A2 Proverb Neutral

우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라.

umul-eul pado han umulman para.

If you dig a well, dig only one well.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Focus on one goal at a time to achieve true success instead of spreading yourself too thin.

  • Means: Stick to one path to see results.
  • Used in: Career advice, hobby encouragement, or academic counseling.
  • Don't confuse: It doesn't mean you can't have hobbies; it's about primary focus.
⛏️ + 🕳️ x 1 = 💧 (Success!)

Explanation at your level:

This is a famous Korean saying. It means 'Focus on one thing.' If you dig a well (우물), don't dig many. Dig only one. This way, you can find water. It tells us to work hard on one goal to be successful. It is about being patient.
This proverb uses the metaphor of digging a well to teach us about focus. '우물을 파다' means to dig a well. If you dig many shallow holes, you won't find water. But if you dig one hole very deep, you will succeed. Use this when you want to tell someone to keep trying one thing instead of changing their mind often.
This proverb, '우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라,' emphasizes the importance of specialization and persistence. The grammar '-도' suggests 'even if,' and '-라' is a command used in proverbs. It suggests that spreading your energy across too many projects leads to failure. In a modern context, it's often used to encourage someone to become an expert in their field rather than a generalist.
This idiomatic expression serves as a cultural mandate for 'Grit' ({끈기|根氣}). It posits that success is not merely a function of effort, but of concentrated effort. The use of the particle '-만' (only) highlights the exclusivity required for mastery. While modern society values versatility, this proverb is still frequently invoked to warn against the 'shiny object syndrome' where one constantly seeks new beginnings without reaching a conclusion.
Linguistically, this proverb utilizes the 'plain' imperative form to convey a timeless, objective truth. It reflects a teleological view of labor—that effort must be directed toward a singular end to be meaningful. The metaphor of the well is particularly apt in the Korean peninsula's geological context, where water sources were often deep and difficult to access, requiring communal or intense individual labor. It critiques the fragmented attention span and encourages a 'monomaniacal' focus on excellence.
This maxim encapsulates the tension between 'breadth' and 'depth' in human endeavor, leaning heavily toward a specialized, vertical mastery. From a cognitive linguistics perspective, the 'well' serves as a conceptual metaphor for a career or a skill set, where 'water' represents the ultimate reward or {자아실현|自我實現} (self-actualization). The proverb functions as a socio-cultural stabilizer, promoting long-term social contributions over transient, opportunistic pursuits. It is an essential phrase for understanding the psychological underpinnings of the Korean 'master' ({명장|名匠}) culture.

Significado

Focus intensely on one task to achieve success, rather than scattering efforts.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Reflects the 'Artisan Spirit' ({장인정신|匠人精神}). In Korea, people who spend their whole lives perfecting one thing (like a specific food or craft) are highly respected as 'Masters' ({명장|名匠}). In the modern 'Gig Economy,' this proverb is sometimes debated. Some say being a 'Generalist' is better than being a 'Specialist' (the one well). Similar to the concept of 'Kodawari' (uncompromising pursuit of perfection). Both cultures value the depth of knowledge over breadth. In Korean education, students are often encouraged to find one 'major' or 'specialty' early on, reflecting this proverb's influence.

💡

Use for Encouragement

Use this when a friend is about to give up on a difficult task. It sounds supportive and wise.

⚠️

Don't be too bossy

The '-라' ending is an imperative. Use it as a quote ('~라고 하잖아요') rather than a direct command to avoid sounding rude.

Significado

Focus intensely on one task to achieve success, rather than scattering efforts.

💡

Use for Encouragement

Use this when a friend is about to give up on a difficult task. It sounds supportive and wise.

⚠️

Don't be too bossy

The '-라' ending is an imperative. Use it as a quote ('~라고 하잖아요') rather than a direct command to avoid sounding rude.

💬

The 'Artisan' Connection

Koreans love the idea of 'Mastery'. Mentioning this proverb in a business context shows you value long-term growth.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the proverb with the correct words.

우물을 파도 ___ 우물___ 파라.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: a

'한' (one) and '-만' (only) are the key components of this proverb.

Which situation best fits this proverb?

민수는 매달 새로운 취미를 시작하지만 금방 그만둡니다.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: b

Minsu changes hobbies too often, so he needs advice about focus and persistence.

Choose the most natural response.

A: 한국어 공부가 너무 힘들어요. 그냥 포기하고 영어를 배울까요? B: _________________

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: b

B encourages A to stick with Korean using the proverb.

🎉 Puntuación: /3

Ayudas visuales

Preguntas frecuentes

5 preguntas

Yes, but it's often debated. While elders still use it to encourage persistence, younger people often discuss the need to be 'multi-talented' in a fast-changing world.

Yes! If someone is dating many people at once and can't decide, a friend might jokingly say '한 우물만 파라' to tell them to pick one person.

