두말하면 잔소리죠.
dumalhamyeon jansorijyo.
No need to say twice.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A punchy way to say 'obviously' by suggesting that repeating the truth would just be annoying nagging.
- Means: It is so obvious that saying it again is unnecessary.
- Used in: Responding to questions with evident 'yes' answers.
- Don't confuse: With actual nagging (jansori) in a negative context.
Explanation at your level:
Bedeutung
It means it's so obvious it doesn't need to be stated again.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of 'Jansori' (nagging) is a major theme in Korean family dynamics, often seen as a sign of affection or concern, even if it's annoying. Using it in this idiom flips the annoyance into a positive affirmation. In KakaoTalk or YouTube comments, you'll often see this phrase shortened or accompanied by emojis like '💯' or '👍' to show absolute agreement with a post. Witty characters often use this phrase to show they are 'quick on the uptake' (nunchi-ga ppareuda). It's a sign of a confident, socially savvy person. While Korea is hierarchical, the 'consultative' register of this phrase allows it to be used by a subordinate to show strong support for a superior's idea, provided the tone is respectful.
Tone Matters
Say it with a bright, confident tone. If you say it too flatly, it might lose its 'enthusiastic agreement' nuance.
Not for 'No'
Remember, this is only for 'Yes' situations. Don't use it if you want to say 'Obviously not!'
Bedeutung
It means it's so obvious it doesn't need to be stated again.
Tone Matters
Say it with a bright, confident tone. If you say it too flatly, it might lose its 'enthusiastic agreement' nuance.
Not for 'No'
Remember, this is only for 'Yes' situations. Don't use it if you want to say 'Obviously not!'
The 'Ji' Ending
Use '두말하면 잔소리지' with friends to sound like a native K-drama character. It adds a cool, 'of course' vibe.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the dialogue using the correct form of the phrase.
가: 이번 주말에 같이 등산 갈래? 나: ________! 나 등산 정말 좋아하잖아.
The speaker is enthusiastically agreeing to go hiking. '두말하면 잔소리죠' is the standard polite form.
Which situation is MOST appropriate for using '두말하면 잔소리죠'?
Choose the best context:
This is a classic 'obvious yes' situation where enthusiastic agreement is natural.
Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the idiom.
그 가수의 가창력은 두말하면 ______입니다.
The idiom is '두말하면 잔소리'. '헛소리' means nonsense, '목소리' means voice, and '큰소리' means loud talk/boasting.
Select the most natural informal (banmal) version of the phrase.
A: 너도 파티 올 거지? B: ________
'-지' is the standard informal ending for this idiom when speaking to friends.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenUsually, yes, it means nagging. But in this specific idiom, it's used rhetorically and is not negative at all.
Yes, if you use the '-입니다' or '-죠' ending and the atmosphere is friendly. It shows you strongly support their point.
'당연하죠' is more direct and standard. '두말하면 잔소리죠' is more idiomatic, colorful, and emphasizes that the question was almost unnecessary.
It's great for casual writing, blogs, or texts. In very formal academic papers, use '말할 필요도 없이' instead.
In texting, people sometimes just write '두말하면 잔소리' without the ending verb.
Not at all! It's a classic idiom that people of all ages use daily.
No, the idiom is fixed with '두말' (two words/saying it twice).
It refers to repeating the same thing a second time. The first time is information; the second time is nagging.
Telling someone '잔소리 그만해' (Stop nagging) can be rude. But '두말하면 잔소리죠' is a self-referential idiom and is perfectly polite.
Use '말도 안 돼요' (That doesn't even make sense) or '그럴 리가요' (No way).
Verwandte Redewendungen
두말하면 입 아프다
synonymIf I say it twice, my mouth hurts.
말해 뭐해
similarWhat's the point of saying it?
당연지사
specialized formA matter of course.
말할 것도 없다
synonymThere is nothing even to say.
Wo du es verwendest
At a Korean BBQ restaurant
Friend: 고기 더 시킬까?
