Vocabulary
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geurimui tteok
pie in the sky (lit. rice cake in a picture)
돈이 없으니 저 차는 나한테 그림의 떡이에요.
I have no money, so that car is just pie in the sky for me.
deungjan michi eodupda
It's darkest under the lamp — we miss what is right under our nose
안경을 한참 찾았는데 머리 위에 있었어요. 등잔 밑이 어둡다더니.
I looked for my glasses for ages, and they were on my head. Darkest under the lamp, as they say.
miyeokgugeul meokda
to fail an exam (lit. to eat seaweed soup)
작년에는 시험에서 미역국을 먹었지만 올해는 꼭 붙을 거예요.
I failed the exam last year, but this year I'll definitely pass.
bal eomneun mari cheolli ganda
Words without feet travel a thousand miles (rumors spread fast)
발 없는 말이 천 리 간다니까 말조심하세요.
Rumors spread fast, so watch what you say.
baekjijangdo matdeulmyeon natda
Many hands make light work (lit. even a sheet of paper is easier lifted together)
백지장도 맞들면 낫다고, 같이 하면 금방 끝날 거예요.
Many hands make light work — if we do it together, we'll finish quickly.
so ilko oeyanggan gochinda
Locking the barn door after the horse has bolted (lit. fix the stable after losing the cow)
사고가 난 후에 안전 점검을 하는 건 소 잃고 외양간 고치는 격이에요.
Doing safety checks after an accident is like locking the barn door after the horse has bolted.
soneul tteda
To wash one's hands of something, to quit (lit. take one's hand off)
그는 그 사업에서 완전히 손을 뗐어요.
He has completely pulled out of that business.
soeppuldo dangime ppaera
Strike while the iron is hot (lit. pull out the ox horn while it's heated)
쇠뿔도 단김에 빼랬다고, 생각난 김에 오늘 바로 시작합시다.
Strike while the iron is hot — since we thought of it, let's start today.
umul an gaeguri
a frog in a well (narrow-minded person)
해외에 나가 보니 내가 우물 안 개구리였다는 걸 알았어요.
After going abroad, I realized I had been a frog in a well.
wonsungido namueseo tteoreojinda
Even monkeys fall from trees (even experts make mistakes)
원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다더니, 요리사도 음식을 태웠네.
Even monkeys fall from trees — even the chef burned the food.
tikkeul moa taesan
Every little bit adds up (lit. gathered dust makes a great mountain)
티끌 모아 태산이라고, 매일 조금씩 저축하세요.
Every little bit adds up, so save a little every day.
doseogwan
library
도서관에서 책을 빌렸어요.
I borrowed a book from the library.
banghak
school vacation
여름 방학이 언제 시작해요?
When does summer vacation start?
hakgi
Semester, term
한국은 3월에 새 학기가 시작돼요.
In Korea, the new semester starts in March.
dongnyo
Colleague, co-worker
회사 동료들과 점심을 같이 먹어요.
I have lunch with my co-workers.
myeongham
Business card
처음 만난 분과 명함을 주고받았어요.
I exchanged business cards with someone I met for the first time.
hoesawon
office worker; company employee
우리 형은 회사원이에요.
My older brother is an office worker.
gagyeok
price
이 가방은 가격이 좀 비싸요.
This bag is a bit expensive.
gamgi
a cold
감기에 걸려서 학교에 못 갔어요.
I caught a cold, so I couldn't go to school.
gyejeol
season
어느 계절을 제일 좋아해요?
Which season do you like best?
geunyang
Just, simply, for no reason
A: 왜 전화했어요? B: 그냥 목소리 듣고 싶어서요.
A: Why did you call? B: I just wanted to hear your voice.
geudongan
Meanwhile; all this time, in the meantime
그동안 어떻게 지냈어요?
How have you been all this time?
kkaekkeutada
to be clean
방이 아주 깨끗해요.
The room is very clean.
naljja
date (calendar)
결혼식 날짜가 언제예요?
When is the date of the wedding?
naengjanggo
refrigerator
우유는 냉장고 안에 있어요.
The milk is in the refrigerator.
neutjameul jada
to oversleep / sleep in
늦잠을 자서 수업에 지각했어요.
I overslept and was late for class.
dangyeonhajyo
Of course, naturally
A: 내일 파티에 올 거예요? B: 당연하죠!
A: Are you coming to the party tomorrow? B: Of course!
deungsan
hiking / mountain climbing
주말에 친구들과 북한산에 등산하러 가요.
I'm going hiking on Bukhansan with friends this weekend.
maeume deulda
To like, to be pleased with
새로 산 가방이 정말 마음에 들어요.
I really like the bag I just bought.
bappeuda
to be busy
요즘 일 때문에 너무 바빠요.
I'm very busy with work these days.