Proverbs
searching (search) for Mr. Kim in Seoul; searching for a needle in a haystack
An expression to describe a situation where one tries to find someone without sufficient information about him/her or do something without any specific plan and preparation.
When there is a fight between a person who has been to Seoul and a person who has never been to Seoul, the latter wins
A person without firsthand information on something gives a more plausible description or explanation of it.
A novice shaman catches[kills] a person; A little knowledge is a dangrous thing
It is advised to refrain from taking reckless action against something when you are incapable of solving the problem.
A habit you acquire when you are three years old is hard to break even when you turn eighty
An expression used to advise someone to guard against falling into a bad habit as a child because it is very difficult to correct it however hard one may try throughout their whole life.
Time is medicine
People tend to forget things over time however many tragic and tough situations they may have gone through.
Three-inch long tongue kills a person
An expression used to advise someone to watch one's tongue even if it is as short as three inches because talking carelessly may bring disaster.
A cow catches a rat while stepping back
An expression to describe a situation where one achieves something by slim chance or pure luck as if a bull catches a rat while taking backward steps.
repair the cowshed after the cow is stolen; lock the stable door after the horse is stolen
There is no use in trying to fix something after it has already gone wrong.
Even a cow needs a hillside to scratch an itchy spot
An expression meaning that people need something or somebody to rely on in order to start or achieve something just like a cow needs a hill to rub its itchy spot against or step on.
Even cow dung can sometimes be used as medicine
Something very common can sometimes be used for an important purpose.
A well-known party offers nothing special to eat
To fail to live up to a good reputation or expectation.
gangjeong, sweet rice puffs, whose inside is empty
Something that is very showy on the outside, but hollow on the inside.
a sound with a bone inside
A word that has a profound meaning.
a sound with a bone inside
A word that has a malicious intention.
A can whose inside is empty makes a loud noise; Empty vessles make the greatest sound; The worst wheel of the cart always creaks most
Something that is hollow inside looks gaudy outside as if it is rich in content.
I will burn my palm
An expression used to guarantee that someone will not be able to achieve something.
I will burn my palm
An expression used to guarantee that one's argument will turn out to be true.
covering the sky with one's hands
An expression used to describe a situation where something can hardly be concealed.