B1 Expression رسمی

두말하면 잔소리죠.

dumalhamyeon jansorijyo.

No need to say twice.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A punchy way to say 'obviously' by suggesting that repeating the truth would just be annoying nagging.

  • Means: It is so obvious that saying it again is unnecessary.
  • Used in: Responding to questions with evident 'yes' answers.
  • Don't confuse: With actual nagging (jansori) in a negative context.
Question + Obvious Truth = 🤐 (No need to speak) + ✨ (Perfect Agreement)

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'Of course!' Use it when you want to say 'Yes' very strongly. It comes from the words for 'two words' and 'nagging.' If you say something twice, it is boring nagging. So, this phrase means the answer is so clear you don't need to say it again.
You use this expression to agree with someone enthusiastically. When someone asks a question with an obvious 'yes' answer, you say '두말하면 잔소리죠.' It literally means 'If I say it twice, it's nagging.' It's a friendly way to show you are 100% sure about something.
This intermediate expression functions as a rhetorical device to emphasize certainty. By categorizing further talk as 'jansori' (nagging), the speaker signals that the current fact is an absolute truth. It is particularly useful for adding natural 'flavor' to your Korean and showing that you understand the nuance of social agreement beyond simple 'yes' or 'no' answers.
At this level, you should recognize '두말하면 잔소리죠' as a pragmatic marker of high commitment to a proposition. It functions similarly to the English 'It goes without saying.' The use of 'jansori' adds a layer of colloquial wit, suggesting that the listener should already know the answer, thereby reinforcing a shared social bond or 'nunchi' between the interlocutors.
This idiom exemplifies the Korean linguistic tendency toward indirectness and the use of negative concepts (nagging) to reinforce positive assertions. Linguistically, it operates on a conditional logic where the protasis (saying it twice) leads to an undesirable apodosis (nagging), thereby validating the initial unstated premise as an undeniable axiom. It is a sophisticated tool for managing conversational flow and rapport.
Within the framework of cognitive linguistics, '두말하면 잔소리죠' serves as a metalinguistic commentary on the redundancy of speech. It leverages the cultural schema of 'jansori' to establish a boundary for informative contribution, asserting that the truth value of the statement has reached a maximum threshold where further verbalization would result in communicative 'noise' rather than 'signal.' Mastery involves using it to navigate complex social hierarchies with playful yet firm conviction.

معنی

It means it's so obvious it doesn't need to be stated again.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

The concept of 'Jansori' (nagging) is a major theme in Korean family dynamics, often seen as a sign of affection or concern, even if it's annoying. Using it in this idiom flips the annoyance into a positive affirmation. In KakaoTalk or YouTube comments, you'll often see this phrase shortened or accompanied by emojis like '💯' or '👍' to show absolute agreement with a post. Witty characters often use this phrase to show they are 'quick on the uptake' (nunchi-ga ppareuda). It's a sign of a confident, socially savvy person. While Korea is hierarchical, the 'consultative' register of this phrase allows it to be used by a subordinate to show strong support for a superior's idea, provided the tone is respectful.

💡

Tone Matters

Say it with a bright, confident tone. If you say it too flatly, it might lose its 'enthusiastic agreement' nuance.

⚠️

Not for 'No'

Remember, this is only for 'Yes' situations. Don't use it if you want to say 'Obviously not!'

معنی

It means it's so obvious it doesn't need to be stated again.

💡

Tone Matters

Say it with a bright, confident tone. If you say it too flatly, it might lose its 'enthusiastic agreement' nuance.

⚠️

Not for 'No'

Remember, this is only for 'Yes' situations. Don't use it if you want to say 'Obviously not!'

🎯

The 'Ji' Ending

Use '두말하면 잔소리지' with friends to sound like a native K-drama character. It adds a cool, 'of course' vibe.

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the dialogue using the correct form of the phrase.

가: 이번 주말에 같이 등산 갈래? 나: ________! 나 등산 정말 좋아하잖아.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 두말하면 잔소리죠

The speaker is enthusiastically agreeing to go hiking. '두말하면 잔소리죠' is the standard polite form.

Which situation is MOST appropriate for using '두말하면 잔소리죠'?

Choose the best context:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: A friend asking if you want a free ticket to your favorite band's concert.

This is a classic 'obvious yes' situation where enthusiastic agreement is natural.

Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the idiom.

그 가수의 가창력은 두말하면 ______입니다.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 잔소리

The idiom is '두말하면 잔소리'. '헛소리' means nonsense, '목소리' means voice, and '큰소리' means loud talk/boasting.

Select the most natural informal (banmal) version of the phrase.

A: 너도 파티 올 거지? B: ________

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 두말하면 잔소리지

'-지' is the standard informal ending for this idiom when speaking to friends.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Usually, yes, it means nagging. But in this specific idiom, it's used rhetorically and is not negative at all.

Yes, if you use the '-입니다' or '-죠' ending and the atmosphere is friendly. It shows you strongly support their point.

'당연하죠' is more direct and standard. '두말하면 잔소리죠' is more idiomatic, colorful, and emphasizes that the question was almost unnecessary.

It's great for casual writing, blogs, or texts. In very formal academic papers, use '말할 필요도 없이' instead.

In texting, people sometimes just write '두말하면 잔소리' without the ending verb.

Not at all! It's a classic idiom that people of all ages use daily.

