Phrase in 30 Seconds
Don't trust a thief with your treasure! This proverb warns against giving someone a temptation they simply cannot resist.
- Means: Entrusting something valuable to a person who is likely to steal or misuse it.
- Used in: Situations involving money, secrets, or responsibilities given to untrustworthy people.
- Don't confuse: This isn't about accidental mistakes, but about inherent, predictable temptation.
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
Putting someone in charge of something they are likely to misuse or steal.
Contexto cultural
In traditional Korean markets, fish were often hung on strings to dry. Cats were the primary 'thieves' merchants had to guard against, leading to this proverb. Japan has a nearly identical proverb 'Neko ni katsuobushi,' reflecting the shared culinary importance of fish in both cultures. Western versions often use 'foxes' and 'wolves,' reflecting a history of livestock farming (geese, sheep) rather than fish markets. In Korea today, this is often used when talking about data privacy or giving personal info to big tech companies.
Use '격'
Adding '~ㄴ 격이다' makes you sound very natural and advanced. '고양이에게 생선 맡긴 격이네요!'
Don't offend
Calling someone a 'cat' in this context is calling them a potential thief. Be careful!
Use '격'
Adding '~ㄴ 격이다' makes you sound very natural and advanced. '고양이에게 생선 맡긴 격이네요!'
Don't offend
Calling someone a 'cat' in this context is calling them a potential thief. Be careful!
Modern Variation
Use '생선 가게' (fish shop) to emphasize that the risk is huge, not just a small thing.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the most appropriate situation for this proverb.
다음 중 '고양이에게 생선 맡기기'라는 속담을 쓰기에 가장 적절한 상황은?
Trusting a liar with a secret is a perfect example of giving a 'fish' to a 'cat.'
Fill in the blanks to complete the proverb.
( )에게 ( ) 맡기기
The standard form of the proverb uses 'cat' and 'fish'.
Complete the dialogue using the correct form of the proverb.
가: 이번 프로젝트 예산을 박 대리한테 맡기기로 했어. 나: 박 대리는 지난번에도 공금을 마음대로 썼잖아. 그건 ( ).
Since Park Daeri has a history of misusing funds, trusting him again is the 'cat and fish' situation.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejercicios다음 중 '고양이에게 생선 맡기기'라는 속담을 쓰기에 가장 적절한 상황은?
Trusting a liar with a secret is a perfect example of giving a 'fish' to a 'cat.'
( )에게 ( ) 맡기기
The standard form of the proverb uses 'cat' and 'fish'.
가: 이번 프로젝트 예산을 박 대리한테 맡기기로 했어. 나: 박 대리는 지난번에도 공금을 마음대로 썼잖아. 그건 ( ).
Since Park Daeri has a history of misusing funds, trusting him again is the 'cat and fish' situation.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
5 preguntasIt can be. It implies the person is untrustworthy. Use it to describe a third party or a situation, rather than saying it directly to someone.
No, the proverb is fixed with 'cat.' Using 'dog' would sound like a mistake.
It's the noun form of '맡기다' (to entrust). The '~기' ending turns the verb into a concept like 'the act of entrusting.'
Yes, very often! It's used to describe bad hiring decisions or risky partnerships.
It is {生鮮|생선}, meaning 'living and fresh.'
Frases relacionadas
도둑에게 열쇠를 주다
synonymGiving the key to a thief.
밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기
similarPouring water into a bottomless pot.
믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌다
builds onGetting chopped in the foot by a trusted axe.
범에게 날개를 달아주다
contrastGiving wings to a tiger.
Dónde usarla
Lending money to a gambler
A: 철수한테 돈을 좀 빌려줬어. 도박 빚을 갚는대.
B: 뭐? 철수한테 돈을 빌려주다니, 고양이에게 생선 맡기기야!
Office gossip
Manager: 이 비밀 프로젝트, 김 대리한테 맡겨도 될까요?
Director: 김 대리는 입이 가벼워요. 고양이에게 생선 맡기기일 겁니다.
Dieting struggles
Friend 1: 나 다이어트 중이니까 이 케이크 좀 보관해줘.
Friend 2: 나 빵순이인 거 알잖아. 고양이에게 생선 맡기기인데 괜찮겠어?
Political scandal
Reporter: 이번 비리 사건에 대해 어떻게 생각하십니까?
Citizen: 부패한 사람에게 감사를 맡긴 것 자체가 고양이에게 생선 맡기기였습니다.
Babysitting a mischievous kid
Mom: 형한테 동생 좀 보고 있으라고 했어.
Dad: 둘이 맨날 싸우는데? 고양이에게 생선 맡기기 아냐?
Sharing a password
User: 비밀번호를 그냥 메모장에 적어놨어.
IT Guy: 그건 해커한테 고양이에게 생선 맡기기 하는 거랑 똑같아요.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of a **Cat** (Goyangi) and a **Fish** (Saengseon). The cat says 'Thanks for the snack!' as soon as you turn your back.
Asociación visual
Imagine a cat wearing a security guard uniform, sitting in front of a giant, delicious grilled fish. The cat is sweating and licking its lips while looking at the fish.
