English Recordings

Lay down a sickle and still not recognize the letter g.
Used to describe a very ignorant person.
The Korean proverb suggests that if a person lays down a sickle and still cannot recognize the letter g, then that person is very ignorant since the shape of the letter g and a sickle are similar.
Not know A from B.

Another person's rice cake looks big.
Used to remind someone that envy may be clouding his or her judgment.
The grass is always greener on the other side.

You see only the trees, but not the forest.
Usage: Often used to tell someone to look at the bigger picture instead of focusing only on the details.
You cannot see the forest for the trees.

Do not drink your kimchi soup first.
Used to warn someone not to get ahead of him- or herself in a project or in planning for the future.
Kimchi soup is spicy and is usually eaten with rice to help reduce the sting; therefore, this proverb suggests that a person wait for the rice to arrive before drinking the soup because the person might be in a fix if the rice arrives late or not at all.
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

You have to measure it to know if it is too long or too short.
Used to encourage someone who is unsure if he or she has the ability or skills needed to do a certain task or meet a certain challenge to accept the task or challenge to find out for sure.
You will never know until you try.

Try to run before you can crawl.
Used to say that someone is not yet ready for a difficult task or job and should try taking it step by step.
Try to run before you can walk.

A son takes after the father.
Used when the actions of a person reminds the speaker of that person's father.
Like father, like son.

A picture of rice cake.
Used to describe something that you desire, but cannot have.
Pie in the sky.

If one is desperate, one will find a way.
Often used explain one's motivations for coming up with an innovative solution to a problem.
Want makes wit; Necessity is the mother of invention.

A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Used to suggest that an active person will have a more fulfilling life.
A rolling stone gathers no moss.