6. 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다
Pronunciation: Se sal beoreut yeodeun-kkaji ganda
Translation: A habit at three years old lasts until eighty.
Meaning: Old habits die hard.
Example 1
A: 민수가 또 숙제를 안 했대.
B: 어렸을 때부터 그랬어.
A: 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다더니, 고쳐지지 않나 봐.
B: 맞아, 이번엔 제대로 해보게 도와줘야겠어.
A: 그래, 같이 도와주자.
A: Minsu didn’t do his homework again.
B: He’s been like that since he was young.
A: Old habits die hard, it seems he can’t change.
B: Yes, we should help him do it properly this time.
A: Let’s help him together.
Example 2
A: 내 동생이 또 내 간식을 먹었어!
B: 어렸을 때부터 그러더니.
A: 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다더니, 정말 맞아.
B: 그럼 간식에 자물쇠라도 달아야겠네!
A: 좋은 생각이야!
A: My little brother ate my snack again!
B: He’s been like that since he was young.
A: Old habits die hard, it’s really true.
B: Then you should put a lock on your snacks!
A: Good idea!
7. 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다
Pronunciation: Wonsungi-do namu-eseo tteoreojinda
Translation: Even monkeys fall from trees.
Meaning: Everyone makes mistakes.
Example 1
A: 시험에서 실수했어.
B: 무슨 실수?
A: 쉬운 문제를 틀렸어.
B: 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다니까, 괜찮아.
A: 고마워, 다음엔 더 잘할게.
A: I made a mistake on the exam.
B: What kind of mistake?
A: I got an easy question wrong.
B: Even monkeys fall from trees, it’s okay.
A: Thanks, I’ll do better next time.
Example 2
A: 어제 요리하다가 프라이팬을 떨어뜨렸어.
B: 무슨 요리하려고 했는데?
A: 그냥 라면 끓이려다가.
B: 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다니까, 너무 걱정하지 마.
A: 나 요리사 될 생각 접어야겠어!
A: I dropped the frying pan while cooking yesterday.
B: What were you trying to cook?
A: Just instant noodles.
B: Even monkeys fall from trees, don’t worry too much.
A: I should give up on becoming a chef!
8. 티끌 모아 태산
Pronunciation: Tikkeul moa taesan
Translation: Gather dust to make a mountain.
Meaning: Many a little makes a mickle.
Example 1
A: 용돈을 다 써버렸어.
B: 왜? 뭐 샀어?
A: 그냥 작은 것들 샀는데.
B: 티끌 모아 태산이야. 조금씩 모아야지.
A: 맞아, 다음부터는 저축할게.
A: I spent all my allowance.
B: Why? What did you buy?
A: Just small things.
B: Many a little makes a mickle. You should save up bit by bit.
A: You’re right, I’ll save from now on.
Example 2
A: 어제 로또 샀어.
B: 이번엔 또 몇 장 샀어?
A: 50장!
B: 티끌 모아 태산이라더니, 넌 진짜 태산을 쌓고 있구나.
A: 이번엔 꼭 당첨될 거야!
A: I bought a lottery ticket yesterday.
B: How many did you buy this time?
A: 50 tickets!
B: Many a little makes a mickle, you’re really building a mountain.
A: I’ll definitely win this time!
9. 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다
Pronunciation: Baeboda baekkobi deo keuda
Translation: The belly button is bigger than the belly.
Meaning: The minor parts end up costing more than the main part.
Example 1
A: 이 프로젝트 예산이 너무 많이 들어.
B: 왜 그렇게 된 거야?
A: 필요한 것보다 추가 비용이 더 많이 들었어.
B: 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다더니, 정말 그렇네.
A: 맞아, 좀 더 계획을 잘 세워야겠어.
A: This project is costing too much.
B: Why is that?
A: The extra costs are more than the essentials.
B: The belly button is bigger than the belly, really.
A: Yes, we need to plan better.
Example 2
A: 내 차를 고치려고 했는데 비용이 너무 많이 들었어.
B: 얼마나 나왔어?
A: 차 값보다 더 많이 나왔어.
B: 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다더니, 차를 새로 사는 게 낫겠네.
A: 정말 그러고 싶어!
A: I tried to fix my car, but it cost too much.
B: How much did it cost?
A: More than the car itself.
B: The belly button is bigger than the belly, you should buy a new car.
A: I really want to!
10. 가는 날이 장날이다
Pronunciation: Ganeun nal-i jangnal-ida
Translation: The day you go is market day.
Meaning: Things don’t go as planned.
Example 1
A: 오늘 도서관에 갔는데 문을 닫았어.
B: 왜 닫았어?
A: 공사 중이라서.
B: 가는 날이 장날이라더니, 운이 없네.
A: 맞아, 다른 날 다시 가야겠어.
A: I went to the library today, but it was closed.
B: Why was it closed?
A: They were doing renovations.
B: The day you go is market day, just bad luck.
A: Yes, I’ll go again another day.
Example 2
A: 오늘 놀이공원에 갔는데 문을 닫았어!
B: 왜? 무슨 일 있었어?
A: 청소 중이라서.
B: 가는 날이 장날이라더니, 너 정말 운이 없네.
A: 맞아, 청소 도와주고 올걸!
A: I went to the amusement park today, but it was closed!
B: Why? What happened?
A: They were cleaning.
B: The day you go is market day, you have really bad luck.
A: Yeah, I should have helped with the cleaning!
