Significado
To forgive or ignore someone's wrongdoing or error, often intentionally.
Contexto cultural
In Korean workplaces, '눈 감아 주다' is often a sign of a 'humanistic' boss. A boss who never overlooks anything is often criticized as being too 'cold' or 'dry' (딱딱하다). The emphasis on hierarchy means that a superior has the 'right' to 눈 감아 주다 for a subordinate, but a subordinate can rarely do the same for a superior without it feeling like a cover-up. Recently, there has been a strong social movement against '눈 감아 주기' in cases of school bullying or corporate embezzlement, as people demand more transparency. A common trope is the 'contract' where one character agrees to '눈 감아 주다' a secret in exchange for a date or a favor, driving the plot forward.
The 'Favor' Particle
Always remember to use the '-아/어 주다' form. Just saying '눈 감다' doesn't convey the meaning of letting someone off the hook.
Don't use for serious crimes
If you use this for a serious crime, you might sound like you are part of the crime or don't care about justice.
Significado
To forgive or ignore someone's wrongdoing or error, often intentionally.
The 'Favor' Particle
Always remember to use the '-아/어 주다' form. Just saying '눈 감다' doesn't convey the meaning of letting someone off the hook.
Don't use for serious crimes
If you use this for a serious crime, you might sound like you are part of the crime or don't care about justice.
Combine with '이번만'
To sound very natural, add '이번만' (only this time) before the phrase: '이번만 눈 감아 줄게.'
Nunchi and Eyes
Since Korean culture relies heavily on 'Nunchi' (eye-measure), many idioms about social behavior involve the eyes. Pay attention to other '눈' idioms!
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence using the correct form of '눈 감아 주다'.
선생님, 이번 한 번만 제 실수를 (____ ____ ____).
The speaker is asking for a favor (overlooking a mistake), so the '-아/어 주세요' form is correct.
Which situation best fits the phrase '눈 감아 주다'?
Which of these is a '눈 감아 주다' moment?
Ignoring a small typo is a classic example of overlooking a minor mistake.
Choose the most natural response.
A: 미안해, 약속 시간을 깜빡했어. B: (____________________)
B is forgiving A for forgetting the appointment time.
Select the sentence where the phrase is used NEGATIVELY (implying corruption).
Which sentence sounds like a news report about a crime?
This sentence involves a government official, a bribe, and an illegal act, showing the negative side of the idiom.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Forgiveness Levels
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejercicios선생님, 이번 한 번만 제 실수를 (____ ____ ____).
The speaker is asking for a favor (overlooking a mistake), so the '-아/어 주세요' form is correct.
Which of these is a '눈 감아 주다' moment?
Ignoring a small typo is a classic example of overlooking a minor mistake.
A: 미안해, 약속 시간을 깜빡했어. B: (____________________)
B is forgiving A for forgetting the appointment time.
Which sentence sounds like a news report about a crime?
This sentence involves a government official, a bribe, and an illegal act, showing the negative side of the idiom.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt is neutral. To make it polite, use '눈 감아 주세요' or '눈 감아 주십시오'.
Usually, you ask others to do it for you ('눈 감아 주세요') or you do it for others. You don't 'close your own eyes' for your own mistake.
'봐주다' is more common and casual. '눈 감아 주다' is slightly more idiomatic and can be used in more serious (negative) contexts too.
Yes, '눈을 감다' (without 주다) is a common euphemism for dying, similar to 'closing one's eyes forever.'
Yes, if a boss is being lenient with a subordinate, it's very common.
Usually, yes. You are overlooking a person's action.
No, you don't 'overlook' a broken chair with this phrase. It's for human errors.
You can say '눈 감아 줄 수 없어요' or '못 봐줘요'.
Yes, the idiom is understood and used in both North and South Korea.
Yes, children often use it when they've done something wrong: '엄마, 한 번만 눈 감아 줘!'
Frases relacionadas
봐주다
synonymTo let someone off the hook.
묵인하다
specialized formTo tacitly approve or connive.
모른 척하다
similarTo pretend not to know.
용서하다
similarTo forgive.
엄격하다
contrastTo be strict.
