Korean Proverb Series 4
Speak of the Tiger and It Appears
(Horangi-do je mal hamyeon onda · 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다)
🕰️ 1. The Proverb
The Korean proverb “호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다” literally means,
“Even a tiger appears when you speak of it.”
It conveys the idea that talking about someone often coincides with their sudden appearance.
🪄 2. Meaning & Lesson
- Words have an uncanny way of summoning the subject of discussion.
- The proverb cautions us to be mindful of our speech, especially when discussing others.
- At a deeper level, it reflects the cultural belief that language has power and consequences.
👀 3. Example from Life
- Friends gossip about a classmate, and the classmate unexpectedly walks into the room.
- Colleagues discuss their manager, and suddenly the manager appears.
- Family members talk about a relative, and soon that relative calls them on the phone.
🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World
🇺🇸 “Speak of the devil, and he will appear.” – The most direct English equivalent.
🇫🇷 “Quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue.” – “When one speaks of the wolf, one sees its tail.”
🇩🇪 “Wenn man vom Teufel spricht, kommt er gelaufen.” – “When you speak of the devil, he comes running.”
💬 A Warm Saying
“Words travel faster than footsteps—
speak kindly, for they may call forth the very person you name.”
📌 Note
This is a creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission.
Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.
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