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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..

Korean Proverb Series 84It Depends on How You Frame It“귀에 걸면 귀걸이, 코에 걸면 코걸이”(Gwie geolmyeon gwigeori, koe geolmyeon koggeori)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “귀에 걸면 귀걸이, 코에 걸면 코걸이” literally means“If you hang it on the ear, it becomes an earring;if you hang it on the nose, it becomes a nose ring.”It describes a situation where the same thing is interpreted differentlydepending..

Korean Proverb Series 83Robbing Peter to Pay Paul“아랫돌 빼서 윗돌 괴기”(Aret-dol ppaeseo wit-dol goeggi)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “아랫돌 빼서 윗돌 괴기” literally means“Taking out the lower stone to support the upper stone.”It describes a short-sighted solution that fixes one problem by creating another.Instead of solving the root cause, one merely shifts the burden elsewhere,leaving t..

Korean Proverb Series 82Rice Cake in a Painting“그림의 떡”(Geurim-ui tteok)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “그림의 떡” literally means“Rice cake in a painting.”It refers to something that looks attractive but cannot be used or enjoyed —a beautiful illusion with no practical value.Just like a painted rice cake cannot satisfy hunger,some promises or opportunities exist only in appearan..

Korean Proverb Series 81Won’t Believe It Even If You Say You Make Soy Paste with Beans“콩으로 메주를 쑨다 해도 안 믿는다”(Kong-euro mejureul ssunda haedo an midneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “콩으로 메주를 쑨다 해도 안 믿는다” literally means“They won’t believe it even if you say you made fermented soybean bricks from beans.”Because meju (메주) is made from beans,this proverb describes someone who..

Korean Proverb Series 80A Drowning Person Will Even Grab at Straw“물에 빠지면 지푸라기라도 잡는다”(Mure ppajimyeon jipulagirado jabneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “물에 빠지면 지푸라기라도 잡는다” literally means“A drowning person will even grab at straw.”It describes how someone in desperate circumstanceswill cling to anything — even something useless or unreliable —in the hope that it might sav..

Korean Proverb Series 79Slapped in Jongno, Glare at the Han River“종로에서 뺨 맞고 한강 가서 눈 흘긴다”(Jongno-eseo ppyam matgo Hangang gaseo nun heul-ginda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “종로에서 뺨 맞고 한강 가서 눈 흘긴다” literally means“Being slapped in Jongno, then going to the Han River to glare.”It describes someone who cannot confront the person who actually wronged them,so they express anger e..

Korean Proverb Series 78Picking Your Teeth After Drinking Cold Water“냉수 먹고 이쑤신다”(Naengsu meokgo issu-sinda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “냉수 먹고 이쑤신다” literally means“Picking your teeth after drinking only cold water.”It humorously describes someone pretending to have eaten something fancyor acting as if they have achieved something,even when nothing has actually happened.In..

Korean Proverb Series 76One Word Makes All the Difference“아 다르고 어 다르다”(A dareugo eo dareuda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “아 다르고 어 다르다” literally means“‘Ah’ is different from ‘Uh.’”It emphasizes that even small changes in wording or tonecan completely alter the meaning of what we say.A single syllable, a subtle nuance,or the way one expresses somethingcan create harmony — o..

Korean Proverb Series 75A Dragon Rises from a Small Stream“개천에서 용 난다”(Gaecheon-eseo yong nanda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “개천에서 용 난다” literally means“A dragon emerges from a small creek.”It describes a person who rises from humble beginningsto achieve remarkable success, influence, or greatness.Despite having no privilege or resources,they rise through talent, effort, an..