Proverbs of Relationships and Life

Here you'll learn proverbs about human relationships and the way the world works — handy for sharing a bit of wisdom in everyday conversation.

1. 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다 (ganeun mari gowaya oneun mari gopda)

Literally 'words that go out must be kind for words that come back to be kind.' Speak kindly and others will speak kindly to you — it's all about mutual respect.

가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다고, 먼저 친절하게 인사해 보세요.

Ganeun mari gowaya oneun mari gopdago, meonjeo chinjeolhage insahae boseyo.

Kind words bring kind words back, so try greeting them warmly first.

2. 발 없는 말이 천 리 간다 (bal eomneun mari cheon ri ganda)

Literally 'words with no feet travel a thousand li.' Rumors fly far in an instant — a warning to watch your words.

발 없는 말이 천 리 간다니까 말조심해야 해요.

Bal eomneun mari cheon ri gandanikka maljosimhaeya haeyo.

Rumors travel fast and far, so you have to watch what you say.

낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다.

Nanmareun saega deutgo bammareun jwiga deunneunda.

Birds hear what's said by day and mice hear what's said by night — walls have ears.

백지장도 맞들면 낫다.

Baekjijangdo matdeulmyeon natda.

Even a sheet of paper is lighter when two lift it — many hands make light work.

원수는 외나무다리에서 만난다더니, 하필 그 사람을 또 봤어요.

Wonsuneun oenamudariesseo mannandadeoni, hapil geu sarameul tto bwasseoyo.

They say you meet your enemy on a one-log bridge — of all people, I ran into him again.

사촌이 땅을 사면 배가 아프다.

Sachoni ttangeul samyeon baega apeuda.

When your cousin buys land, your stomach aches — that gnawing envy at others' good fortune.

윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑다.

Witmuri malgaya araenmuri malda.

The water downstream is clear only if it's clear upstream — those at the top must set the example.

등잔 밑이 어둡다더니, 답이 바로 옆에 있었네요.

Deungjan michi eodupdadeoni, dabi baro yeope isseonneyo.

It's darkest right under the lamp — the answer was sitting right beside me.

3. Envy and setting an example

사촌이 땅을 사면 배가 아프다 needles the envy we feel at the success of those close to us, while 윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑다 teaches that leaders have to set the example first.

Proverb	Meaning
가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다	Treat others well to be treated well
발 없는 말이 천 리 간다	Rumors spread fast
낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다	Walls have ears
백지장도 맞들면 낫다	Many hands make light work
원수는 외나무다리에서 만난다	You can't avoid meeting your foe
사촌이 땅을 사면 배가 아프다	Envy of others' good fortune
윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑다	Leaders must set the example
등잔 밑이 어둡다	Hardest to see what's nearest

💡 Tip: Here the word 말 has two senses: 'speech/words' and 'horse.' In these proverbs it almost always means 'words.'

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