A2 Idiom خنثی

입에 침이 마르다.

Ibe chimi mareuda.

One's mouth dries up (from talking).

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this when you want to say someone is praising something or someone non-stop.

  • Means: To talk so much that your mouth literally feels dry.
  • Used in: Complimenting a friend's new car or a great movie.
  • Don't confuse: With '입이 마르다' (to be thirsty/nervous).
🗣️ + 🗣️ + 🗣️ = 🏜️ (Dry Mouth)

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means you talk a lot about something good. '입' is mouth, '침' is spit, and '마르다' is to dry. So, your mouth gets dry because you are saying 'Good job!' many times. Use it when you really like a friend or a movie.
This is a common idiom used when praising someone. It literally means 'the saliva in one's mouth dries up.' We use the grammar '-도록' (until) to say 'I praised them until my mouth was dry.' It shows you are very impressed by someone.
This idiom describes the act of speaking enthusiastically and repeatedly about a person or object. It is most frequently paired with verbs like '칭찬하다' (to praise) or '자랑하다' (to brag). It implies a level of sincerity and high energy in the speaker's delivery, suggesting they haven't stopped talking long enough to even swallow.
As a figurative expression, '입에 침이 마르다' functions as a hyperbolic intensifier. It highlights the repetitive nature of the discourse. While it primarily denotes excessive praise, it can also be applied to situations where a speaker is tirelessly emphasizing a specific point or instruction, indicating that the message is of utmost importance to them.
Linguistically, this idiom exemplifies the somatic metaphorical mapping prevalent in Korean, where physiological states (xerostomia/dry mouth) represent communicative intensity. It is often employed in narrative prose to depict a character's unwavering support or admiration for another, serving as a rhetorical device that conveys both the duration and the emotional weight of the speech act.
This idiomatic expression resides at the intersection of physiological hyperbole and social pragmatics. By invoking the image of desiccated salivary glands, the speaker signals a departure from perfunctory social graces toward a more profound, exhaustive form of commendation. Mastery involves distinguishing this from '입에 침도 안 바르고 거짓말하다,' where the lack of saliva signifies a lack of moral hesitation in deception, whereas in our target phrase, the dryness is a byproduct of earnest, voluminous output.

معنی

To talk excessively or praise someone so much that one's mouth becomes dry.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In Korea, it is common for parents to brag about their children to neighbors. While it might seem like 'showing off,' using this idiom acknowledges the parent's deep affection. Fans often use this idiom on social media (Twitter/X) to describe how much they are praising their favorite idols' new releases. In a business context, if a senior praises a junior using this idiom, it is considered a very high honor and a sign of strong mentorship.

💡

Use with -도록

90% of the time, you will see this as '입에 침이 마르도록'. Memorize it as a single block.

⚠️

Not for Thirst

If you need water, say '목말라요'. If you say '입에 침이 말라요', people will wait for you to start praising someone!

معنی

To talk excessively or praise someone so much that one's mouth becomes dry.

💡

Use with -도록

90% of the time, you will see this as '입에 침이 마르도록'. Memorize it as a single block.

⚠️

Not for Thirst

If you need water, say '목말라요'. If you say '입에 침이 말라요', people will wait for you to start praising someone!

🎯

Sarcastic Use

Advanced speakers can use this sarcastically to describe someone who is being a 'kiss-up' or flatterer.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.

어머니는 아들 자랑을 입에 ___ 마르도록 하셨다.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 침이

The idiom is '입에 침이 마르다.'

Which situation best fits the idiom '입에 침이 마르다'?

다음 중 이 표현을 쓰기에 가장 적절한 상황은?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 친구가 새로 산 옷이 예쁘다고 계속 칭찬할 때

The idiom is used for repetitive praise.

Complete the dialogue.

가: 민수 씨가 그 식당 정말 맛있대요. 나: 맞아요. 민수 씨가 입에 침이 ___ 추천하더라고요.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 마르도록

'-도록' is the most natural grammar point to use with this idiom to show the extent of the action.

🎉 امتیاز: /3

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

سوالات متداول

4 سوال

It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a polite office setting.

