TraditionalWisdom 25

Korean Proverb : Rice Cake in a Painting

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 : Won’t Believe It Even If You Say You Make Soy Paste with Beans

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 : A Drowning Person Will Even Grab at Straw

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 : Slapped in Jongno, Glare at the Han River

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 : Picking Your Teeth After Drinking Cold Water

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 : Don’t Stare at a Tree You Can’t Climb

Korean Proverb Series 77Don’t Stare at a Tree You Can’t Climb“오르지 못할 나무는 쳐다보지도 마라”(Oreuji mothal namuneun chyeodaboji-do mara)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “오르지 못할 나무는 쳐다보지도 마라” literally means“Don’t even look at a tree you can’t climb.”It teaches the wisdom of not wasting time or energy on impossible goals,or desires far out of reach.Instead of pursuing fantasies or unreal..

Korean Proverb : One Word Makes All the Difference

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 : A Dragon Rises from a Small Stream

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..

Korean Proverb : Even a School Dog Recites Poetry After Three Years

Korean Proverb Series 74Even a School Dog Recites Poetry After Three Years“서당 개 삼 년에 풍월 읊는다”(Seodang gae samnyeon-e pungwol eulpneunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “서당 개 삼 년에 풍월 읊는다” literally means“Even a dog at a village school recites poetry after three years.”It teaches that anyone can learn simply by being exposed to something long enough,even if they are not intentio..

Korean Proverb : Not Knowing the Letter ‘ㄱ’ Even with a Sickle Laid Down

Korean Proverb Series 73Not Knowing the Letter ‘ㄱ’ Even with a Sickle Laid Down“낫 놓고 기역자도 모른다”(Nat nokko giyeokjado moreunda)🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core MeaningThe Korean proverb “낫 놓고 기역자도 모른다” literally means“Even with a sickle laid down, one doesn’t recognize the letter ‘ㄱ’.”Since the Korean letter ‘ㄱ’ resembles the shape of a sickle,this saying refers to someone who is extremely ignorantor doe..