14 Korean Idioms That Make No Sense in English
Korean is a wonderfully vibrant language filled with colorful expressions that might leave English speakers scratching their heads in confusion. There are countless funny Korean expressions that, when translated literally, sound downright bizarre. However, these expressions hold a special place in the language and culture, encapsulating centuries of wisdom, humor, and everyday experiences.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most intriguing Korean idioms that make zero sense when taken at face value in English. From animals appearing in unexpected places to references to bodily functions, get ready for a whirlwind tour of linguistic oddities.
Before we explore these expressions, remember that they reflect not only the language but also the spirit and identity of Koreans, so don’t be surprised if each one sounds quirky in its own way!
What Makes Korean Idioms So Uniquely Confusing?
Korean idioms have developed over centuries, drawing from old folk tales, traditions, and cultural norms that might be unfamiliar to non-Korean speakers. As a language with a long history, Korean has retained many expressions that tie directly to aspects of daily life, from farming to family customs, which may no longer be as prevalent in modern contexts.
Many of these phrases continue to thrive today, partly because they’re fun to say and deliver meaning in a more creative, vivid way. Whether you’re new to the language or a seasoned Korean speaker, these expressions are living proof that Korean is exceptionally rich and nuanced — and full of surprises!
1. “호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다” (Horangi-do je mal hamyeon onda)
Literal Translation: “If you speak of a tiger, it will come.”
Actual Meaning: This expression is essentially the Korean equivalent of “Speak of the devil.” The idea is that if you mention someone (or something) enough, it might suddenly appear.
When to Use: You can drop this idiom when you’re chatting about a friend who then unexpectedly shows up. It’s a playful warning that someone might overhear or appear if you’re talking about them!
2. “닭 잡아먹고 오리발 내민다” (Dak jabameokgo oribal naeminda)
Literal Translation: “After eating the chicken, you stick out a duck’s foot.”
Actual Meaning: This phrase refers to someone who tries to cover up or hide wrongdoing by giving a false excuse or attempting to make something appear different than it is — like pretending a duck foot is a chicken’s foot.
When to Use: Use this idiom when you want to express that someone is making a lame excuse or is being dishonest to avoid blame. For example, if your coworker made a mistake on a report but then tried to pin it on someone else.
3. “개밥에 도토리” (Gae-bap-e dotori)
Literal Translation: “An acorn in dog food.”
Actual Meaning: This weird-sounding expression means “an outcast” or someone who doesn’t fit in. Imagine a lonely acorn sitting in a bowl of dog food — it just doesn’t belong.
When to Use: Perfect for describing a person who feels left out of a group or a situation. For instance, if you’ve ever found yourself the odd one out at a party where everyone else already knew each other.
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4. “울며 겨자 먹기” (Ul-myeo gyeoja meokgi)
Literal Translation: “Eating mustard while crying.”
Actual Meaning: This idiom is used when someone reluctantly does something they hate but they have no other choice. Think of it like the English phrase “grin and bear it.”
When to Use: Pull out this phrase when you’re forced to do something unpleasant — maybe you have to work overtime on a weekend or attend a dreaded family gathering.
5. “하얀 거짓말” (Hayan geojitmal)
Literal Translation: “A white lie.”
Actual Meaning: Just like the English “white lie,” this idiom describes a harmless lie or a fib told to protect someone’s feelings or avoid a worse situation.
When to Use: It’s appropriate when you want to mention a small lie intended to be kind, like complimenting a friend’s cooking even if it’s not quite your taste.
6. “가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다” (Ganeun mari gowaya oneun mari gobda)
Literal Translation: “If the outgoing words are beautiful, the incoming words will be beautiful, too.”
Actual Meaning: This expression highlights the importance of speaking kindly if you expect others to treat you kindly in return — essentially, “What goes around comes around.”
When to Use: Use this phrase when giving advice about manners or to remind someone to keep a respectful tone. It’s a classic idiom you might hear from parents or teachers.
7. “오리 알을 품은 닭” (Ori ar-eul pumeun dak)
Literal Translation: “A hen incubating a duck’s egg.”
Actual Meaning: This idiom implies a situation where someone nurtures or takes responsibility for something that isn’t really theirs, often without fully understanding the situation. It’s a bit like “barking up the wrong tree.”
When to Use: Perfect when discussing someone who’s investing time, effort, or care into something that doesn’t align with their interests or responsibilities.