Rhyme
고양이는 생선, 맡기면 망선 (Cats love fish, entrust them and it's a 'ruined' fish - 'mang-seon' is a play on words).
Story
Once, a fishmonger had to go to the bathroom. He saw a cat sitting nearby and asked, 'Hey, watch my fish for a minute.' When he came back, the cat was gone, and so was the most expensive fish. He realized he didn't just lose a fish; he made a foolish choice.
In Other Languages
In English, we say 'Setting the fox to keep the geese.' In Japanese, it's 'Neko ni katsuobushi' (Dried bonito to a cat). They all use animals to show natural temptation.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to find one situation in a news article today where someone trusted the wrong person, and write '고양이에게 생선 맡기기예요' in the comments (mentally or actually!).
Review this on Day 1, 3, and 7. Focus on the verb '맡기다' as it is very useful in other contexts too.
Pronunciación
Standard pronunciation. The 'e' in 'ege' is short.
Note the open 'ae' sound in the first syllable.
The 't' in 'mat' is unreleased, and the 'k' in 'gi' becomes tensed (k͈) due to the preceding 't'.
Espectro de formalidad
그분에게 자금을 맡긴 것은 고양이에게 생선을 맡긴 격이었습니다. (Financial loss)
그 사람한테 돈을 맡긴 건 고양이에게 생선 맡기기였어요. (Financial loss)
걔한테 돈 맡긴 건 고양이에게 생선 맡기기였지. (Financial loss)
걔한테 돈 준 건 그냥 고양이한테 생선 던져준 꼴이야. (Financial loss)
The phrase dates back to the Joseon Dynasty, appearing in various collections of proverbs. It stems from the simple observation that a cat's biological drive for fish is stronger than any training or 'trust' a human might place in it.
Dato curioso
Despite this proverb, cats are now one of the most popular pets in Korea, often called 'Ga-nyang-ee' (Dog-like cat) if they are loyal!
Notas culturales
In traditional Korean markets, fish were often hung on strings to dry. Cats were the primary 'thieves' merchants had to guard against, leading to this proverb.
“시장 상인들은 고양이를 쫓아내느라 바빴어요.”
Japan has a nearly identical proverb 'Neko ni katsuobushi,' reflecting the shared culinary importance of fish in both cultures.
“일본에서도 비슷한 속담이 있어요.”
Western versions often use 'foxes' and 'wolves,' reflecting a history of livestock farming (geese, sheep) rather than fish markets.
“서양에서는 여우나 늑대를 주인공으로 써요.”
In Korea today, this is often used when talking about data privacy or giving personal info to big tech companies.
“개인 정보를 대기업에 다 주는 건 고양이에게 생선 맡기기예요.”
Inicios de conversación
친구에게 비밀을 말했는데 그 친구가 다른 사람에게 다 말해버렸어요. 이럴 때 뭐라고 할까요?
도박을 좋아하는 사람에게 돈 관리를 맡기는 것에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?
Errores comunes
개에게 생선 맡기기
고양이에게 생선 맡기기
L1 Interference
고양이에게 생선을 주다
고양이에게 생선을 맡기다
L1 Interference
고양이에게 생선 맡기기예요 (used for an accident)
실수였어요
L1 Interference
고양이의 생선 맡기기
고양이에게 생선 맡기기
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Setting the fox to keep the geese
English uses a fox/geese, Korean uses a cat/fish.
Poner al lobo a cuidar las ovejas
Uses a wolf and sheep, common in pastoral cultures.
Donner la bergerie à garder au loup
Focuses on the 'sheepfold' rather than just the animal.
Den Bock zum Gärtner machen
The goat doesn't 'steal' in the same way a cat or wolf does; it just eats the garden.
猫に鰹節 (Neko ni katsuobushi)
Specifies 'dried bonito' rather than general 'fish'.
حاميها حراميها (Hamiha haramiha)
Lacks the animal imagery but captures the exact same irony.
狐狸守鸡舍 (Húlí shǒu jīshè)
Uses a chicken coop as the setting.
Raposa no galinheiro
Often implies the fox is already inside, rather than being 'entrusted' with the job.
Spotted in the Real World
“그 사람한테 이 일을 맡기는 건 고양이에게 생선 맡기는 꼴 아닙니까?”
Discussing whether to trust a corrupt employee with a new project.
“비리 혐의자에게 감사를 맡기다니... 고양이에게 생선 맡기기 논란”
A news report about a controversial political appointment.
Fácil de confundir
Both involve cats and are proverbs.
This one means 'an impossible task' (who will bell the cat?), while our phrase is about 'misplaced trust.'
Preguntas frecuentes (5)
It can be. It implies the person is untrustworthy. Use it to describe a third party or a situation, rather than saying it directly to someone.
practical tipsNo, the proverb is fixed with 'cat.' Using 'dog' would sound like a mistake.
usage contextsIt's the noun form of '맡기다' (to entrust). The '~기' ending turns the verb into a concept like 'the act of entrusting.'
grammar mechanicsYes, very often! It's used to describe bad hiring decisions or risky partnerships.
usage contextsIt is {生鮮|생선}, meaning 'living and fresh.'
basic understanding
