B1 Idiom محايد

인맥이 넓다

inmaegi neolda

Have a wide network.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this to describe someone who knows everyone and has connections in many different circles and industries.

  • Means: Having a vast and diverse network of personal and professional connections.
  • Used in: Job interviews, business meetings, and social gatherings to describe influence.
  • Don't confuse: With just having 'many friends'; it implies strategic or useful connections.
👤 + 🌐 + ↔️ = {인맥|人脈}이 {넓다|廣}

Explanation at your level:

This phrase is about having many friends and people you know. 'Inmaek' means 'people connections'. 'Neolpda' means 'wide'. So, it means your circle of people is very big. You can use it to talk about a popular person.
You use this idiom to describe someone who is very social. It means they have many contacts in different places like school, work, or clubs. It is similar to saying 'I have many friends,' but it sounds a bit more grown-up and professional.
At this level, you should understand that 'Inmaek' refers to a 'human network'. This phrase is commonly used in professional contexts to describe someone who is well-connected. It implies that the person has influence because they know people in various fields. It's a useful expression for business or describing social status.
This expression characterizes an individual's extensive social capital. It suggests that their reach extends across diverse social strata and professional industries. In Korean society, having a wide 'Inmaek' is often viewed as a prerequisite for success, as it facilitates access to information and opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable.
The phrase '인맥이 넓다' encapsulates the socio-cultural importance of interpersonal networks in Korea. Linguistically, it utilizes the metaphor of 'veins' (脈) to illustrate the flow of influence. An advanced learner should recognize its nuances—how it can be a compliment for social dexterity or, in certain political contexts, a subtle nod to the power of established social cliques.
This idiom serves as a linguistic gateway into the complex Korean social architecture defined by 'Yeon-go-ju-ui' (connectionism). Mastery involves understanding the interplay between 'Inmaek' and institutional power. It transcends mere popularity, representing a strategic accumulation of relational assets that are navigated through specific linguistic registers and social etiquette, reflecting a deeply embedded collectivist ethos.

المعنى

To have many acquaintances or connections in various fields.

🌍

خلفية ثقافية

The concept of 'Inmaek' is often criticized when it leads to 'nepotism', but it is also respected as a vital social skill. Many Koreans attend 'networking' academies or join alumni associations specifically to 'widen their network'. In Korean companies, 'Inmaek' can determine how quickly a project gets approved. A manager with a wide network can call a friend in another department to speed things up. Modern Koreans use the term 'In-ssa' (insider) for people with wide networks. Having a wide 'Inmaek' on Instagram or LinkedIn is seen as a form of modern power. The emphasis on 'Inmaek' stems from a collectivist history where survival depended on the village and family. Being 'alone' was seen as a weakness.

💡

Use it in Interviews

Saying you want to 'widen your network' shows you are proactive and social.

⚠️

Don't say 'Inmaek-i keoda'

Even though 'big' makes sense in English, it sounds very wrong in Korean.

المعنى

To have many acquaintances or connections in various fields.

💡

Use it in Interviews

Saying you want to 'widen your network' shows you are proactive and social.

⚠️

Don't say 'Inmaek-i keoda'

Even though 'big' makes sense in English, it sounds very wrong in Korean.

🎯

Combine with 'Madangbal'

If someone is exceptionally well-connected, call them a 'Madangbal' for a more native feel.

💬

Understand 'Hak-yeon'

If you meet a Korean, mentioning your school can be the first step to 'widening your network'.

اختبر نفسك

Fill in the blank with the correct particle and adjective.

그는 사회 생활을 오래 해서 인맥___ ______.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: a

The subject '인맥' takes the particle '이', and the correct adjective is '넓어요'.

Which sentence is the most natural way to say someone is well-connected in a business setting?

김 부장님은 업계에서...

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: b

'인맥이 넓으세요' is the most professional and natural honorific form.

Match the phrase to the most likely person.

누구에게 '인맥이 넓다'라는 표현을 쓸까요?

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: b

A businessman who is invited to parties and knows many people fits the definition perfectly.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 이번에 취직했다며? 축하해! B: 고마워. 선배가 도와준 덕분이야. 그 선배는 정말 ( ).

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: b

If a senior helped someone get a job, it's likely because they have a wide network.

🎉 النتيجة: /4

وسائل تعلم بصرية

Inmaek vs. Friends

인맥 (Inmaek)
Professional Professional
Broad Broad
Strategic Strategic
친구 (Friends)
Personal Personal
Deep Deep
Emotional Emotional

الأسئلة الشائعة

12 أسئلة

No, it can be used for social circles too, but it often implies that the connections are useful or influential.

'Chingu' means friends you like. 'Inmaek' are people you know who might help you or provide information.

No, 'wide' (넓다) is the only standard adjective for the scale of a network.

Not at all! It is usually a big compliment regarding their social skills and success.

You can say '인맥을 쌓다' (to build a network) or '네트워킹을 하다'.

Not inherently, but like 'connections' in English, it can be used in that context if the situation is suspicious.

It's a person with very wide feet (metaphorically), meaning they go everywhere and know everyone.

Yes, it's a very appropriate term for professional networking sites.

