40 Korean idioms (Meaning + Examples + Other Ways to say)

I write 40 chinese similes with Meaning, Examples and other ways to say. Short or long i Coverd similes examples for you and give at the end chinese and Korean similes.

List Of 40 Korean Idioms

• 고생 끝에 낙이 온다
• 티끌 모아 태산
• 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다
• 바늘 도둑이 소 도둑 된다
• 그림의 떡
• 뒷북 치다
• 눈 감아 주다
• 발등에 불이 떨어지다
• 산 넘어 산
• 하늘의 별 따기
• 입이 무겁다
• 손이 크다
• 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다
• 떡 줄 사람은 생각도 없는데 김칫국부터 마신다
• 남의 떡이 더 커 보인다
• 돌다리도 두드려 보고 건너라
• 말 한마디로 천 냥 빚 갚는다
• 가재는 게 편
• 열 번 찍어 안 넘어가는 나무 없다
• 천 리 길도 한 걸음부터
• 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다
• 고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다
• 호랑이 굴에 가야 호랑이 새끼를 잡는다
• 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다
• 누워서 침 뱉기
• 금상첨화
• 일석이조
• 식은 죽 먹기
• 우물 안 개구리
• 십시일반
• 낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다
• 벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다
• 부뚜막의 소금도 집어넣어야 짜다
• 서당 개 삼 년이면 풍월을 읊는다
• 아는 길도 물어가라
• 새옹지마
• 우공이산
• 각주구검
• 화룡점정
• 마부작침

What are the korean idioms ?

The Korean idioms are 고생 끝에 낙이 온다, 티끌 모아 태산, 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다, 바늘 도둑이 소 도둑 된다, 그림의 떡, 뒷북 치다, 눈 감아 주다, 발등에 불이 떨어지다, 산 넘어 산, 하늘의 별 따기, 입이 무겁다, 손이 크다, 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다, 떡 줄 사람은 생각도 없는데 김칫국부터 마신다, 남의 떡이 더 커 보인다, 돌다리도 두드려 보고 건너라, 말 한마디로 천 냥 빚 갚는다, 가재는 게 편, 열 번 찍어 안 넘어가는 나무 없다, 천 리 길도 한 걸음부터.
These idioms work as old verbal tools for patience, caution, and manners in daily talk.

고생 끝에 낙이 온다

meaning: Good fortune follows hardship.
example: After years of saving, the family finally bought a home, since 고생 끝에 낙이 온다.
other ways to say: after hardship comes reward, brighter days after hard times, payoff after pain

티끌 모아 태산

meaning: Small efforts add up to a huge result.
example: The student saved coins daily and paid the course fee, because 티끌 모아 태산.
other ways to say: little by little, pennies add up, small steps build big results

세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다

meaning: Early habits stay for life.
example: The parent taught greetings early, since 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다.
other ways to say: habits stick, early habits last, childhood habits follow

바늘 도둑이 소 도둑 된다

meaning: Small theft leads to bigger crime.
example: The teacher warned the class about cheating, since 바늘 도둑이 소 도둑 된다.
other ways to say: small wrong grows, minor crime turns major, slippery slope

그림의 떡

meaning: Something desired stays unreachable.
example: The luxury car felt like 그림의 떡 on that salary.
other ways to say: out of reach, a daydream, wish without access

뒷북 치다

meaning: Act after the moment already passed.
example: The team argued after the deadline, which felt like 뒷북 치다.
other ways to say: too late, after the fact, late reaction

눈 감아 주다

meaning: Ignore a fault on purpose.
example: The manager 눈 감아 주다 once, then demanded the work get fixed.
other ways to say: let it slide, overlook, pardon quietly

발등에 불이 떨어지다

meaning: A problem turns urgent right now.
example: The exam was tomorrow, so 발등에 불이 떨어지다 hit the student fast.
other ways to say: urgent crisis, time runs out, fire under feet

산 넘어 산

meaning: One hardship follows another.
example: The business cleared one issue, then another came, since 산 넘어 산.
other ways to say: one problem after another, no easy stretch, tough chain

하늘의 별 따기

meaning: Nearly impossible to achieve.
example: Getting that rare ticket felt like 하늘의 별 따기.
other ways to say: near impossible, long shot, needle in a haystack

입이 무겁다

meaning: Keep secrets well.
example: The friend heard the plan and stayed silent, because 입이 무겁다.
other ways to say: tight-lipped, discreet, keeps confidence

손이 크다

meaning: Give generously, prepare more than needed.
example: At family dinners, the host 손이 크다 and no bowl stays empty.
other ways to say: generous hand, big-hearted giver, gives plenty

배보다 배꼽이 더 크다

meaning: The extra cost exceeds the main thing.
example: The “cheap” item needed pricey parts, so 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다.
other ways to say: hidden costs, costs more than it is worth, add-on outweighs main

떡 줄 사람은 생각도 없는데 김칫국부터 마신다

meaning: Assume success before any promise exists.
example: The candidate celebrated before the interview, which matched 떡 줄 사람은 생각도 없는데 김칫국부터 마신다.
other ways to say: count chickens early, jump the gun, assume the yes

남의 떡이 더 커 보인다

meaning: Other people’s things look better.
example: The neighbor’s garden looked perfect, since 남의 떡이 더 커 보인다.
other ways to say: grass looks greener, envy bias, чужое кажется лучше

돌다리도 두드려 보고 건너라

meaning: Check safety even in familiar situations.
example: The driver inspected the route again, since 돌다리도 두드려 보고 건너라.
other ways to say: trust but verify, double-check, cautious first

말 한마디로 천 냥 빚 갚는다

meaning: A few good words solve big trouble.
example: The apology eased the feud, because 말 한마디로 천 냥 빚 갚는다.
other ways to say: words heal, a kind word pays debt, speak to fix

가재는 게 편

meaning: People side with their own group.
example: The siblings defended each other, since 가재는 게 편.
other ways to say: own side first, tribe loyalty, bias for kin

열 번 찍어 안 넘어가는 나무 없다

meaning: Persistence breaks resistance.
example: The salesperson tried again and won the deal, because 열 번 찍어 안 넘어가는 나무 없다.
other ways to say: persistence wins, keep at it, wear it down

천 리 길도 한 걸음부터

meaning: Big goals start with the first small step.
example: The student began with one page a day, since 천 리 길도 한 걸음부터.
other ways to say: start small, first step matters, begin to build roots

What are the pure korean idioms?

