Proverbs

literallyWinning is equal to losing

An expression used to advise that one may want to pretend to lose in a fight and put an end to it because there is no point in holding out to win.

literallysay this day or that day

To keep delaying something.

literallyEveryone has only one lifetime whether he/she lives it this way or that

An expression meaning everyone is equally given one life regardless of whether it is wealthy or not.

literallybe hungry at a famous party

For something to not live up to the reputation or expectation.

literallyknow neither the first name nor the family name of someone

A person whom one does not know at all.

literallyYou should look at a blanket and a mattress before you stretch out your feet

It is advised to consider the consequences of something before starting it.

literallyhave[taste] stomach acid between one's teeth

To be disgusted and fed up with something.

literallyNeighbors are better than relatives

You can have more affection for and a better relationship with the neighbors than the relatives who live far away, if you keep on good terms with them.

literallymake an absurd remark after eating cooked rice

To say something illogical.

literallyIn the life of a human, a seemingly unfortunate event may sometimes turn out to be a blessing in disguise; In life, there are always ups and downs

Good things and bad things come and go.

literallyA human being is a yardstick for all things

A human being is a standard of judgment on everything.

literallyfeeling a quarter of an hour as if it were three autumns

To eagerly wait for someone or something to such an extent that a very short time feels as long as three years.

literallymeet one's loved one as well as pick mulberries; to catch two pigeons with one bean; to kill two birds with one stone

An expression meaning two things are achieved at the same time.

literallyAppetite makes a side dish

If one has a good appetite, one will enjoy a meal without many side dishes.

literallyWhy don't you moisten your lips?

An expression used to criticize a person who tells a palpable lie.

literallyYour teeth will freeze if you do not have lips

For two things to be closely related to each other, so if one thing fails, the other one fails too.

literallyTteok, rice cake, that satisfies one's mouth

Something that catches one's fancy.

literallyBitter medicine is good for your body

An expression meaning another person's advice or criticism may hurt for the moment, but it will eventually benefit you if you try to understand what it really means.

literallytaste stomach acid in one's mouth

To be fed up with something.

literallyYou should[are advised to] speak the right words even if you have a crooked mouth

An expression used to advise that one should be frank or tell the truth in any circumstance.

literallyhave nothing to say even if one has ten mouths

To be unable to make any excuse because one's error was clearly revealed.

literallyspitting saliva on one's own face; cut off one's nose to spite one's face

An expression used to describe a situation where one's scheme to harm someone boomerangs and harms oneself.

literallybe struck by lightning while sleeping

To suffer unexpected trouble.

literallypound on a paper window while sleeping

To suddenly say or do something taken out of context.

literallyOnce startled by a softshell turtle, you will also be startled by a caldron lid

A person who was startled by something shudders at the sight of something else which looks similar to it.

literallyThere is no carefree day for parents with children

Worries about your children are endless.

literallyHaving no children is having good fortune; Little goods, little care

Being childless is carefree.

literallyYour child is yours only when he/she is in your bosom

Children obey their parents when they are young, but do as they want when they grow older.

literallyChildren are a source of anxiety

Children are always a cause of worry to their parents in a similar manner that one is always anxious that something precious might be damaged.

literallyYou will know your parents' love only after you raise your own child

A person can never realize how much his/her parents loved him/her before he/she raises his/her own child.

literallyA small red pepper is more spicy

A person of a small frame is more excellent and shrewd than one of a larger frame.

literallygo forward[go] well but stray to Samcheonpo Port

For a task or story to stray and develop in the wrong direction.

literallyA tree that will grow well can be known[recognized] even as a seed leaf; Sandalwood is fragrant even in seed leaf form; As the twig is bent, so grows the tree

A promising person stands out as a young child.

literallygiving credit to oneself[one's bliss] if something goes well while blaming the ancestors[others] if it goes wrong

To blame others when things go wrong.

literallyYou will become a loyal subject if you succeed, but a traitor if you fail

The argument and act of a person in power and authority is regarded as an absolute truth.

literallyas if a blind person touches an elephant

An expression used to criticize the attitude of a person who thinks he/she has the whole picture of something when he/she knows only some parts of it.

literallyA man would not ensheathe his sword once he has drawn it

An expression meaning that you should not give in to any obstacle in doing what you are determined to do.

literallyAn unlucky guy will break his nose even when he falls on his back; The bread always falls on the buttered side

You will fail in everything and even face unexpected misfortune if things are destined to go wrong.

literallyhave bad luck attached like an itch[attached]; What rotten luck!

To be very unlucky.

literallyA bear does a handspring and its owner takes the money; One beats the bush and another catches the birds

An expression used to describe a situation where a person is not paid for what he/she has done while another person wrongfully benefits from it.

literallyOne dislikes to eat it but does not want to give it to others [the dog]

An expression to describe a situation where someone is reluctant to give something to others although it is of no use to himself/herself.

literallyA person goes about his/her life thinking that he/she is somebody

An expression to describe the idea that everyone believes they are better than others.

literallyOne doesn't even find it hard when one enjoys doing it

An expression to describe the idea that one enjoys doing something challenging if it is what one wants to do.

literallyOne's journey toward death is thirty six thousand kilometers

An expression meaning one has a lot of days to live.

literallyA person who knows his/her enemy as well as himself/herself will win every single battle in one hundred battles

You will always win in a fight if you know yourself as well as your enemy.

literallyparting upon becoming attached

An expression used to describe a situation where two people part soon after they meet each other.

literallyexercise even the strength that was used to suckle the breast of one's mother

To devote all of one's energy and strength.

literallyhave something undone by one's own trick; The biter is bitten; Many go for wool and come home shorn

To be cheated by one's own trick that was devised to cheat someone.

literallyirrigate one's own rice paddy

An expression to describe the attitude of doing something only to one's own advantage.

literallyYou cannot pass your habit on to a dog

An expression meaning a bad habit that was acquired is hard to break.