손이 많이 가다
soni mani gada
To be labor-intensive
Wörtlich: 손 (hand) + 이 (subject marker) + 많이 (a lot) + 가다 (to go)
In 15 Sekunden
- Used for tasks requiring significant time, care, or manual labor.
- Can describe high-maintenance people or intricate, handmade items.
- Commonly used to praise the effort behind a delicious meal.
Bedeutung
This phrase describes something that requires a lot of care, attention, or manual effort to complete. Think of it as anything that isn't 'set it and forget it'—it needs your hands involved constantly.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Complimenting a host's dinner
와, 이 요리 정말 손이 많이 갔을 것 같아요!
Wow, this dish looks like it took a lot of work!
Talking about a new puppy
강아지는 귀엽지만 정말 손이 많이 가요.
Puppies are cute, but they are a lot of work.
Explaining a work project to a manager
이 보고서는 데이터가 많아서 손이 많이 가는 작업입니다.
This report involves a lot of data, so it's a labor-intensive task.
Kultureller Hintergrund
It is often used to praise someone's dedication to a task.
Use it for people!
It's very common to use this for children or pets.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used for tasks requiring significant time, care, or manual labor.
- Can describe high-maintenance people or intricate, handmade items.
- Commonly used to praise the effort behind a delicious meal.
What It Means
Imagine you are making traditional Korean kimchi. You have to wash, salt, rinse, and spice every single leaf. That is exactly what 손이 많이 가다 feels like. It describes tasks, people, or objects that demand constant attention. It is not necessarily a bad thing. It just means the process is intricate and labor-intensive. If something 'takes many hands,' it is high-maintenance but often worth it.
How To Use It
You use this phrase like an adjective to describe a noun. You can say a dish 손이 많이 가는 음식 (food that takes much effort). Or you can use it as a verb at the end of a sentence. Just say 손이 많이 가요 to tell someone a project is tough. It works for cooking, hobbies, and even raising pets. It is a very versatile way to explain why you are busy.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to show appreciation for someone's hard work. If a friend cooks a 10-course meal, tell them it looks like it 손이 많이 갔겠어요. It acknowledges their hidden effort. It is also perfect for the office. Use it to explain why a specific report is taking longer than expected. It sounds more descriptive than just saying 'it is hard.'
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for purely mental tasks that require no physical action. If you are just thinking hard, this is not the right fit. Also, be careful using it for your boss or elders. Calling a person 손이 많이 가는 사람 means they are needy or high-maintenance. Unless you are very close friends, it might sound a bit rude. Stick to objects or tasks in formal settings.
Cultural Background
Korean culture places a high value on 'jeong' (sincerity and affection). Often, the best gifts or meals are those where 손이 많이 갔다. It proves the giver invested their time and physical energy. In the past, elaborate handmade clothes or fermented foods were status symbols. They showed the household had the dedication to put in the 'hand-work.' Today, it still implies a sense of quality and craftsmanship.
Common Variations
You might hear 손을 타다, which means something is influenced by someone's touch. Another one is 손이 가다, which means your hand is naturally drawn to something. For example, a snack that is so tasty you keep reaching for it. But remember, adding 많이 (a lot) specifically shifts the meaning to the effort required. It is the difference between 'reaching for' and 'working on.'
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is neutral and safe for most settings. However, when describing people, it can sound patronizing or critical, so use it mainly for tasks, objects, or children.
Use it for people!
It's very common to use this for children or pets.
Beispiele
6와, 이 요리 정말 손이 많이 갔을 것 같아요!
Wow, this dish looks like it took a lot of work!
A polite way to acknowledge the cook's effort.
강아지는 귀엽지만 정말 손이 많이 가요.
Puppies are cute, but they are a lot of work.
Describes the constant attention a pet needs.
이 보고서는 데이터가 많아서 손이 많이 가는 작업입니다.
This report involves a lot of data, so it's a labor-intensive task.
Professional way to explain why a task is time-consuming.
뜨개질은 생각보다 손이 너무 많이 가네.
Knitting takes way more effort than I thought.
Casual observation about a hobby.
우리 막내는 아직 어려서 손이 많이 가요.
Our youngest is still small, so they need a lot of looking after.
Emotional context regarding childcare.
이 차는 오래돼서 여기저기 손이 많이 가요.
This car is old, so it needs constant repairs.
Humorous frustration about a high-maintenance object.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form.
우리 아들은 어릴 때부터 정말 ____.
The correct idiom is '손이 많이 가다'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /1
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
1 Aufgaben우리 아들은 어릴 때부터 정말 ____.
The correct idiom is '손이 많이 가다'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /1
Häufig gestellte Fragen
1 FragenNot necessarily; it depends on context.
Verwandte Redewendungen
정성이 들어가다
similarTo put sincerity into something
