A1 Proverb Neutral 1 min de lectura

궁하면 통한다.

gunghamyeon tonghanda.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Practícalo

Phrase in 30 Seconds

This proverb means that even in the most desperate situation, you will eventually find a solution.

  • Means: Desperation leads to innovation or a breakthrough.
  • Used in: Encouraging friends, discussing business pivots, or overcoming personal obstacles.
  • Don't confuse: It is not about 'luck'; it is about the necessity forcing action.
Dead end (궁) + Creative thinking (통) = Solution (통한다)

Explicación a tu nivel:

This phrase means that when you have a big problem, you will find a way to fix it. It is a positive saying for hard times.
When you are in a difficult situation, you shouldn't give up. This proverb tells us that if we keep trying, a solution will appear. It is used to encourage others.
This is a common proverb used to express that necessity drives innovation. It suggests that when people are pushed to their limits, they naturally discover creative solutions to overcome their obstacles.
Derived from the I Ching, this proverb encapsulates the philosophical belief that extreme states of difficulty inevitably lead to change. It serves as a psychological anchor for those facing stagnation, reminding them that movement and resolution are inherent in the cycle of life.
This proverb functions as a linguistic manifestation of the 'necessity is the mother of invention' trope. It highlights the dialectical relationship between crisis and resolution, suggesting that the state of '궁' (deficiency/stagnation) is the necessary catalyst for '통' (flow/breakthrough).
Rooted in classical East Asian cosmology, this phrase reflects a teleological view of adversity. It posits that the exhaustion of options is not an end, but a transition point. By framing '궁' as a dynamic state rather than a static failure, it encourages cognitive reframing in the face of systemic obstacles.

Significado

When faced with difficulty, one finds a way to overcome it.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Reflects the 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture's desire for quick solutions. Rooted in I Ching, emphasizing that change is the only constant.

💡

Use it to comfort

It's a great way to show support without being pushy.

💡

Use it to comfort

It's a great way to show support without being pushy.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the proverb.

궁하면 ________.

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

The proverb is '궁하면 통한다'.

🎉 Puntuación: /1

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

2 ejercicios
Elige la respuesta correcta Fill Blank

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
Complete the proverb. Fill Blank A1

궁하면 ________.

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

The proverb is '궁하면 통한다'.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Preguntas frecuentes

1 preguntas

It is neutral and can be used in most situations.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

하늘이 무너져도 솟아날 구멍이 있다

similar

There is always a way out.

Dónde usarla

🤝

Encouraging a friend

A: 시험을 망친 것 같아.

B: 괜찮아, 궁하면 통한다고 다 방법이 있을 거야.

informal
💼

Work crisis

Manager: 예산이 부족해서 프로젝트가 중단될 위기입니다.

Team Lead: 궁하면 통한다고, 다른 지원 방법을 찾아봅시다.

neutral

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Gung' (a palace) that is blocked, but you find a 'Tong' (a tunnel) to get through.

Asociación visual

A person stuck in a dark maze who suddenly sees a glowing exit sign appear as they keep walking.

Rhyme

궁하면 통한다, 길을 찾아간다.

Story

Min-su lost his job. He was sad. Then he remembered '궁하면 통한다'. He started a small business. Now he is happy.

In Other Languages

Similar to 'Necessity is the mother of invention' in English. Also matches 'Where there's a will, there's a way'.

Word Web

궁하다 (needy)통하다 (to pass through)방법 (method)위기 (crisis)해결 (solution)희망 (hope)

Desafío

Write down one problem you have and one potential 'way' to solve it using this phrase.

Review in 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month.

Pronunciación

Stress Evenly stressed.

Gung-ha-myeon

Espectro de formalidad

Formal
궁하면 통한다고 하니, 너무 걱정하지 마십시오.

궁하면 통한다고 하니, 너무 걱정하지 마십시오. (Reassurance)

Neutral
궁하면 통한다고 하니, 너무 걱정하지 마세요.

궁하면 통한다고 하니, 너무 걱정하지 마세요. (Reassurance)

Informal
궁하면 통한다잖아, 걱정 마.

궁하면 통한다잖아, 걱정 마. (Reassurance)

Jerga
궁하면 통함! 걱정 노노.

궁하면 통함! 걱정 노노. (Reassurance)

Derived from the I Ching (Book of Changes), a foundational text in East Asian philosophy.

Ancient:

Dato curioso

It is one of the most commonly cited proverbs in Korean business books.

Notas culturales

Reflects the 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture's desire for quick solutions.

“궁하면 통한다고, 바로 방법을 찾자!”

Rooted in I Ching, emphasizing that change is the only constant.

“궁하면 통한다는 이치를 깨달아야 한다.”

Inicios de conversación

“

요즘 힘든 일이 있나요?

Errores comunes

✗

궁하면 길을 찾는다

✓

궁하면 통한다

wrong conjugation
While the meaning is similar, the set phrase is '통한다'.

L1 Interference

0

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

El que busca, encuentra.

Korean focuses on the situation, Spanish on the actor.

French Very Similar

Nécessité fait loi.

French is more about rules; Korean is about finding a path.

German Very Similar

Not macht erfinderisch.

German is more specific to 'invention' (creativity).

Japanese Very Similar

窮すれば通ず (Kyū sureba tsūzu).

None; they are culturally and linguistically identical.

Arabic Very Similar

الحاجة أم الاختراع (Al-hajah umm al-ikhtira').

Arabic uses a familial metaphor (mother).

Spotted in the Real World

🎬

(2014)

“궁하면 통한다!”

Before a naval battle.

Fácil de confundir

궁하면 통한다. vs 궁하면 변한다

People mix the 'change' part with the 'pass through' part.

Remember '통' (pass) is the goal.

Preguntas frecuentes (1)

It is neutral and can be used in most situations.

usage contexts

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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