B1 Proverb خنثی

고생은 사서도 한다.

gosaengeun saseodo handa.

One even buys hardship.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

This proverb highlights the value of seeking out challenging experiences to gain wisdom and personal growth.

  • Means: Voluntarily choosing difficult tasks to learn and grow.
  • Used in: Encouraging someone to take on challenges or reflecting on hard work.
  • Don't confuse: It is not about being a masochist; it is about intentional growth.
Hard work + Intentional choice = Valuable life experience

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means you choose to do hard work to learn new things. It is good to work hard when you are young.
When people say this, they mean that doing difficult things on purpose helps you grow. It is a way to encourage someone who is working very hard.
This proverb suggests that seeking out challenges is a form of investment in oneself. By intentionally choosing difficult tasks, one gains valuable experience that leads to future success and personal maturity.
The phrase '고생은 사서도 한다' serves as a cultural aphorism advocating for the proactive pursuit of adversity. It posits that voluntary engagement with difficult tasks is a critical component of character development and long-term professional or personal achievement.
This proverb functions as a philosophical endorsement of 'productive struggle.' It reframes the concept of 'suffering' from a negative, passive state into a deliberate, strategic acquisition of experience. It is frequently employed in pedagogical or professional contexts to validate the necessity of rigorous effort in the pursuit of mastery.
Rooted in the socio-cultural ethos of resilience, this proverb articulates the cognitive shift required to view adversity as a developmental asset. It encapsulates the pedagogical belief that the intentional selection of challenging environments—often termed 'buying suffering'—is a prerequisite for the cultivation of expertise and psychological fortitude. It is a quintessential expression of the value placed on grit within the Korean cultural framework.

معنی

Some people intentionally seek out difficult experiences for growth or benefit.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

Deeply rooted in the Confucian work ethic and the rapid development era. Similar sentiments exist in China and Japan regarding the value of hardship. Focuses more on 'grit' and 'no pain, no gain' as individualistic achievements. Often used by teachers to encourage students to take difficult subjects.

💡

Context is key

Always check the tone. If you say it with a smile, it's praise. If you say it with a sigh, it's a complaint.

🎯

Cultural nuance

Koreans value hard work. Using this phrase shows you understand that value.

معنی

Some people intentionally seek out difficult experiences for growth or benefit.

💡

Context is key

Always check the tone. If you say it with a smile, it's praise. If you say it with a sigh, it's a complaint.

🎯

Cultural nuance

Koreans value hard work. Using this phrase shows you understand that value.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the missing word.

고생은 ____도 한다.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 사서

The proverb is '고생은 사서도 한다'.

When is it appropriate to use this phrase?

Which situation is best for this proverb?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: When someone voluntarily takes on a hard project to learn.

The phrase is for voluntary challenges, not involuntary suffering.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 이 일이 너무 힘들 것 같아. B: ____. 나중에 큰 도움이 될 거야.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 고생은 사서도 한다잖아

This fits the context of encouraging someone through hard work.

🎉 امتیاز: /3

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

سوالات متداول

2 سوال

Mostly, but it depends on the tone. It can be used to tease someone who is doing something unnecessarily difficult.

It's better to use it in speech or informal writing. In formal writing, use more professional language.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

사서 고생

specialized form

Buying suffering.

🔗

젊어서 고생은 사서도 한다

specialized form

One should buy suffering in youth.

🔗

고진감래

similar

Sweetness comes after bitterness.

🔗

천 리 길도 한 걸음부터

builds on

A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.

کجا استفاده کنیم

💪

Encouraging a friend

A: 이번 프로젝트 너무 힘들 것 같아.

B: 그래도 고생은 사서도 한다잖아. 잘할 수 있어!

informal
💼

Reflecting on work

Colleague: 왜 이렇게 어려운 일을 자원했어요?

You: 고생은 사서도 한다고 하니까요. 배우는 게 많을 것 같아요.

neutral
🎓

Giving advice

Mentor: 젊을 때 고생은 사서도 한다는 말이 있습니다. 지금 도전하세요.

Mentee: 네, 명심하겠습니다.

formal
🧘

Self-talk

You: 오늘도 야근이네. 고생은 사서도 한다... 그래, 다 내 성장을 위한 거야.

informal
🧗

Discussing hobbies

A: 주말에 왜 그렇게 힘든 등산을 가?

B: 고생은 사서도 한다잖아. 정상에서 보는 풍경이 좋거든.

informal
👔

Job interview

Interviewer: 우리 회사는 업무 강도가 높습니다.

Candidate: 고생은 사서도 한다는 마음가짐으로 성장하고 싶습니다.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine buying a bag of 'hard work' at a store because you know it's full of gold coins (wisdom).

Visual Association

A person walking past a comfortable, flat path to climb a steep, rocky mountain on purpose.

Rhyme

고생은 사서도 한다, 미래를 위해 참는다.

Story

Min-su wanted to learn coding. Instead of taking an easy class, he joined a difficult bootcamp. His friends asked why. He smiled and said, '고생은 사서도 한다잖아.' Now, he is a top developer.

Word Web

고생사다경험성장도전미래

چالش

Identify one difficult task you've been avoiding and commit to doing it for 5 minutes today.

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

El que algo quiere, algo le cuesta.

Korean emphasizes the 'choice' of hardship.

French moderate

On n'a rien sans rien.

Korean is more about the 'value' of the struggle.

German moderate

Ohne Fleiß kein Preis.

German is more transactional.

Japanese high

可愛い子には旅をさせよ

Japanese focuses on parenting/mentoring.

Arabic moderate

من طلب العلا سهر الليالي

Arabic is more specific about the type of sacrifice.

Chinese high

吃得苦中苦,方为人上人

Chinese is more focused on social status.

Korean self

고생은 사서도 한다

N/A

Portuguese moderate

Quem quer, corre atrás.

Portuguese is about the chase.

Easily Confused

고생은 사서도 한다. در مقابل 사서 고생한다

Learners often think this is negative.

It can be negative if used to mock, but positive if used to praise.

سوالات متداول (2)

Mostly, but it depends on the tone. It can be used to tease someone who is doing something unnecessarily difficult.

It's better to use it in speech or informal writing. In formal writing, use more professional language.

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