No, the idiom is fixed with '두말' (two words/saying it twice).

It refers to repeating the same thing a second time. The first time is information; the second time is nagging.

Telling someone '잔소리 그만해' (Stop nagging) can be rude. But '두말하면 잔소리죠' is a self-referential idiom and is perfectly polite.

Use '말도 안 돼요' (That doesn't even make sense) or '그럴 리가요' (No way).

عبارات مرتبط

🔄

두말하면 입 아프다

synonym

If I say it twice, my mouth hurts.

🔗

말해 뭐해

similar

What's the point of saying it?

🔗

당연지사

specialized form

A matter of course.

🔄

말할 것도 없다

synonym

There is nothing even to say.

کجا استفاده کنیم

🥩

At a Korean BBQ restaurant

Friend: 고기 더 시킬까?

You: 두말하면 잔소리지! 빨리 시키자.

informal
📺

Discussing a K-drama

Colleague: 어제 그 드라마 보셨어요? 진짜 재미있죠?

You: 두말하면 잔소리죠. 마지막 장면이 대박이었어요.

neutral
💼

Workplace success

Manager: 이번 계약이 우리 회사에 중요하겠죠?

You: 두말하면 잔소리입니다. 최선을 다하겠습니다.

formal
✈️

Travel planning

Sibling: 이번 여름에 바다 갈 거지?

You: 두말하면 잔소리지. 벌써 수영복 샀어.

informal
❤️

Dating/Relationships

Partner: 나 많이 사랑해?

You: 두말하면 잔소리지! 세상에서 제일 사랑해.

informal
🛍️

Shopping for a deal

Clerk: 이 옷 지금 세일 중인데 정말 싸죠?

You: 두말하면 잔소리죠. 바로 살게요.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think: 'Two-Talk-Nag'. If I talk two times, I'm nagging. So I'll only say it once: OF COURSE!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant number '2' turning into a mouth that is being zipped shut, while a bright 'YES' neon sign flashes in the background.

Rhyme

두말하면 잔소리, 안 하면 섭섭하지! (If I say it twice it's nagging, if I don't say it at all you'll be sad!)

Story

You are at a restaurant. The food is amazing. Your friend asks, 'Is it good?' You start to say 'Yes' twice, but then you remember your mom nagging you. You stop and say, 'If I say it twice, it's nagging!'—implying it's so good you shouldn't even have to ask.

Word Web

당연하다 (To be natural/obvious)물론 (Of course)잔소리 (Nagging)입 아프다 (Mouth hurts)말해 뭐해 (Why even say it)확실하다 (To be certain)명백하다 (To be obvious)

چالش

Today, whenever someone asks you a question with a 'Yes' answer, respond with '두말하면 잔소리죠' instead of just '네'.

In Other Languages

English high

It goes without saying / You bet!

The Korean version specifically uses the concept of 'nagging' as the reason for not speaking.

Spanish high

Ni que decirlo / ¡Desde luego!

Spanish doesn't typically link this to the concept of 'nagging' or 'annoying repetition'.

French moderate

Cela va sans dire

The French version is much more formal and lacks the colloquial 'punch' of the Korean 'jansori'.

German moderate

Das versteht sich von selbst

German focuses on logic/understanding, while Korean focuses on the social annoyance of repetition.

Japanese high

言うまでもない (Iu made mo nai)

Japanese is slightly more literal, whereas Korean uses the 'nagging' metaphor.

Arabic moderate

لا يحتاج لقول (La yahtaj liqawl)

Arabic often uses more religious or formal intensifiers to show agreement.

Chinese high

那还用说 (Nà hái yòng shuō)

The Chinese version is a question, while the Korean version is a statement of consequence (it becomes nagging).

Portuguese high

Nem precisa falar / Com certeza

Portuguese speakers might use 'Com certeza' (With certainty) more frequently in a wider range of formality.

Easily Confused

두말하면 잔소리죠. در مقابل 잔소리 좀 그만하세요

Learners might think '두말하면 잔소리' is a request to stop nagging.

If '두말하면' is at the start, it's an idiom for agreement. If '잔소리' is the object of '그만하다' (stop), it's a complaint.

두말하면 잔소리죠. در مقابل 두말 말고

Both start with '두말' (two words).

'두말 말고' means 'without further ado' or 'don't argue,' usually followed by a command.

سوالات متداول (10)

Usually, yes, it means nagging. But in this specific idiom, it's used rhetorically and is not negative at all.

Yes, if you use the '-입니다' or '-죠' ending and the atmosphere is friendly. It shows you strongly support their point.

'당연하죠' is more direct and standard. '두말하면 잔소리죠' is more idiomatic, colorful, and emphasizes that the question was almost unnecessary.

It's great for casual writing, blogs, or texts. In very formal academic papers, use '말할 필요도 없이' instead.

In texting, people sometimes just write '두말하면 잔소리' without the ending verb.

Not at all! It's a classic idiom that people of all ages use daily.

No, the idiom is fixed with '두말' (two words/saying it twice).

It refers to repeating the same thing a second time. The first time is information; the second time is nagging.

Telling someone '잔소리 그만해' (Stop nagging) can be rude. But '두말하면 잔소리죠' is a self-referential idiom and is perfectly polite.

Use '말도 안 돼요' (That doesn't even make sense) or '그럴 리가요' (No way).

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