A2 Proverb محايد

누이 좋고 매부 좋고.

Nui joko maebu joko.

Good for sister, good for brother-in-law.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A classic Korean proverb used to describe a 'win-win' situation where everyone involved gets a great deal.

  • Means: A mutually beneficial outcome for all parties.
  • Used in: Business deals, friendly favors, or compromising with friends.
  • Don't confuse: It's not about literal sisters; it's a metaphor for cooperation.
🤝 + 🎁 = 👧 (Sister) 😊 + 👨‍💼 (Brother-in-law) 😊

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'everyone is happy.' It is like saying 'win-win.' You use it when two people get something good. For example, 'You help me, I help you. It is good for both!' It uses simple words like 'sister' and 'good.'
This is a proverb for a mutually beneficial situation. '누이' is an older sister and '매부' is her husband. If something is good for both, it's a perfect deal. It's common in daily life when making plans or sharing things with friends.
This proverb describes a 'win-win' scenario. It's often used in social and business contexts to suggest that a proposal benefits all parties involved. The parallel structure 'A 좋고 B 좋고' emphasizes balance. It's a friendly way to encourage cooperation and reach an agreement.
A classic idiomatic expression representing reciprocal benefit. While '꿩 먹고 알 먹고' focuses on a single person gaining two things, '누이 좋고 매부 좋고' specifically highlights the interpersonal aspect of a deal. It's an essential phrase for understanding Korean social dynamics and the emphasis on mutual prosperity.
This proverb functions as a socio-linguistic lubricant in negotiations. By utilizing familial metaphors (nui/maebu), it shifts the context from a cold transaction to a communal benefit. It reflects the Confucian roots of Korean society where family harmony is the blueprint for all social interactions. Mastery involves knowing when to use this 'folksy' charm to build rapport.
An analysis of this proverb reveals the deep-seated linguistic preference for balanced, rhythmic couplets in Korean folk wisdom. The phonological symmetry of '좋고' reinforces the semantic concept of equilibrium. It serves as a prime example of how traditional kinship terminology is mapped onto abstract concepts of game theory and social reciprocity in the modern Korean lexicon.

المعنى

A situation that is mutually beneficial or advantageous for all parties involved.

🌍

خلفية ثقافية

The use of 'Nui' (older sister) and 'Maebu' (brother-in-law) reflects the importance of the extended family network in Chosun-era Korea. In-laws were seen as vital allies. Koreans value 'Win-Win' (상생) highly in business to maintain long-term harmony. A deal that leaves one side unhappy is considered bad for 'Kibun' (feelings/mood). Korean has many proverbs involving family members (aunt, uncle, sister) because the society was traditionally organized around clan units.

🎯

Use it in negotiations

When you want to suggest a compromise, start with '누이 좋고 매부 좋게...' to show you are being fair.

💬

Family terms

Remember that '누이' is specifically a sister from a brother's perspective, but the proverb is universal.

المعنى

A situation that is mutually beneficial or advantageous for all parties involved.

🎯

Use it in negotiations

When you want to suggest a compromise, start with '누이 좋고 매부 좋게...' to show you are being fair.

💬

Family terms

Remember that '누이' is specifically a sister from a brother's perspective, but the proverb is universal.

اختبر نفسك

Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.

누이 좋고 ____ 좋고.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 매부

The standard proverb is '누이 좋고 매부 좋고.'

Which situation best fits the proverb '누이 좋고 매부 좋고'?

Choose the best scenario:

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: I helped my friend study, and she bought me lunch.

This is a win-win situation where both parties benefit.

Complete the dialogue.

가: 이번에 서로 돕기로 한 거 말이야. 나: 응, 너는 시간을 아끼고 나는 돈을 버니까 정말 ( ).

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 누이 좋고 매부 좋네

The context describes a mutually beneficial situation.

🎉 النتيجة: /3

وسائل تعلم بصرية

الأسئلة الشائعة

2 أسئلة

Yes, but use a polite ending like '누이 좋고 매부 좋은 일인 것 같습니다.' It shows you are thinking about the company's benefit.

Yes, though young people might use the English word 'Win-win' more often, they still understand and use this proverb for a 'classic' feel.

