10 Useful Animal Related Korean Proverbs

There are galore animal related Korean proverbs, Sokdam (속담) utilised successful regular events, you tin moreover spot them successful dramas, aliases your favourite K-pop songs! With its history making love backmost overmuch earlier than nan Joseon (조선) dynasty, Sokdam is very overmuch considered arsenic taste beliefs and traditions. The derivation and usage of Sokdam showcases nan invaluable contented and knowledge of nan ancient Korean community. While Sokdam travel successful countless metaphors, let’s spot 10 animal related proverbs!

Animal related Korean proverbs

1. Reading scriptures into a cow’s ears

Literally translated from 소귀에경읽기 (so-gwi-e-gyeong-ilg-gi), this animal related Korean proverb describes nan reference of scriptures aliases sutra to a cow, which is realistically intolerable for nan cattle to understand anything. The occidental balanced would beryllium “talking to a ceramic wall“. In Korean culture, this Sokdam is utilized erstwhile 1 is disappointment from saying thing to personification who does not understand nan discourse repeatedly.

2. A dragon emerges from a mini stream

Literally translated from 개천에서 용 난다 (ae-cheon-e-seo yong nan-da). Based connected Korean mythology aliases folklore, dragons are nan astir majestic creatures which typically only look successful places afloat of belief and rejuvenation resources. On nan different hand, dragons appearing successful mini streams will beryllium uncommon. Therefore, this animal related Korean proverb is wide utilized to metaphor nan accomplishment aliases occurrence of a personification who came from a very mediocre environment.

3. The early vertebrate catches nan worm

Literally translated from 일찍 일어나는 새가 벌레를 잡는다 (il-jjig il-eo-na-neun sae-ga beol-le-leul jab-neun-da). We judge this Korean proverb, erstwhile translated directly, is really nan aforesaid English proverb utilized to picture nan value of starting thing early to person an advantage complete others and higher chance of success. Isn’t it absorbing to study that location are immoderate similarities successful Korean and Western cultures?

4. A surviving canine is amended than a dormant lion

Literally translated from 산 개가 죽은 사자보다 더 낫다 (san gae-ga juk-eun sa-ja-bo-da deo nat-da). Drawing reference to nan nutrient chain, only nan strongest and fittest survive, hence lions are named kings of nan animal kingdom. In comparison, dogs are usually tamed animals that group support arsenic pets. But why is simply a surviving canine amended than a dormant lion? That is because nary matter what, staying live intends location is still dream while decease implies an end. At times, this animal related Korean proverb is for illustration a metaphor that acts arsenic an encouragement, to those who faced nonaccomplishment aliases obstacles successful life, to ne'er springiness up and support moving forward!

5. Fish should play successful nan large h2o

Literally translated from 물고기는 큰 물에서 놀아야 한다 (mul-go-gi-neun keun mul-e-seo nol-a-ya han-da). The earthy residence of food is nan immense water but ideate pet food kept successful a tank. Space is confined and eventually, they deficiency state and are bound to beryllium restricted. This Sokdam figuratively cites a freely level wherever group are actively participating successful activities. A level providing capable opportunities and state to do things. Only erstwhile group are capable to “play successful nan large water” will they person nan chance to strive for success.

6. Mend nan cage aft nan cattle is stolen

Literally translated from 소 잃고 외양간 고친다 (so ilk-go oe-yang-gan go-chin-da). Ironically, why hole a cattle cage aft nan cattle has been stolen? It is useless and foolish to do so. It is only wise to believe prevention earlier thing happens. A akin Western balanced to this Sokdam would beryllium “prevention is amended than cure“.

7. Going aft 1 rabbit, will extremity up missing nan remainder

Literally translated from 가는 토끼 잡으려다 잡은 토끼 놓친다 (ga-neun to-kki jab-eu-lyeo-da jab-eun to-kki noh-chin-da). This animal related Korean proverb refers to personification being greedy who will suffer what they already have. One will probably neglect trying to do galore things astatine nan aforesaid time. An fantabulous accent connected really 1 should person patience, a kindness weighted successful nan Korean culture, successful bid to execute bigger things successful life.

8. Monkeys autumn from trees too

Literally translated from 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다 (won-sung-i-do na-mu-e-seo tteol-eo-jin-da). What is nan salient small heart of a monkey? Definitely climbing and swinging freely connected trees! But moreover a monkey which is acquainted pinch character climbing tin autumn from a character sometimes. Figuratively, anyone who is bully and acquainted pinch their tasks tin besides extremity up ruining it if 1 is excessively confident. Seems for illustration this animal related Korean proverb intends to punctual 1 to beryllium humble astatine each times!

9. Leave nan food to a feline

Literally translated from 고양이한테생선을맡기다 (go-yang-i-han-te-saeng-seon-eul-mat-gi-da). What happens erstwhile you springiness a food to a cat? It is good known that cats emotion fish! Without overmuch thought, it’s evident that nan food will beryllium eaten. This proverb is beautiful easy to decipher; it intends leaving thing very important to an untrustworthy personification and you will beryllium worried astir nan outcome. You should not provender nan feline pinch “an important” fish!

10. A barking canine ne'er bites

Literally translated from 짖는 개는 물지 않는다 (jij-neun gae-neun mul-ji anh-neun-da). When a canine is faced pinch a threat, it will bark arsenic a informing to protect itself. However, erstwhile a canine really has nan volition to bite, it will wound successful a flash without immoderate warning. Hence, “a barking canine ne'er bites” is saying that anyone who acts aggressively connected nan extracurricular (barking) doesn’t really person immoderate qualities (no expertise to bite) internally. After all, it is ever wise to enactment distant from a barking dog!

Came crossed immoderate acquainted animal related Korean proverb that appeared successful K-dramas aliases K-pop? We dream you find this article interesting! If you want to study much astir Korean language, we urge you to publication our article about K-pop words and K-drama expressions.

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