Bedeutung
To feel a heavy responsibility or burden, often for someone else.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Sandwich Generation' (낀 세대) in Korea feels this phrase most acutely, as they must support both their aging parents and their children simultaneously. In Korean companies, the 'Team Leader' (팀장) role is seen as the point where the 'shoulder becomes a load,' as they are responsible for both the results and the well-being of their subordinates. High school seniors (고3) often use this to describe the pressure of the Suneung (CSAT) exam, which is seen as a burden for the whole family's future. Traditionally, the 'K-Jangnam' (eldest son) was expected to carry the heaviest 'jim' of the family lineage, though this is changing in modern urban Korea.
Use with '가장'
This phrase is most powerful when used with '가장' (head of household) to show deep respect for someone's hard work.
Don't over-complain
Using this too often about small things can make you sound like a 'Kkondae' (grumpy older person) or overly negative.
Bedeutung
To feel a heavy responsibility or burden, often for someone else.
Use with '가장'
This phrase is most powerful when used with '가장' (head of household) to show deep respect for someone's hard work.
Don't over-complain
Using this too often about small things can make you sound like a 'Kkondae' (grumpy older person) or overly negative.
Pair with '버티다'
Koreans often say '어깨가 짐이지만 버팁니다' (It's a burden, but I'm holding on). This shows resilience.
The 'Shoulder' connection
Remember that many Korean idioms about status or pride involve the shoulder. Keep a list of them!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct particle and verb form.
새로운 팀을 맡게 되어서 어깨___ 짐___.
The idiom is '어깨가 짐이다'.
Which situation is the MOST appropriate for this phrase?
When would you say '어깨가 짐이다'?
The phrase refers to heavy metaphorical responsibility, not physical weight or minor illness.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
가: 이번 프로젝트 팀장 맡으셨다면서요? 나: 네, 그래서 요즘 ________________.
Taking on a leadership role (팀장) creates a sense of responsibility (어깨가 짐이다).
Match the Korean phrase with its English equivalent/meaning.
Match the following:
These are all common shoulder-related idioms in Korean.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Shoulder Idioms
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben새로운 팀을 맡게 되어서 어깨___ 짐___.
The idiom is '어깨가 짐이다'.
When would you say '어깨가 짐이다'?
The phrase refers to heavy metaphorical responsibility, not physical weight or minor illness.
가: 이번 프로젝트 팀장 맡으셨다면서요? 나: 네, 그래서 요즘 ________________.
Taking on a leadership role (팀장) creates a sense of responsibility (어깨가 짐이다).
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are all common shoulder-related idioms in Korean.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo, it's not rude. If you say it about yourself, it shows you take your job seriously. If you say it about your boss, it shows you empathize with their hard work.
Yes, especially for big exams like the Suneung or a thesis defense.
'짐' is a 'load/luggage' (noun), while '부담' is 'burden/pressure' (abstract noun). '어깨가 짐이다' is more idiomatic and visual.
You can say '어깨가 가벼워졌어요' (My shoulder became light) or '짐을 벗었어요' (I took off the load).
Yes, but they might use more modern slang like '압박감' (feeling of pressure) in casual settings.
No, that would be '어깨를 다쳤어요' or '어깨가 아파요'.
It's neutral-to-heavy. It describes a difficult reality, but carrying that burden is often seen as honorable.
No, that doesn't make sense in Korean. The burden is always on the shoulders.
Yes, '어깨가 무겁습니다' is the more standard formal version used in speeches.
It means to be on equal footing with someone, not related to burdens.
Only if the relationship felt like a heavy social responsibility you had to maintain.
'어깨가' is standard for the idiom, but '어깨는' can be used for contrast (e.g., 'My legs are fine, but my shoulders are a burden').
Verwandte Redewendungen
어깨가 무겁다
synonymTo have a heavy shoulder
어깨를 펴다
contrastTo straighten one's shoulders
짐을 벗다
builds onTo take off the load
책임을 지다
specialized formTo take responsibility
어깨가 가볍다
contrastShoulder is light
