서울대 한자 성어 Korean Expressions

Front 1

금강산도 식후경

Back 1

lit.) You should eat even before sightseeing at Diamond Mountain.

Eat first, no matter what temptation or chore awaits.

Front 2

죽도 아니고 밥도 아니고

Back 2

lit.)It's neither rice nor porridge.

A gray area, somewhere in between

Front 3

귀가 얇다

Back 3

To be gullible.

Front 4

서쪽에서 해가 뜨겠다

Back 4

The sun rises in the West; i.e. the impossible is occurring

Front 5

등잔 밑이 어둡다

Back 5

It's dark right below the lamp post; i.e. What you're looking for is right under your nose

Front 6

나무만 보고 숲을 못 본다

Back 6

Can't see the forest from the trees.

Front 7

깨가 쏟아지다

Back 7

신혼 -- still enjoying thhe marriage.

Front 8

양다리 걸치다

(오징어다리 걸치다 )

Back 8

To date several people at the same time.

Front 9

제눈에 안경이다

Back 9

Just their view, not necessarily reality.

Front 10

검은 머리 파뿌리되도록

Back 10

"to do or be something" ...until one is old and grey

Front 11

견물생심이다

Back 11

물건을 볼때 마음에 욕심 생기다

Seeing something causes the desire for it.

Front 12

기진맥진하다

Back 12

To be totally exhausted.

Front 13

그림의떡

Back 13

A prize beyond reach.

Front 14

V- 기는 하늘의 별따기다

Back 14

To be almost impossible to do/realize. To be out of reach.

이 시간에 택시 잡기는 하늘의 별 다기예요

서울에서 집 사기는 하늘의 별따기예요

Front 15

바가지(를) 긁다

Back 15

To nag/ bitch at someone(usually used for woman to man in a couple).

Front 16

고진감래(이다)

Back 16

Pleasure follows pain.

(no pain no gain)

Front 17

눈이 빠지게도록 기다리다

Back 17

To wait so long your eyes pop out.

Front 18

눈코 뜰새없다

Back 18

To be kept really busy.

Front 19

거두절미(하다)

Back 19

"To cut off the head and tail" To get to the point/ make a long story short.

거두절미 하고 요점만 애기할게

거두절미 하고 결론 만 애기해

Front 20

도중하차(하다)

Back 20

To quit doing something; to stop before planned



피아노 배우겠다고 학원 다니더니 그만뒀어? 벌써 도중하차한 거야?

Front 21

유비무환

Back 21

Preparing means no worries.

Front 22

막상막하(이다)

Back 22

Not better than or worse than

Comparing something (능력, 실력)

Front 23

학수고대(하다)

Back 23

To wait anxiously.

"손꼽아 기다리다"

Front 24

부지기수(이다)

___이/가 부지기수 예요/였어요

Back 24

To be numberless/ countless.

Front 25

다다익선(이다)

Back 25

The more the better.

Front 26

자신만만(하다)

Back 26

To be full of self-confidence.

Front 27

죽마고우(이다)

Back 27

Childhood friend

Front 28

바람을 맞다

Back 28

To have an appointment but not meeting or not making contact about cancelling it.

Usually for a "date" type of meeting.

Front 29

국수를 먹다

Back 29

To attend a wedding.

Front 30

과소평가 (하다)

Back 30

To underestimate.

Front 31

무용지물(이다)

Back 31

Good for nothing.

Front 32

유용지물(이다)

Back 32

Useful

Front 33

다재다능(하다/한)

Back 33

To have many talents.

Front 34

모모 이/가 비일비재(하다)

(적이/경우가)

Back 34

To occur frequently.

Front 35

일거양득(이다)

일석이조

Back 35

To kill two birds with one stone.

Front 36

자화자찬(하다)

Back 36

To praise one's self: toot one's horn.