Common Korean Proverbs & Idioms

• “김칫국부터 마시지 마라” Literal: Don’t drink kimchi soup first. Meaning: Don’t get ahead of yourself / Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Used when someone assumes success too early.

“호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다” Literal: If you mention a tiger, it comes. Meaning: Speak of the devil (and he shall appear). Said when the person you’re talking about suddenly appears.

“백지장도 맞들면 낫다” Literal: Even a sheet of blank paper is better when two people carry it together. Meaning: Two heads are better than one / Teamwork makes things easier.

• “고생 끝에 낙이 온다” Literal: After hardship comes joy. Meaning: No pain, no gain / Happiness comes after hard times.

• “콩 심은 데 콩 나고 팥 심은 데 팥 난다” Literal: Where you plant beans, beans grow; where you plant red beans, red beans grow. Meaning: You reap what you sow.