Yes, 人 (Person) + 脈 (Pulse/Vein).

'인맥이 좁다' (The network is narrow) or '아는 사람이 별로 없다'.

Use '인맥이 넓으십니다' or '인맥이 넓으세요'.

The term 'Inmaek' is used, but the cultural context of business networking is different.

عبارات ذات صلة

🔄

발이 넓다

synonym

To have a wide range of acquaintances.

🔗

마당발

specialized form

A person who is very well-connected.

🔗

인맥을 쌓다

builds on

To build/accumulate a network.

🔗

끈이 있다

similar

To have a 'string' (connection) to someone powerful.

أين تستخدمها

💼

Job Interview

Interviewer: 우리 회사 영업직은 사람들을 많이 만나야 하는데, 자신 있나요?

Applicant: 네, 저는 전 직장에서도 인맥이 넓기로 유명했습니다. 새로운 고객을 찾는 데 자신 있습니다.

formal
🎉

At a Party

Friend A: 와, 저 사람 여기 있는 사람들 다 아는 것 같아.

Friend B: 응, 쟤 진짜 인맥이 넓어. 모르는 사람이 없더라고.

informal
📊

Business Strategy Meeting

Manager: 이번 프로젝트를 도와줄 전문가가 필요한데, 아는 사람 없나요?

Employee: 김 이사님이 인맥이 넓으시니까 한번 여쭤보는 게 어떨까요?

formal
🙏

Asking for a Favor

Person A: 나 이번에 콘서트 티켓 구하고 싶은데 너무 어렵네.

Person B: 너 인맥 넓잖아! 공연 기획사 다니는 친구한테 물어봐.

neutral
📱

Gossiping about a Celebrity

Fan 1: 이 아이돌은 어떻게 해외 스타들이랑 다 친해?

Fan 2: 원래 인맥이 넓기로 유명하대. 성격이 진짜 좋나 봐.

informal
🤝

Networking Event

Attendee A: 오늘 여기 오신 분들 정말 대단하네요.

Attendee B: 네, 이런 곳에 자주 와야 인맥이 넓어지는 것 같아요.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Inmaek' as 'Internet' for 'People'. If your Internet (Inmaek) is wide (neolpda), you can connect to anyone anywhere!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant spider web where every strand is a person. A person with a wide 'Inmaek' is sitting in the middle of a web that covers the entire city.

Rhyme

인맥이 넓으면, 앞길이 밝으면 (If your network is wide, your path ahead is bright)

Story

Min-su wanted to start a cafe but had no money. However, his 'Inmaek' was wide. He knew a banker for a loan, a designer for the logo, and a famous blogger for marketing. Because his network was wide, his cafe became a hit in one month.

Word Web

인맥 (Human network)넓다 (Wide)마당발 (Social butterfly)연결 (Connection)사회생활 (Social life)성공 (Success)소통 (Communication)관계 (Relationship)

تحدٍّ

Try to find one person in your contact list who fits this description and write three sentences about why their 'Inmaek' is wide.

In Other Languages

English high

To be well-connected

English uses 'connected' (linkage), Korean uses 'wide' (breadth).

Japanese high

顔が広い (Kao ga hiroi)

Japanese focuses on the 'face' (recognition), Korean on the 'network' (structure).

Chinese high

人脉广 (Rénmài guǎng)

Virtually no difference in meaning or usage.

Spanish moderate

Tener muchos contactos

Spanish is more literal, focusing on the 'contacts' themselves.

French partial

Avoir un bras long

French emphasizes reach/power; Korean emphasizes the breadth of the network.

German high

Gut vernetzt sein

German is more technical/modern; Korean has deeper traditional roots.

Arabic moderate

لديه معارف كثيرة (Ladayhi ma'arif kathira)

Arabic focuses on the act of knowing; Korean on the structure of the connection.

Portuguese high

Ter um bom networking

Portuguese often borrows the English term for professional contexts.

Easily Confused

인맥이 넓다 مقابل 친구가 많다

Learners think it's the same as having a wide network.

'Friends' are for fun; 'Inmaek' is for social/professional leverage.

인맥이 넓다 مقابل 발이 크다

Literal translation of 'big feet' vs 'wide feet' (idiom).

Always use 'wide' (넓다) for the idiom.

الأسئلة الشائعة (12)

No, it can be used for social circles too, but it often implies that the connections are useful or influential.

'Chingu' means friends you like. 'Inmaek' are people you know who might help you or provide information.

No, 'wide' (넓다) is the only standard adjective for the scale of a network.

Not at all! It is usually a big compliment regarding their social skills and success.

You can say '인맥을 쌓다' (to build a network) or '네트워킹을 하다'.

Not inherently, but like 'connections' in English, it can be used in that context if the situation is suspicious.

It's a person with very wide feet (metaphorically), meaning they go everywhere and know everyone.

Yes, it's a very appropriate term for professional networking sites.

Yes, 人 (Person) + 脈 (Pulse/Vein).

'인맥이 좁다' (The network is narrow) or '아는 사람이 별로 없다'.

Use '인맥이 넓으십니다' or '인맥이 넓으세요'.

The term 'Inmaek' is used, but the cultural context of business networking is different.

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