Proverbs
Figurative sayings settled by long use
Getting started is half the battle.
일단 등록부터 해. 시작이 반이야.— Just sign up first. Starting is half of it.
첫 줄만 쓰면 돼요. 시작이 반이잖아요.— You only need to write the first line. Starting is half the work.
Speak kindly and you will be spoken to kindly.
네가 먼저 소리를 질렀잖아. 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱지.— You raised your voice first. Kind words get kind words back.
손님한테 부드럽게 말씀하세요. 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱습니다.— Please speak gently to the customer. Kindness comes back as kindness.
Small amounts add up to a lot.
하루에 천 원씩만 모아 봐. 티끌 모아 태산이야.— Try saving just 1,000 won a day. It piles up.
매일 십 분씩 외웠더니 티끌 모아 태산이 됐어요.— I memorized ten minutes a day and it really added up.
Word travels fast — watch what you say.
그 얘기 아무한테도 하지 마. 발 없는 말이 천 리 간다.— Don't tell anyone that. Word travels fast.
말조심하세요. 발 없는 말이 천 리 갑니다.— Please watch your words. Rumors travel a thousand miles.
The extra cost outweighs the main one.
수리비가 차값보다 비싸네. 배보다 배꼽이 크다.— The repair costs more than the car. The tail is wagging the dog.
배송비가 물건값보다 비싸요. 배보다 배꼽이 큰 거죠.— Shipping costs more than the item itself.
Even experts make mistakes.
십 년 하신 분도 실수하시더라. 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어지지.— Even someone with ten years' experience slipped up. Even monkeys fall from trees.
너무 자책하지 마세요. 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어져요.— Don't beat yourself up. Everyone makes mistakes.
Locking the barn door after the horse has bolted.
사고 나고 나서야 난간을 달았대. 소 잃고 외양간 고치는 거지.— They put up the railing only after the accident. Too late.
미리 백업하세요. 소 잃고 외양간 고치면 늦습니다.— Please back it up now. Fixing it after the loss is too late.
Speak of the devil.
어, 왔네. 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다더니.— Oh, here he is. Speak of the devil.
방금 과장님 얘기했는데. 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다잖아요.— We were just talking about you. Speak of the devil.
Walls have ears.
여기서 그런 얘기 하지 마. 낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 들어.— Don't say that here. Walls have ears.
사무실에서는 조심하세요. 낮말은 새가 듣는다잖아요.— Be careful in the office. Walls have ears.
Many hands make light work.
같이 하자. 백지장도 맞들면 낫잖아.— Let's do it together. Many hands make light work.
제가 도와드릴게요. 백지장도 맞들면 낫습니다.— Let me help you. Two are better than one.
A frog in a well — someone with a narrow view of the world.
외국 나가 보니 내가 우물 안 개구리였어.— Going abroad showed me I was a frog in a well.
우물 안 개구리가 되지 않으려면 많이 보셔야 해요.— To avoid being a frog in a well, you have to see more.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
급하게 생각하지 마. 천 리 길도 한 걸음부터야.— Don't rush it. A thousand-mile road starts with one step.
오늘은 단어 열 개만 외우세요. 천 리 길도 한 걸음부터입니다.— Just memorize ten words today. Every journey starts with one step.
Joy comes after hardship.
조금만 더 버텨. 고생 끝에 낙이 온대.— Hang in there a bit longer. Good times come after hard ones.
이 시기만 지나면 괜찮아져요. 고생 끝에 낙이 옵니다.— Once this period passes it gets better. Hardship ends in joy.
The grass is always greener on the other side.
네 것도 똑같아. 남의 떡이 커 보이는 거야.— Yours is the same. The grass just looks greener.
다들 그렇게 느껴요. 남의 떡이 커 보이는 법이죠.— Everyone feels that way. The other side always looks better.
It's darkest under the lamp — you miss what is closest.
안경 머리 위에 있잖아. 등잔 밑이 어둡다니까.— Your glasses are on your head. It's darkest under the lamp.
가까운 사람일수록 모르더라고요. 등잔 밑이 어둡습니다.— We know the closest people least. It's darkest right under the light.
There is always someone better.
너무 자만하지 마. 뛰는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있어.— Don't get cocky. There's always someone better.
세상은 넓어요. 뛰는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있습니다.— The world is wide. There's always someone above you.
A kind word can settle a huge debt.
사과 한마디면 됐을 텐데. 말 한마디에 천 냥 빚도 갚는다잖아.— One apology would have done it. Words are worth a fortune.
말씀을 참 곱게 하시네요. 말 한마디에 천 냥 빚도 갚는답니다.— You speak so kindly. A good word can repay any debt.