There isn't a direct 'proverb' opposite, but the concept of 'N-job-ler' (N잡러) or 'Multi-potentialite' represents the opposite philosophy.

In old Korea, wells were the most important resource for a village. Digging one was the ultimate test of labor and commitment.

You can say '저는 이 분야에서 한 우물만 팠습니다' (I have dug only one well in this field).

Frases relacionadas

🔗

우물 안 개구리

similar

A frog in a well.

🔗

낙숫물이 바위를 뚫는다

similar

Falling drops of water pierce a rock.

🔗

시작이 반이다

contrast

Starting is half the battle.

🔗

지성이면 감천이다

builds on

Sincerity moves heaven.

Dónde usarla

💼

Career Advice

Junior: 선배님, 요즘 이 일이 저랑 안 맞는 것 같아요. 다른 일을 알아볼까요?

Senior: 아직 시작한 지 얼마 안 됐잖아요. 우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라고 했어요. 조금 더 버텨봐요.

neutral
🎸

Learning a Hobby

Friend A: 나 기타 배우다가 이제는 드럼 배우고 싶어.

Friend B: 야, 너 저번달엔 피아노 한다며? 우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라!

informal
🎤

Job Interview

Interviewer: 본인의 가장 큰 장점은 무엇입니까?

Applicant: 저는 한 우물만 파는 끈기가 있습니다. 10년 동안 한 분야에서만 일해왔습니다.

formal
👪

Parenting

Child: 엄마, 나 축구 학원 그만두고 태권도 다닐래.

Mother: 우물을 파도 한 우물만 파야지. 축구 시작한 지 한 달밖에 안 됐어.

neutral
🤝

Business Meeting

CEO: 우리 회사는 여러 사업에 진출하기보다 핵심 기술 한 우물만 파겠습니다.

Investor: 좋은 전략입니다. 선택과 집중이 필요하죠.

formal
📖

Language Learning

Student: 한국어랑 일본어를 같이 배우면 어떨까요?

Teacher: 처음에는 한 우물만 파는 게 더 효율적일 수 있어요.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'One Well, One Water'. If you dig 10 wells, you get 0 water. If you dig 1 well deep, you get 100% water.

Visual Association

Imagine a man standing in a field with 10 tiny holes, looking thirsty. Next to him, a woman stands by one very deep hole, drinking a cold glass of water.

Rhyme

우물을 파도 (U-mul-eul pa-do), 한 우물만 파라 (Han u-mul-man pa-ra).

Story

A young apprentice wanted to be a potter, a painter, and a poet all at once. His master took him to a dry field and told him to dig for water. The boy dug three shallow holes and quit. The master dug in the first hole for three days until water gushed out. 'One well,' the master said, 'is enough to quench a lifetime of thirst.'

Word Web

우물 (Well)파다 (Dig)집중 (Concentration)인내 (Patience)성공 (Success)장인 (Artisan)끈기 (Grit)목표 (Goal)

Desafío

Try to explain your current main goal in Korean using this phrase to a language partner.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

Spanish uses a physical metaphor of holding things, Korean uses digging.

French high

Qui trop embrasse, mal étreint.

Focuses on the inability to manage many things at once.

German moderate

Auf vielen Hochzeiten gleichzeitig tanzen.

It describes the behavior of being distracted rather than the goal of digging deep.

Japanese high

石の上にも三年 (Ishi no ue ni mo sannen)

Japanese focuses on time/patience, Korean focuses on the singularity of the task.

Arabic moderate

صاحب بالين كذاب (Sahib balayn kadhab)

It frames the lack of focus as a character flaw (dishonesty).

Chinese high

锲而不舍 (Qiè ér bù shě)

Chinese uses the metaphor of carving/sculpting.

English high

Jack of all trades, master of none.

English focuses on the person's identity (Jack), Korean focuses on the action (digging).

Portuguese moderate

Quem tudo quer, tudo perde.

Focuses on the loss resulting from greed.

Easily Confused

우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라. vs 우물에 가서 숭늉 찾는다

Both involve a well (우물).

This one means being too impatient (looking for scorched rice water at a well), while 'one well' is about focus.

Preguntas frecuentes (5)

Yes, but it's often debated. While elders still use it to encourage persistence, younger people often discuss the need to be 'multi-talented' in a fast-changing world.

Yes! If someone is dating many people at once and can't decide, a friend might jokingly say '한 우물만 파라' to tell them to pick one person.

There isn't a direct 'proverb' opposite, but the concept of 'N-job-ler' (N잡러) or 'Multi-potentialite' represents the opposite philosophy.

In old Korea, wells were the most important resource for a village. Digging one was the ultimate test of labor and commitment.

You can say '저는 이 분야에서 한 우물만 팠습니다' (I have dug only one well in this field).

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