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.
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
To block out sound with one's hands, often to avoid hearing something unpleasant.
Contexto cultural
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.
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.
Ponte a prueba
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.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Active vs Passive Ears
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejercicios아무리 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.
다음 중 '귀를 막다'를 사용하기 가장 좋은 상황은?
The idiom is used when someone willfully ignores advice or criticism.
가: 민수 씨한테 그 소식 전했어요? 나: 네, 그런데 민수 씨는 (______).
This correctly expresses that Minsu is refusing to hear the news.
Match '귀를 막다' with its figurative nuance.
The primary figurative nuance of '귀를 막다' is stubbornness or refusal to communicate.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, 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.
Frases relacionadas
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.
Dónde usarla
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.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of the 3 Wise Monkeys: 'Hear no evil' is literally blocking your ears to avoid something.
Asociación visual
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.
In Other Languages
English has 'turn a deaf ear,' and Japanese uses '耳を塞ぐ' (mimi o fusagu) which is almost identical in both literal and figurative senses.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to find one K-drama scene today where a character refuses to listen and say '귀를 막고 있네요' out loud.
Review this phrase on day 1, 3, and 7. Focus on the difference between physical blocking and mental ignoring.
Pronunciación
The 'wi' sound is like 'we' in English but shorter.
The 'k' sound in 'mak' makes the 'd' in 'da' sound like a tense 't'.
Espectro de formalidad
제 말씀에 귀를 막지 마십시오. (Asking someone to listen)
제 말에 귀를 막지 마세요. (Asking someone to listen)
내 말에 귀 막지 마. (Asking someone to listen)
귀 닫지 말고 좀 들어. (Asking someone to listen)
Derived from the physical action of covering ears to avoid loud or painful sounds, which naturally extended to psychological 'pain' caused by criticism or unwanted truths.
Dato curioso
In ancient Korean folklore, characters who blocked their ears to the advice of spirits often ended up being turned into stone or animals.
Notas culturales
In Korean corporate culture, 'blocking ears' is a common complaint against 'Kkondae' (authoritarian older people/bosses). It represents a generational gap in communication styles.
“우리 부장님은 완전 귀를 막고 사시는 것 같아. (It feels like our manager lives with his ears completely blocked.)”
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.
“군자는 귀를 막지 않는다. (A true gentleman does not block his ears.)”
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.
“IU's song 'Celebrity' mentions walking while blocking one's ears to the noise of the world.”
Korean parents often use this phrase when their children are going through a rebellious phase (Sishunchi), indicating a breakdown in parental authority.
“사춘기라 그런지 엄마 말에 귀를 딱 막아버리네. (Maybe because it's puberty, but he's just blocking his ears to his mom's words.)”
Inicios de conversación
친구의 조언에 귀를 막아본 적이 있나요?
상사가 부하 직원의 말에 귀를 막으면 어떻게 될까요?
정부가 국민의 목소리에 귀를 막고 있다고 생각하는 이슈가 있나요?
사람들은 왜 진실에 귀를 막으려고 할까요?
Errores comunes
귀가 막다
귀를 막다
L1 Interference
귀가 막히다 (when meaning 'to ignore')
귀를 막다
L1 Interference
귀를 닫히다
귀를 닫다 / 귀를 막다
L1 Interference
귀를 막다 (to mean 'I can't hear')
안 들려요 / 귀가 먹먹해요
L1 Interference
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.
Spotted in the Real World
“귀를 막고 걸어도...”
The lyrics describe walking while blocking out the judgmental voices of the world.
“왜 그렇게 귀를 막고 계세요?”
A character confronts a stubborn investor who refuses to listen to their pitch.
“세상이 우리에게 귀를 막고 있어요.”
Describing how society ignores the plight of the marginalized.
“정부는 더 이상 민심에 귀를 막아서는 안 됩니다.”
Reporting on a large-scale public protest.
“집사가 뭐라고 하든 나는 귀를 막겠다.”
A picture of a cat with its paws over its ears.
Fácil de confundir
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.
Preguntas frecuentes (12)
Yes, but usually we say '귀마개를 하다' (to use earplugs). '귀를 막다' sounds more like using your hands.
practical tipsMostly yes, as it implies ignoring something. However, it can be neutral if you're literally blocking out noise.
usage contexts'막다' is more common and feels more active/physical. '닫다' is slightly more metaphorical and formal.
comparisonsYou can say '내 말에 귀 막지 마' (Informal) or '제 말에 귀를 막지 마세요' (Polite).
practical tipsThe words are native Korean, but the concept is related to {閉塞|폐색} (blockage).
grammar mechanicsNo, for texts we use '읽씹' (read and chew/ignore). '귀를 막다' is specifically for spoken words or advice.
usage contextsNo, it's too accusatory. Use '제 의견도 들어주셨으면 좋겠습니다' instead.
cultural usageYes, but '귀를 막다' emphasizes the *refusal* to listen more than the *pretending* part.
basic understandingYes, it's a cute way to describe a dog ignoring its owner.
usage contexts'귀를 기울이다' (to lean one's ear/listen carefully).
basic understandingYes, it's one of the most common idioms involving body parts in Korean.
basic understandingYes, it's very effective in persuasive or critical essays.
usage contexts