Betrayed by the one you trusted most.
제일 친한 친구가 그랬대. 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 거지.— It was his closest friend. The axe he trusted cut his foot.
너무 다 믿지 마세요. 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힙니다.— Don't trust everyone. The ones you trust can hurt you most.
Empty vessels make the most noise.
말만 많고 하는 건 없어. 빈 수레가 요란하지.— All talk, no action. Empty carts rattle loudest.
떠드는 사람일수록 실속이 없어요. 빈 수레가 요란한 법이죠.— The loudest ones have the least substance.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
다들 한마디씩 하니까 진행이 안 되네. 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 가.— Everyone chimes in, so nothing moves. Too many cooks.
결정권자를 한 명만 두시죠. 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 갑니다.— Let's have one decision-maker. Too many hands ruin the work.
All hype, no substance.
기대했는데 별로였어. 소문난 잔치에 먹을 것 없더라.— I had high hopes but it was meh. All hype, no substance.
광고만 요란했네요. 소문난 잔치에 먹을 것 없습니다.— It was all advertising. The famous feast had nothing to eat.
Where there's smoke, there's fire.
소문이 계속 도는 거 보면, 아니 땐 굴뚝에 연기 나겠어?— The rumor keeps going around — where there's smoke, there's fire.
근거가 있으니 말이 나오는 거예요. 아니 땐 굴뚝에 연기 날까요.— People talk because there's something to it.
The example is set from the top.
팀장부터 지켜야지. 윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑아.— The team lead has to follow it first. Example starts at the top.
위에서 모범을 보이셔야 해요. 윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑습니다.— Leaders must set the example; the rest follow.
You reap what you sow.
공부 안 했으니 당연한 결과지. 콩 심은 데 콩 나는 거야.— You didn't study, so that's the result. You reap what you sow.
노력한 만큼 나옵니다. 콩 심은 데 콩 나고 팥 심은 데 팥 나죠.— You get out what you put in.
Every cloud has a silver lining; there is always a way out.
너무 걱정하지 마. 하늘이 무너져도 솟아날 구멍이 있어.— Don't worry so much. There's always a way out.
방법은 꼭 있어요. 하늘이 무너져도 솟아날 구멍이 있습니다.— There is definitely a way. Even if the sky falls, there's an exit.
A dragon rises from a small stream — a success story from humble roots.
그 집 아들이 판사 됐대. 개천에서 용 났네.— Their son became a judge. A dragon out of a ditch.
요즘은 개천에서 용 나기 힘들다고들 해요.— They say it's hard to rise from nothing these days.
A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
아무도 너라고 안 했는데. 도둑이 제 발 저리네.— Nobody said it was you. Guilty conscience.
괜히 먼저 변명하시네요. 도둑이 제 발 저린 겁니다.— You're defending yourself before anyone asked. Guilty conscience.
Look before you leap; double-check even the safe things.
계약서 다시 읽어 봐. 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너래.— Read the contract again. Better safe than sorry.
한 번 더 확인하세요. 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너야 합니다.— Please check once more. Test even a stone bridge before crossing.
Small thefts lead to big ones.
작은 거라도 손대지 마. 바늘 도둑이 소도둑 된다.— Don't touch it even if it's small. Little thefts grow.
지금 잡아 주셔야 해요. 바늘 도둑이 소도둑 됩니다.— You have to correct it now. A needle thief becomes an ox thief.
The riper the grain, the lower it bows — real skill comes with humility.
저분은 대단한데 늘 겸손하셔. 벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인대.— He's brilliant but always humble. The ripest grain bows lowest.
실력 있는 분일수록 조용하세요. 벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙입니다.— The most capable people are the quietest.
Badmouthing your own only shames yourself.
우리 회사 욕해 봤자 누워서 침 뱉기야.— Trashing our own company just spits back in your face.
가족 흉을 보는 건 누워서 침 뱉기예요.— Badmouthing family is airing your own dirty laundry.
Counting your chickens before they hatch.
아직 합격도 안 했는데 김칫국부터 마시네.— You haven't even passed yet and you're celebrating.
발표 나고 얘기하세요. 김칫국부터 마시면 안 됩니다.— Wait for the announcement. Don't count your chickens.
Making do with the next best thing.
소주 없으면 맥주라도. 꿩 대신 닭이지.— No soju? Beer will do. Second best is still fine.
제가 대신 갈게요. 꿩 대신 닭입니다.— I'll go instead. A substitute is better than nothing.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
후보 다 봤는데 그 나물에 그 밥이야.— I looked at all the candidates — same old, same old.
