How To Say Don't Count Your Chickens In Korean
Korean proverbs, known as 속담, are short expressions that encapsulate the wisdom, culture, and societal values of Korea.
Often passed down through generations, these expressions offer insights into the Korean mindset.
In this post, we’ll dive into a couple of popular 속담 and their modern applications.
김칫국부터 마시지 마라/마세요
Meaning: Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched
Use this proverb when someone is being overly optimistic about a situation without seeing any concrete results.
Nothing has happened and you've not seen any results but you're already thinking about the benefits.
I'm looking for a place to live in Seoul. And I want to buy a new car...
Don't count your chickens before they're hatched. You did well in the Samsung interview but you still haven't got the job yet.
싼 게 비지떡
Meaning: You get what you pay for
This proverb is used to indicate that the quality of an item is often reflective of its price.
If you buy a very cheap product, you should expect it to be poor quality.
I bought this watch cheaply from the market last weekend, but today it's broken!
You get what you pay for, right? If you buy a cheap Rolex from the market, what do you expect?
Conclusion
속담 are not just linguistic expressions; they are windows into Korean culture and psyche.
Understanding and using them can enrich one’s Korean language experience and provide deeper cultural insights.
Whether you’re studying Korean or just exploring the culture, embracing 속담 is a rewarding journey.