Korean Proverbs & World Proverbs 70

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,..

Korean Proverb : A Living Mouth Won’t Be Webbed by Spiders

Korean Proverb Series 67A Living Mouth Won’t Be Webbed by Spiders“산 입에 거미줄 치랴”(San ibe geomijul chirya)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “산 입에 거미줄 치랴” literally means“A living mouth will not be covered with spider webs.”It expresses the idea that as long as a person is alive,they will somehow manage to survive —through effort, creativity, or even unexpected opportunities.This p..

Korean Proverb : Interpretation Matters More Than the Dream

Korean Proverb Series 66Interpretation Matters More Than the Dream“꿈보다 해몽”(Kkumboda haemong)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “꿈보다 해몽” literally means“The interpretation is more important than the dream itself.”It teaches that how we interpret events matters more than the events themselves.A situation may be good or bad depending on the perspective we choose.Optimism can turn o..

Korean Proverb : You Reap What You Sow

Korean Proverb Series 65You Reap What You Sow“콩 심은 데 콩 나고 팥 심은 데 팥 난다”(Kong sim-eun de kong nago pat sim-eun de pat nanda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “콩 심은 데 콩 나고 팥 심은 데 팥 난다” literally means“If you plant beans, beans will grow; if you plant red beans, red beans will grow.”It teaches that the outcome always matches the cause —what you do, say, or think determines what you..

Korean Proverb : There’s Always Someone Better

Korean Proverb Series 64There’s Always Someone Better“뛰는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있다”(Ttwineun nom wie naneun nom itda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “뛰는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있다” literally means“There’s someone flying above the one who’s running.”It teaches that no matter how skilled or capable one is,there is always someone greater, faster, or wiser.This saying encourages humility — reminding us not..

Korean Proverb : You Can’t Scoop Up Spilled Water

Korean Proverb Series 63You Can’t Scoop Up Spilled Water“엎질러진 물은 다시 담을 수 없다”(Eopjilleojin mur-eun dasi dameul su eopda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “엎질러진 물은 다시 담을 수 없다” literally means“Once water is spilled, you can’t put it back into the bowl.”It teaches that once something has happened, it cannot be undone —regret or denial cannot change the past.Instead of wasting energ..

Korean Proverb : You May Know Ten Depths of Water but Not One Depth of a Person’s Heart

Korean Proverb Series 62You May Know Ten Depths of Water but Not One Depth of a Person’s Heart“열 길 물속은 알아도 한 길 사람 속은 모른다”(Yeol gil mul-sogeun arado han gil saram sogeun moreunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “열 길 물속은 알아도 한 길 사람 속은 모른다” literally means“You can know the depth of ten rivers, but not the depth of one person’s heart.”It reflects the profound truth that human emo..

Korean Proverb : Even a Cow, Stepping Backward, Can Catch a Mouse

Korean Proverb Series 61Even a Cow, Stepping Backward, Can Catch a Mouse“소 뒷걸음에 쥐 잡는다”(So dwitgeoreume jwi japneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “소 뒷걸음에 쥐 잡는다” literally means“Even a cow, while stepping backward, can catch a mouse.”It refers to achieving success by pure accident or luck rather than skill or effort.In other words, sometimes people get things right by coinc..