귀를 막다
gwi-reul makda
Cover one's ears
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Literally 'blocking ears,' this idiom describes refusing to listen to advice, criticism, or unpleasant truths in social situations.
- Means: Refusing to listen or ignoring what others are saying.
- Used in: Arguments, when receiving unwanted advice, or avoiding spoilers.
- Don't confuse: With '귀가 막히다' which means to be dumbfounded or amazing.
Explanation at your level:
Bedeutung
To block out sound with one's hands, often to avoid hearing something unpleasant.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Korean corporate culture, 'blocking ears' is a common complaint against 'Kkondae' (authoritarian older people/bosses). It represents a generational gap in communication styles. Confucian values emphasize 'I-cheong' ({耳聽|이청}), the wisdom of listening. Blocking ears is seen as a rejection of this fundamental path to self-improvement. K-pop lyrics often use 'blocking ears' to describe a protagonist who wants to ignore the harsh words of society or critics to follow their own path. Korean parents often use this phrase when their children are going through a rebellious phase (Sishunchi), indicating a breakdown in parental authority.
Use with '-고 있다'
To describe someone who is currently being stubborn, use '귀를 막고 있어요'. It sounds very natural.
Don't be too direct
Telling someone '귀를 막지 마세요' can be very rude. Use it to describe a third person instead.
Bedeutung
To block out sound with one's hands, often to avoid hearing something unpleasant.
Use with '-고 있다'
To describe someone who is currently being stubborn, use '귀를 막고 있어요'. It sounds very natural.
Don't be too direct
Telling someone '귀를 막지 마세요' can be very rude. Use it to describe a third person instead.
Combine with '고집'
Use it with '고집이 세다' (to be stubborn) to sound like a pro: '고집이 세서 귀를 막고 있네요.'
News Context
When you see '귀를 막다' in a newspaper, it's almost always about politics or social issues.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '귀를 막다'.
아무리 말해도 그는 (______) 제 말을 듣지 않아요.
'귀를 막고' (blocking his ears and...) is the most natural way to describe a continuous state of ignoring someone.
Which situation best fits the idiom '귀를 막다'?
다음 중 '귀를 막다'를 사용하기 가장 좋은 상황은?
The idiom is used when someone willfully ignores advice or criticism.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 민수 씨한테 그 소식 전했어요? 나: 네, 그런데 민수 씨는 (______).
This correctly expresses that Minsu is refusing to hear the news.
Match the phrase to the nuance.
Match '귀를 막다' with its figurative nuance.
The primary figurative nuance of '귀를 막다' is stubbornness or refusal to communicate.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Active vs Passive Ears
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, but usually we say '귀마개를 하다' (to use earplugs). '귀를 막다' sounds more like using your hands.
Mostly yes, as it implies ignoring something. However, it can be neutral if you're literally blocking out noise.
'막다' is more common and feels more active/physical. '닫다' is slightly more metaphorical and formal.
You can say '내 말에 귀 막지 마' (Informal) or '제 말에 귀를 막지 마세요' (Polite).
The words are native Korean, but the concept is related to {閉塞|폐색} (blockage).
No, for texts we use '읽씹' (read and chew/ignore). '귀를 막다' is specifically for spoken words or advice.
No, it's too accusatory. Use '제 의견도 들어주셨으면 좋겠습니다' instead.
Yes, but '귀를 막다' emphasizes the *refusal* to listen more than the *pretending* part.
Yes, it's a cute way to describe a dog ignoring its owner.
'귀를 기울이다' (to lean one's ear/listen carefully).
Yes, it's one of the most common idioms involving body parts in Korean.
Yes, it's very effective in persuasive or critical essays.
Verwandte Redewendungen
귀를 기울이다
contrastTo listen carefully; to lean one's ear toward something.
한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘리다
similarIn one ear and out the other.
귀가 가렵다
builds onTo feel like someone is talking about you.
귀를 닫다
synonymTo close one's ears.
