Bedeutung
To refer to a very small number, only a few of something.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Korea, the 'Top 3' (3대) or 'Top 5' (5대) lists are extremely popular for everything from bread shops to mountains. '손에 꼽다' is the linguistic engine behind these rankings. When a company is described as '손에 꼽히는 기업', it implies stability and prestige, often used in recruitment to attract top talent. Teachers use this phrase to motivate students, saying that those who master a certain difficult concept are '손에 꼽을 정도' to challenge them to join that elite group. On Korean Instagram or blogs, you will see hashtags like #손에꼽는맛집 to signal that a place is 'vetted' and truly exceptional among many options.
Use the Passive for Rankings
If you want to sound like a native speaker describing a top-tier person or company, always use '손에 꼽히다' instead of '손에 꼽다'.
Avoid Large Numbers
Never use this if the number is over 10-15. It will sound like you don't understand the idiom's core meaning of 'hand-countable'.
Bedeutung
To refer to a very small number, only a few of something.
Use the Passive for Rankings
If you want to sound like a native speaker describing a top-tier person or company, always use '손에 꼽히다' instead of '손에 꼽다'.
Avoid Large Numbers
Never use this if the number is over 10-15. It will sound like you don't understand the idiom's core meaning of 'hand-countable'.
Complimenting Hosts
When invited to a meal, saying '손에 꼽는 맛이에요' is a very high-level and polite way to praise the host's cooking.
The 'Wait' Confusion
If someone says '그날을 손꼽아 기다려요', they aren't saying the day is rare; they are saying they are counting the days because they are excited.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '손에 꼽다'.
이 영화는 내 인생 영화 중 ( ) 작품이야.
When describing a noun (작품) that you personally rank, '손에 꼽는' is the most natural adnominal form.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'rare'?
Choose the correct sentence:
Scholarship recipients are usually few, making '손에 꼽다' appropriate. Seoul has too many people, and you can't have 'many' (많은) things that are '손에 꼽는'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 이번 시험 어땠어? 많이 어려웠어? B: 응, 다 맞은 사람이 ( ).
'손에 꼽을 정도야' (to the degree of being countable on fingers) is the standard way to describe a small result.
Match the situation to the correct usage.
Situation: You are talking about a world-famous BTS song.
For a famous hit song (ranking), the passive '손에 꼽히는' is perfect.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Active vs Passive
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben이 영화는 내 인생 영화 중 ( ) 작품이야.
When describing a noun (작품) that you personally rank, '손에 꼽는' is the most natural adnominal form.
Choose the correct sentence:
Scholarship recipients are usually few, making '손에 꼽다' appropriate. Seoul has too many people, and you can't have 'many' (많은) things that are '손에 꼽는'.
A: 이번 시험 어땠어? 많이 어려웠어? B: 응, 다 맞은 사람이 ( ).
'손에 꼽을 정도야' (to the degree of being countable on fingers) is the standard way to describe a small result.
Situation: You are talking about a world-famous BTS song.
For a famous hit song (ranking), the passive '손에 꼽히는' is perfect.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, it is very common to use it for people who are experts or famous. '그는 손에 꼽히는 학자예요.'
Absolutely. It is professional and shows a good command of idiomatic Korean.
'손꼽다' is just a shorter version, but it more frequently carries the meaning of 'waiting eagerly' than the full phrase.
Yes, but it still implies rarity. '그는 손에 꼽히는 악당이에요' (He is one of the few truly bad villains).
In modern Korean, yes, especially when describing the status of something.
Usually 1 to 5, but can stretch to 10. Anything more feels too many for one's fingers.
No, that is not an idiom and would sound very strange!
The components (hand, count) are A1, but the idiomatic usage is usually taught at A2 or B1. However, it's great to learn early!
Yes, the word '굴지(屈指)' is the formal Hanja equivalent.
Yes, '시간이 손에 꼽을 만큼 남았다' (There is only a tiny amount of time left).
No, it is a standard idiom used in all levels of society.
Because you are counting 'in' or 'on' the hand as a location/tool.
Verwandte Redewendungen
손꼽아 기다리다
similarTo look forward to something eagerly.
굴지{屈指|굴지}의
specialized formLeading; prominent; top-tier.
다섯 손가락 안에 들다
similarTo be in the top five.
희귀하다{稀貴|희귀하다}
synonymTo be rare and precious.
흔하다
contrastTo be common/plentiful.