다른 데도 비슷해요. 그 나물에 그 밥이죠.— Other places are similar. It's all the same.
You can tell a promising person early on.
쟤는 어릴 때부터 남달랐어. 될성부른 나무는 떡잎부터 알아본대.— He was different even as a kid. You can spot talent early.
신입인데 벌써 잘하네요. 될성부른 나무는 떡잎부터 다릅니다.— The new hire is already good. Talent shows from the start.
Time heals all wounds.
지금은 힘들겠지만 시간이 약이야.— It's hard now, but time heals.
천천히 나아질 거예요. 시간이 약입니다.— It will get better slowly. Time is the best medicine.
You can never know what's in someone's heart.
그럴 사람이 아니었는데. 열 길 물속은 알아도 한 길 사람 속은 모른다더니.— He wasn't that kind of person. You never really know anyone.
사람 속은 모르는 거예요. 열 길 물속은 알아도요.— You can't know a person's heart, deep as it is.
You always run into your enemy where you can't avoid them.
하필 여기서 마주쳤네. 원수는 외나무다리에서 만난다더니.— Of all places, we ran into each other here.
같은 팀이 됐어요. 원수는 외나무다리에서 만납니다.— We ended up on the same team. Enemies always meet.
Bitter medicine does you good — hard advice helps most.
듣기 싫겠지만 들어. 입에 쓴 약이 몸에 좋아.— You won't like hearing it, but listen. Bitter medicine heals.
쓴소리 감사합니다. 입에 쓴 약이 몸에 좋다잖아요.— Thank you for the hard feedback. Bitter medicine is good for you.
One detail tells you the whole story.
책상 보니까 알겠다. 하나를 보면 열을 알지.— I can tell from his desk. One thing reveals ten.
인사만 봐도 알아요. 하나를 보면 열을 압니다.— You can tell just from how they greet you.
Birds of a feather stick together.
역시 형제라 편들어 주네. 가재는 게 편이야.— Of course the brothers back each other up.
같은 부서니까 그렇겠죠. 가재는 게 편입니다.— They're in the same department, so naturally they side together.
Out of the frying pan into the fire; it keeps getting worse.
이번엔 또 이거야? 갈수록 태산이네.— Now this too? It just keeps getting worse.
문제가 계속 생기네요. 갈수록 태산입니다.— Problems keep coming. It gets harder as we go.
Pouring water into a bottomless jar — a hopeless waste.
그 사업에 더 넣지 마. 밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기야.— Don't put more into that business. It's a bottomless pit.
이건 밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기예요. 그만두시죠.— This is a bottomless pit. Let's stop.
One problem after another.
하나 해결하니까 또 터졌어. 진짜 산 넘어 산이다.— I fixed one and another blew up. It's one thing after another.
겨우 끝냈는데 또 있네요. 산 넘어 산이에요.— I just finished and there's more. Mountain after mountain.
A green beginner has no idea what they're up against.
신입이 부장님한테 대들었대. 하룻강아지 범 무서운 줄 모르지.— The new guy talked back to the boss. He has no idea.
겁이 없으시네요. 하룻강아지 범 무서운 줄 모릅니다.— You're fearless. A puppy doesn't fear a tiger.
You can't expect much from the first spoonful.
처음부터 잘할 순 없지. 첫술에 배부르랴.— Nobody's good on the first try. One spoonful won't fill you.
이제 시작인걸요. 첫술에 배부르겠습니까.— We've only just started. Results take time.
Careful effort never goes to waste.
열심히 했으니 괜찮을 거야. 공든 탑이 무너지랴.— You worked hard, so it'll be fine. Solid work doesn't collapse.
정성껏 준비하셨잖아요. 공든 탑이 무너지겠습니까.— You prepared with care. That effort won't be wasted.
Old habits die hard — fix them early.
지금 고쳐 줘야지. 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다.— Correct it now. A habit from childhood lasts a lifetime.
습관은 어릴 때 잡아야 해요. 세 살 버릇 여든까지 갑니다.— Habits must be shaped young. They stay for life.
Hang around long enough and you pick it up.
옆에서 보기만 했는데 하네. 서당 개 삼 년이면 풍월을 읊는대.— He only watched and now he can do it. You pick things up.
오래 계시다 보니 다 아시네요. 서당 개 삼 년이면 풍월을 읊죠.— You've been here long enough to know it all.
Keep at it and it will give way.
한 번 더 부탁드려 봐. 열 번 찍어 안 넘어가는 나무 없어.— Ask one more time. Ten swings will fell any tree.
계속 두드려 보세요. 열 번 찍어 안 넘어가는 나무 없습니다.— Keep knocking. Persistence always wins in the end.