못 들은 체하다
similarTo pretend not to hear.
Wo du es verwendest
Ignoring parents
Mom: 공부 좀 해! 언제까지 놀 거야?
Son: (귀를 막으며) 아, 안 들려요! 안 들어!
Workplace stubbornness
Employee A: 팀장님께 이 문제를 말씀드렸나요?
Employee B: 네, 하지만 팀장님은 귀를 막고 제 말을 안 들으세요.
Avoiding spoilers
Friend A: 야, 어제 본 영화 진짜 반전이...
Friend B: 아! 말하지 마! (귀를 막으며) 나 아직 안 봤어!
Political protest
Reporter: 시민들이 이렇게 외치는데 정부의 입장은 무엇입니까?
Activist: 정부는 국민의 목소리에 귀를 막고 있습니다!
Relationship conflict
Girlfriend: 우리 대화 좀 해. 너 요즘 너무 변했어.
Boyfriend: 또 그 소리야? 난 귀 막을래.
Construction noise
Passerby A: 와, 소음이 정말 심하네요.
Passerby B: 그러게요. 귀를 막지 않으면 지나갈 수가 없어요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of the 3 Wise Monkeys: 'Hear no evil' is literally blocking your ears to avoid something.
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing in a rain of words, holding a giant umbrella over their ears so not a single word can touch them.
Rhyme
귀를 막고, 입은 닫고 (Ears blocked, mouth closed).
Story
Min-su's mom told him to clean his room ten times. Min-su didn't want to hear it, so he put on his biggest headphones without any music. He was literally and figuratively 'blocking his ears' to his mom's nagging.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to find one K-drama scene today where a character refuses to listen and say '귀를 막고 있네요' out loud.
In Other Languages
To turn a deaf ear
English emphasizes the result (deafness), Korean emphasizes the action (blocking).
耳を塞ぐ (Mimi o fusagu)
Virtually no difference in usage or nuance.
充耳不闻 (Chōng ěr bù wén)
The Chinese version is more formal/literary than the Korean '귀를 막다'.
Hacer oídos sordos
Spanish uses the verb 'hacer' (to make), implying a deliberate creation of deafness.
Faire la sourde oreille
Similar to Spanish, it focuses on 'pretending' to be deaf.
Auf Durchzug schalten
The German metaphor is mechanical/architectural, while Korean is physical/manual.
صم آذانه (Samma adhanahu)
Often used in a more serious or poetic context in Arabic.
Fazer ouvidos de mercador
Includes a specific cultural reference to trade/merchants.
Easily Confused
Both use 'ear' and 'block' (makda/makhida).
Remember that '막다' is something YOU do (active), while '막히다' is something that HAPPENS (passive). '막히다' usually means you are shocked.
Sounds like 'blocking' but means 'to go deaf'.
'먹다' here is an old usage for 'becoming'. It refers to actual hearing loss.
FAQ (12)
Yes, but usually we say '귀마개를 하다' (to use earplugs). '귀를 막다' sounds more like using your hands.
Mostly yes, as it implies ignoring something. However, it can be neutral if you're literally blocking out noise.
'막다' is more common and feels more active/physical. '닫다' is slightly more metaphorical and formal.
You can say '내 말에 귀 막지 마' (Informal) or '제 말에 귀를 막지 마세요' (Polite).
The words are native Korean, but the concept is related to {閉塞|폐색} (blockage).
No, for texts we use '읽씹' (read and chew/ignore). '귀를 막다' is specifically for spoken words or advice.
No, it's too accusatory. Use '제 의견도 들어주셨으면 좋겠습니다' instead.
Yes, but '귀를 막다' emphasizes the *refusal* to listen more than the *pretending* part.
Yes, it's a cute way to describe a dog ignoring its owner.
'귀를 기울이다' (to lean one's ear/listen carefully).
Yes, it's one of the most common idioms involving body parts in Korean.
Yes, it's very effective in persuasive or critical essays.
