Korean Proverb Series 90If Things Go Wrong, People Blame Their Ancestors“안 되면 조상 탓 된다”(An doemyeon josang tat doenda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “안 되면 조상 탓 된다” literally means“If something doesn’t work out, people blame their ancestors.”It humorously criticizes the human tendencyto shift responsibility away from oneself when things go wrong.Instead of acknowledging mistak..

Korean Proverb : Enemies Meet on a Narrow Bridge

Korean Proverb Series 89Enemies Meet on a Narrow Bridge“원수는 외나무다리에서 만난다”(Wonsu-neun oenamudari-eseo mannanda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “원수는 외나무다리에서 만난다” literally means“Enemies meet on a narrow wooden bridge.”It expresses the idea that even if you try to avoid someone you dislike,fate may eventually bring you face to face —often in a situation where neither can escape.A..

Korean Proverb : Even a Mouse Hole Has Its Day of Sunshine

Korean Proverb Series 88Even a Mouse Hole Has Its Day of Sunshine“쥐구멍에도 볕 들 날 있다”(Jwigumeong-edo byeot deul nal itda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “쥐구멍에도 볕 들 날 있다” literally means“Even a mouse hole has a day when sunlight enters.”It expresses hope that even the most unfortunate or hidden placeswill eventually experience better days.No matter how small, poor, or unlucky some..

Korean Proverb : Where Theres Smoke Theres 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 Ones 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..