Korean Proverb : You Can’t Scoop Up Spilled Water

Korean Proverb Series 63

You Can’t Scoop Up Spilled Water

“엎질러진 물은 다시 담을 수 없다”
(Eopjilleojin mur-eun dasi dameul su eopda)

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🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning

The 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 energy lamenting what’s lost,
we must accept reality and move forward wisely.

This proverb emphasizes acceptance, responsibility, and learning from mistakes.

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🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson

▪️ What’s done is done — focus on what comes next.
▪️ Regret doesn’t fix mistakes; effort does.
▪️ Learn from the past, but don’t live in it.

The saying reminds us that clinging to the past only deepens pain.
Wisdom is found in acceptance and growth, not regret.

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👀 3. Real-Life Applications

▪️ A harsh word once spoken can’t be taken back — apologize, don’t deny.
▪️ A failed business decision can’t be reversed — analyze and improve for next time.
▪️ A missed opportunity can’t return — create new ones instead.

In every case, the lesson is clear:
face the present, not the past.

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🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World

▪️ United States / United Kingdom — “There’s no use crying over spilt milk.”
　→ Don’t waste tears on what cannot be changed.

▪️ China — “覆水难收 (Fù shuǐ nán shōu).”
　→ Spilled water cannot be gathered again.

▪️ Japan — “覆水盆に返らず (Fukusui bon ni kaerazu).”
　→ Spilled water will not return to the basin.

▪️ France — “Ce qui est fait est fait.”
　→ What’s done is done.

Across the world, people have long understood
that time and events move only one way — forward.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“The past cannot be changed,
but it can teach you how to build a better tomorrow.”

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📌 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.