The pure Korean idioms are 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다, 고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다, 호랑이 굴에 가야 호랑이 새끼를 잡는다, 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다, 누워서 침 뱉기.
These sayings keep native rhythm and daily imagery that elders repeat at home.

가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다

meaning: Speak kindly to receive kindness back.
example: The teammate softened the tone first, since 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다.
other ways to say: what goes around comes around, speak sweet to hear sweet, kindness returns

고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다

meaning: Small people get hurt when big powers fight.
example: Two departments fought, and interns suffered, like 고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다.
other ways to say: collateral damage, little guy pays, caught in crossfire

호랑이 굴에 가야 호랑이 새끼를 잡는다

meaning: Take risks to gain big results.
example: The founder pitched in person, since 호랑이 굴에 가야 호랑이 새끼를 잡는다.
other ways to say: no risk no reward, bold move pays, step into danger

원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다

meaning: Experts make mistakes.
example: The veteran typo happened, since 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다.
other ways to say: even pros slip, nobody perfect, expert error

누워서 침 뱉기

meaning: Harmful acts return to harm the person who did them.
example: The rumor spreader lost trust fast, like 누워서 침 뱉기.
other ways to say: self-sabotage, shoot own foot, short

What are the Short korean idioms ?

The short Korean idioms are 금상첨화, 일석이조, 식은 죽 먹기, 우물 안 개구리, 십시일반.
Short forms fit quick talk, so people use them like pocket knives in daily speech.

금상첨화

meaning: Add beauty to something already good.
example: The clean report plus clear charts felt like 금상첨화.
other ways to say: icing on the cake, cherry on top, perfect add-on

일석이조

meaning: One action achieves two gains.
example: The walk saved money and improved health, since 일석이조.
other ways to say: kill two birds, two wins, double benefit

식은 죽 먹기

meaning: Extremely easy.
example: For the mechanic, that repair was 식은 죽 먹기.
other ways to say: easy as pie, a breeze, no sweat

우물 안 개구리

meaning: A narrow view due to limited experience.
example: The critic judged the world from one town, like 우물 안 개구리.
other ways to say: narrow-minded, small world view, sheltered outlook

십시일반

meaning: Many small contributions create help.
example: Neighbors donated a little each, since 십시일반.
other ways to say: chip in, crowd support, longer

What are the long korean idioms ?

The long Korean idioms are 낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다, 벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다, 부뚜막의 소금도 집어넣어야 짜다, 서당 개 삼 년이면 풍월을 읊는다, 아는 길도 물어가라.
Long sayings carry full scenes, so they sound like advice from an older table.

낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다

meaning: Secrets spread, so guard speech.
example: The office gossip proved 낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다.
other ways to say: walls have ears, watch your words, nothing stays hidden

벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다

meaning: The wiser a person becomes, the more humble the person acts.
example: The best teacher stayed modest, since 벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다.
other ways to say: humility with maturity, quiet confidence, humble expert

부뚜막의 소금도 집어넣어야 짜다

meaning: Effort must happen to get results.
example: The plan stayed empty until action began, since 부뚜막의 소금도 집어넣어야 짜다.
other ways to say: act to gain, effort required, no input no output

서당 개 삼 년이면 풍월을 읊는다

meaning: Exposure teaches, even without formal study.
example: The assistant picked up the jargon, since 서당 개 삼 년이면 풍월을 읊는다.
other ways to say: learn by being around, pick up by exposure, absorb the habit

아는 길도 물어가라

meaning: Ask even when the route feels familiar.
example: The traveler confirmed directions, since 아는 길도 물어가라.
other ways to say: confirm the way, ask to avoid error, shared

What are The korean & chinese idioms?

The Korean and Chinese idioms are 새옹지마, 우공이산, 각주구검, 화룡점정, 마부작침.
These four-character sayings travel across old books, so both cultures recognize the lesson.

새옹지마 (塞翁之馬, 塞翁失馬 sāiwēng shīmǎ)

meaning: Bad luck may turn into good luck, and good luck may turn.
example: The job loss led to a better role later, like 새옹지마.
other ways to say: blessing in disguise, fortune shifts, luck flips

우공이산 (愚公移山 yúgōng yíshān)

meaning: Steady effort over time defeats huge obstacles.
example: The team improved daily and beat the giant task, since 우공이산.
other ways to say: persistence moves mountains, long patience wins, steady grind

각주구검 (刻舟求劍 kèzhōu qiújiàn)

meaning: Use the wrong method by clinging to old conditions.
example: The manager reused last year’s plan despite new facts, like 각주구검.
other ways to say: outdated method, rigid thinking, wrong fix

화룡점정 (畫龍點睛 huàlóng diǎnjīng)

meaning: The final touch makes the work complete.
example: One sharp headline finished the article, since 화룡점정.
other ways to say: finishing touch, final spark, last detail

마부작침 (磨斧作針 mófǔ zuòzhēn)

meaning: Grind long enough and a big axe turns into a needle, meaning patience wins.
example: The student practiced daily until mastery came, since 마부작침.
other ways to say: patient practice, slow mastery, elders