Korean Proverbs & World Proverbs 72

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,..

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..