High School - Grade 11
Lesson 1: Idiomatic Language
Common Korean Proverbs (속담)
What are Proverbs (속담)?
Proverbs are short, traditional sayings that express a common truth or piece of advice. Learning them is a fantastic way to understand Korean culture and sound more fluent.
You'll hear these in K-Dramas, in conversations with friends, and even in serious speeches. Let's learn some of the most famous ones!
"시작이 반이다"
Shijagi ban-ida
Literal Meaning: "Starting is half (the task)."
Actual Meaning: "Well begun is half done." / Getting started is the hardest part.
(Don't worry too much. Starting is half the battle!)
"고생 끝에 낙이 온다"
Gosaeng kkeute nagi onda
Literal Meaning: "At the end of hardship, joy comes."
Actual Meaning: "No pain, no gain." / There's a light at the end of the tunnel.
(Studying for the exam is hard, right? After the hardship, joy will come.)
"원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다"
Wonsung-ido namueseo tteoreojinda
Literal Meaning: "Even monkeys fall from trees."
Actual Meaning: "Even experts make mistakes." / Nobody is perfect.
(The #1 student did badly on the test? Even monkeys fall from trees sometimes.)
"가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다"
Ganeun mari gowaya oneun mari gopda
Literal Meaning: "The departing word must be beautiful for the returning word to be beautiful."
Actual Meaning: "What goes around, comes around." / Speak to others kindly to be spoken to kindly.
(Don't say bad things to your friend. What goes around, comes around.)
Coming Up Next...
Proverbs are fun, right? They give you a little window into history and culture.
Next, we'll continue our journey into idiomatic language by learning expressions that are related to the **body**. You'll be surprised how many there are!