Usually no. It's for praise or important emphasis. For nagging, use '귀에 딱지가 앉다'.

칭찬하다 (to praise) is by far the most common.

No, it's a figurative expression for talking a lot.

عبارات مرتبط

🔄

칭찬을 아끼지 않다

synonym

To not spare any praise.

🔗

귀에 딱지가 앉다

contrast

To hear something so much that a scab forms on the ear.

🔗

입이 닳도록 말하다

similar

To talk until one's lips wear out.

کجا استفاده کنیم

🎬

Recommending a Movie

지수: 그 영화 진짜 재미있어! 꼭 봐!

민호: 벌써 세 번째 말하네. 입에 침이 마르도록 추천하는구나!

informal
👶

A Proud Parent

이웃: 아드님이 이번에 장학금을 받았다면서요?

엄마: 네, 그래서 제가 동네 사람들에게 입에 침이 마르도록 자랑했어요.

neutral
💼

Job Interview Feedback

인사과장: 김 대리님이 지원자님을 입에 침이 마르도록 칭찬하시더군요.

지원자: 정말 감사합니다. 더 열심히 하겠습니다.

formal
🍕

Food Delivery App Review

리뷰어: 여기 치킨 진짜 맛있어요! 입에 침이 마르도록 칭찬해도 모자라요.

사장님: 정성스러운 리뷰 감사합니다!

informal
💖

Dating Context

친구: 네 남자친구 진짜 다정하다며?

나: 응, 내가 친구들한테 입에 침이 마르도록 얘기했지.

informal
👨‍🏫

Teacher's Advice

학생: 선생님, 단어 공부 어떻게 해요?

선생님: 내가 입에 침이 마르도록 말했잖아! 매일 10개씩 외우라고!

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a desert in your mouth because you've been talking about your favorite K-drama for 5 hours straight.

Visual Association

A person standing on a stage with a tiny cactus growing on their tongue because they've been praising someone for so long without a water break.

Rhyme

칭찬을 많이 하면 (If you praise a lot), 입에 침이 말라요 (Your mouth goes dry).

Story

Once there was a fan named Minji. She loved BTS so much that every time she met a new person, she talked about them for three hours. One day, she tried to say 'I love them' but only a puff of dust came out of her mouth. Her mouth had dried up from all the praise!

Word Web

칭찬 (Praise)자랑 (Boast)강조 (Emphasis)추천 (Recommendation)말하다 (Speak)마르다 (Dry)침 (Saliva)입 (Mouth)

چالش

Try to describe your favorite food to a friend for 2 minutes without stopping. Then say: '제가 입에 침이 마르도록 설명했어요!'

In Other Languages

English moderate

To sing someone's praises / To talk someone's ear off

The Korean version focuses on the speaker's physical state (dry mouth).

Spanish partial

Desvivirse en elogios

Spanish focuses on the intensity of the emotion, Korean on the repetition.

French high

Tarir d'éloges

Korean says the *mouth* dries, French says the *praise* doesn't dry up.

German moderate

In den höchsten Tönen loben

German uses a musical metaphor (tones), Korean uses a biological one (saliva).

Japanese partial

口を酸っぱくして言う

Korean is usually positive (praise); Japanese is usually corrective (advice).

Arabic low

يملأ الدنيا بمدحه

Arabic is more poetic and expansive; Korean is more grounded in physical sensation.

Chinese high

赞不绝口

Chinese focuses on the continuity; Korean focuses on the physical result of that continuity.

Portuguese partial

Rasgar elogios

Portuguese uses a violent/energetic verb (tear), Korean uses a passive result (dry).

Easily Confused

입에 침이 마르다. در مقابل 입에 침도 안 바르고

Both involve 'mouth' and 'saliva'.

If it's about praise, it's 'drying up'. If it's about lying, it's 'not putting saliva on'.

سوالات متداول (4)

It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a polite office setting.

Usually no. It's for praise or important emphasis. For nagging, use '귀에 딱지가 앉다'.

칭찬하다 (to praise) is by far the most common.

No, it's a figurative expression for talking a lot.

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