You: 두말하면 잔소리지! 빨리 시키자.
Discussing a K-drama
Colleague: 어제 그 드라마 보셨어요? 진짜 재미있죠?
You: 두말하면 잔소리죠. 마지막 장면이 대박이었어요.
Workplace success
Manager: 이번 계약이 우리 회사에 중요하겠죠?
You: 두말하면 잔소리입니다. 최선을 다하겠습니다.
Travel planning
Sibling: 이번 여름에 바다 갈 거지?
You: 두말하면 잔소리지. 벌써 수영복 샀어.
Dating/Relationships
Partner: 나 많이 사랑해?
You: 두말하면 잔소리지! 세상에서 제일 사랑해.
Shopping for a deal
Clerk: 이 옷 지금 세일 중인데 정말 싸죠?
You: 두말하면 잔소리죠. 바로 살게요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think: 'Two-Talk-Nag'. If I talk two times, I'm nagging. So I'll only say it once: OF COURSE!
Visual Association
Imagine a giant number '2' turning into a mouth that is being zipped shut, while a bright 'YES' neon sign flashes in the background.
Rhyme
두말하면 잔소리, 안 하면 섭섭하지! (If I say it twice it's nagging, if I don't say it at all you'll be sad!)
Story
You are at a restaurant. The food is amazing. Your friend asks, 'Is it good?' You start to say 'Yes' twice, but then you remember your mom nagging you. You stop and say, 'If I say it twice, it's nagging!'—implying it's so good you shouldn't even have to ask.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Today, whenever someone asks you a question with a 'Yes' answer, respond with '두말하면 잔소리죠' instead of just '네'.
In Other Languages
It goes without saying / You bet!
The Korean version specifically uses the concept of 'nagging' as the reason for not speaking.
Ni que decirlo / ¡Desde luego!
Spanish doesn't typically link this to the concept of 'nagging' or 'annoying repetition'.
Cela va sans dire
The French version is much more formal and lacks the colloquial 'punch' of the Korean 'jansori'.
Das versteht sich von selbst
German focuses on logic/understanding, while Korean focuses on the social annoyance of repetition.
言うまでもない (Iu made mo nai)
Japanese is slightly more literal, whereas Korean uses the 'nagging' metaphor.
لا يحتاج لقول (La yahtaj liqawl)
Arabic often uses more religious or formal intensifiers to show agreement.
那还用说 (Nà hái yòng shuō)
The Chinese version is a question, while the Korean version is a statement of consequence (it becomes nagging).
Nem precisa falar / Com certeza
Portuguese speakers might use 'Com certeza' (With certainty) more frequently in a wider range of formality.
Easily Confused
Learners might think '두말하면 잔소리' is a request to stop nagging.
If '두말하면' is at the start, it's an idiom for agreement. If '잔소리' is the object of '그만하다' (stop), it's a complaint.
Both start with '두말' (two words).
'두말 말고' means 'without further ado' or 'don't argue,' usually followed by a command.
FAQ (10)
Usually, yes, it means nagging. But in this specific idiom, it's used rhetorically and is not negative at all.
Yes, if you use the '-입니다' or '-죠' ending and the atmosphere is friendly. It shows you strongly support their point.
'당연하죠' is more direct and standard. '두말하면 잔소리죠' is more idiomatic, colorful, and emphasizes that the question was almost unnecessary.
It's great for casual writing, blogs, or texts. In very formal academic papers, use '말할 필요도 없이' instead.
In texting, people sometimes just write '두말하면 잔소리' without the ending verb.
Not at all! It's a classic idiom that people of all ages use daily.
No, the idiom is fixed with '두말' (two words/saying it twice).
It refers to repeating the same thing a second time. The first time is information; the second time is nagging.
Telling someone '잔소리 그만해' (Stop nagging) can be rude. But '두말하면 잔소리죠' is a self-referential idiom and is perfectly polite.
Use '말도 안 돼요' (That doesn't even make sense) or '그럴 리가요' (No way).