عبارات ذات صلة

🔗

꿩 먹고 알 먹고

similar

Eat the pheasant and the egg.

🔄

일석이조

synonym

One stone, two birds.

🔗

도랑 치고 가재 잡고

similar

Clean the ditch and catch a crawfish.

أين تستخدمها

🚕

Splitting a Taxi

Minho: 우리 집 방향이 같으니까 택시 같이 타고 가자.

Jisoo: 좋아! 택시비도 아끼고 편하게 가니까 누이 좋고 매부 좋네.

informal
🤝

Business Partnership

Manager Kim: 저희 기술과 귀사의 유통망이 합쳐지면 큰 시너지가 날 것입니다.

Director Lee: 맞습니다. 누이 좋고 매부 좋은 협력이 되겠군요.

formal
🗣️

Language Exchange

Learner: 제가 한국어를 배우는 동안 영어 연습을 도와드릴게요.

Korean Friend: 와, 누이 좋고 매부 좋고! 정말 고마워요.

neutral
🍎

Buying at a Traditional Market

Customer: 사장님, 많이 샀으니까 조금만 깎아주세요.

Seller: 알았어요. 누이 좋고 매부 좋게 천 원 빼줄게요!

informal
💻

Office Task Sharing

Colleague A: 제가 엑셀 정리를 할 테니, 대리님이 보고서를 써주시겠어요?

Colleague B: 그게 좋겠네요. 누이 좋고 매부 좋게 빨리 끝냅시다.

neutral
🍝

Dating / Dinner Choice

Boyfriend: 오늘 파스타 먹으러 갈까? 너 파스타 좋아하잖아.

Girlfriend: 응! 마침 나 쿠폰도 있어. 누이 좋고 매부 좋고!

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a happy wedding: the Sister (Nui) is happy to be married, and the Brother-in-law (Maebu) is happy to join the family. Everyone wins!

Visual Association

Imagine a seesaw that is perfectly balanced with a gift on both sides. On one side sits a smiling woman (Nui) and on the other, her smiling husband (Maebu).

Rhyme

누이 좋고 매부 좋고, 우리 사이 아주 좋고! (Nui joko maebu joko, uri sai aju joko! - Sister good, brother-in-law good, our relationship is very good!)

Story

Once, a brother gave his sister a bag of rice. The sister used it to make delicious cakes for her husband. The husband was so energized he worked harder and bought the brother a new tool. The brother said, 'Wow, this is truly 누이 좋고 매부 좋고!'

Word Web

이익 (Profit)상생 (Win-win/Coexistence)협력 (Cooperation)공평 (Fairness)가족 (Family)화합 (Harmony)일석이조 (Two birds, one stone)

تحدٍّ

Try to use this phrase today when you make a small deal with a friend, like 'You buy the coffee, I'll buy the donuts—누이 좋고 매부 좋고!'

In Other Languages

English high

A win-win situation

English is more abstract; Korean is more metaphorical/familial.

Spanish high

Todos ganan

Spanish is more direct and less idiomatic than the Korean proverb.

French high

Gagnant-gagnant

French lacks the specific family-based imagery of the Korean version.

German high

Eine Win-Win-Situation

German tends to be more literal or uses the loanword.

Japanese moderate

三方よし (Sanpo-yoshi)

Japanese includes 'society' as a third beneficiary.

Arabic partial

لا غالب ولا مغلوب (La ghalib wa la maghlub)

Focuses on the absence of loss rather than the presence of gain.

Chinese high

双赢 (Shuāngyíng)

Shuangying is very modern/corporate; Korean is traditional/folksy.

Portuguese high

Bom para os dois lados

Lacks the specific idiomatic structure of the Korean proverb.

Easily Confused

누이 좋고 매부 좋고. مقابل 사촌이 땅을 사면 배가 아프다

Both involve family members and gain.

This one is about jealousy (negative), while '누이 좋고...' is about mutual happiness (positive).

الأسئلة الشائعة (2)

Yes, but use a polite ending like '누이 좋고 매부 좋은 일인 것 같습니다.' It shows you are thinking about the company's benefit.

Yes, though young people might use the English word 'Win-win' more often, they still understand and use this proverb for a 'classic' feel.

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