8. “원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다” (Wonsung-ido namu-eseo tteoreojinda)
Literal Translation: “Even monkeys fall from trees.”
Actual Meaning: This expression conveys that anyone can make mistakes, even an expert or someone very skilled. If monkeys, who are adept climbers, can lose their grip, so can we.
When to Use: Use this phrase to soothe someone who’s embarrassed by a slip-up or to remind yourself that nobody’s perfect. It’s a compassionate way to encourage acceptance of errors.
9. “새발의 피” (Saebar-eui pi)
Literal Translation: “Blood on a bird’s foot.”
Actual Meaning: This phrase refers to something extremely small or insignificant, almost negligible in scale — just like how little blood would be on a bird’s tiny foot.
When to Use: You might use this to say that your problems are trivial or that the money you spent on something is nothing compared to a larger expense. It’s often uttered with a shrug, as if to say, “Not a big deal!”
10. “모르는 게 약” (Moreuneun ge yak)
Literal Translation: “Not knowing is medicine.”
Actual Meaning: This idiom conveys the idea that ignorance can be bliss. Sometimes, the less you know about a troubling situation, the better you feel.
When to Use: Use this phrase when you don’t want to know all the details about a sensitive topic or want to avoid additional stress.
11. “눈이 뒤집히다” (Nuni dwijiphida)
Literal Translation: “Your eyes flip upside down.”
Actual Meaning: This idiom describes someone becoming furious or enraged to the point of losing their composure. Think of it as “blowing a fuse” in English.
When to Use: Drop this expression to describe an intense emotional reaction, like after witnessing a serious injustice or being subjected to infuriating behavior. It emphasizes that the anger is all-consuming.
12. “고양이한테 생선을 맡기다” (Goyang-i-hante saengseon-eul matgida)
Literal Translation: “Entrust the fish to a cat.”
Actual Meaning: This means giving a job or responsibility to someone who has a clear conflict of interest, almost guaranteeing failure or mischief.
When to Use: If your office delegates financial oversight to someone known for sloppy spending habits, you might say, “That’s like entrusting the fish to a cat!”
13. “배보다 배꼽이 더 크다” (Baeboda baekkob-i deo keuda)
Literal Translation: “The belly button is bigger than the belly.”
Actual Meaning: This refers to a situation where incidental costs or the side aspects of a project overshadow the main event, resulting in an ironic imbalance.
When to Use: Use it when talking about a project whose overhead or extra expenses have become bigger than the original plan itself.
14. “가는 날이 장날” (Ganeun nari jangnal)
Literal Translation: “The day you go out is market day.”
Actual Meaning: This idiom means you happen to go somewhere on the busiest or most eventful day — sometimes that’s good luck; other times it’s a comical inconvenience. It’s sort of like “What are the odds?” in English.
When to Use These Fun Korean Idioms
The beauty of these fun Korean idioms is that they transform mundane conversations into something more vivid. If you’re aiming to make someone smile or show off your growing language skills, sprinkling an idiom here or there can work wonders.
Still, keep in mind that context and tone matter. Some Korean idioms might be considered casual or even borderline rude if used at the wrong time. Your safest bet is to test them out with close friends or language partners who can guide you on the appropriate usage. Eventually, you’ll develop a feel for which expressions match which social settings.
Want to Learn More Korean? Check Out These Resources!
While practicing your Korean, you’re bound to come across other useful expressions and Korean slang. If you’re feeling bold, you could also try out some of the Korean insults that might pop up in casual settings, though we recommend being cautious about context. For a more friendly approach, you can start by exploring learn basic Korean phrases that help you navigate day-to-day interactions. The possibilities are endless!
Ready to Practice? Download Tandem!
Korean idioms can feel like a wild roller coaster ride if you’re coming from an English-speaking background. But that’s exactly what makes them so fascinating. From cautionary tales about trusting a cat with fish to telling someone they’re showing a duck’s foot instead of a chicken’s, these phrases are brimming with wit and cultural history.
By exploring these vivid expressions, not only will you expand your vocabulary, but you’ll also gain deeper insight into Korean culture and how people communicate. However, we’ve barely scratched the surface of the world of Korean idioms.
The best way to truly master them is by chatting directly with native speakers. That’s where Tandem comes in. Tandem is a language exchange community that can help you refine these expressions in real-time, make new friends around the world, and give you the confidence you need to move from textbooks to face-to-face conversations!
