Signification
To block out sound with one's hands, often to avoid hearing something unpleasant.
Contexte culturel
In Korean corporate culture, 'blocking ears' is a common complaint against 'Kkondae' (authoritarian older people/bosses). It represents a generational gap in communication styles. Confucian values emphasize 'I-cheong' ({耳聽|이청}), the wisdom of listening. Blocking ears is seen as a rejection of this fundamental path to self-improvement. K-pop lyrics often use 'blocking ears' to describe a protagonist who wants to ignore the harsh words of society or critics to follow their own path. Korean parents often use this phrase when their children are going through a rebellious phase (Sishunchi), indicating a breakdown in parental authority.
Use with '-고 있다'
To describe someone who is currently being stubborn, use '귀를 막고 있어요'. It sounds very natural.
Don't be too direct
Telling someone '귀를 막지 마세요' can be very rude. Use it to describe a third person instead.
Signification
To block out sound with one's hands, often to avoid hearing something unpleasant.
Use with '-고 있다'
To describe someone who is currently being stubborn, use '귀를 막고 있어요'. It sounds very natural.
Don't be too direct
Telling someone '귀를 막지 마세요' can be very rude. Use it to describe a third person instead.
Combine with '고집'
Use it with '고집이 세다' (to be stubborn) to sound like a pro: '고집이 세서 귀를 막고 있네요.'
News Context
When you see '귀를 막다' in a newspaper, it's almost always about politics or social issues.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '귀를 막다'.
아무리 말해도 그는 (______) 제 말을 듣지 않아요.
'귀를 막고' (blocking his ears and...) is the most natural way to describe a continuous state of ignoring someone.
Which situation best fits the idiom '귀를 막다'?
다음 중 '귀를 막다'를 사용하기 가장 좋은 상황은?
The idiom is used when someone willfully ignores advice or criticism.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 민수 씨한테 그 소식 전했어요? 나: 네, 그런데 민수 씨는 (______).
This correctly expresses that Minsu is refusing to hear the news.
Match the phrase to the nuance.
Match '귀를 막다' with its figurative nuance.
The primary figurative nuance of '귀를 막다' is stubbornness or refusal to communicate.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Active vs Passive Ears
Banque d exercices
4 exercices아무리 말해도 그는 (______) 제 말을 듣지 않아요.
'귀를 막고' (blocking his ears and...) is the most natural way to describe a continuous state of ignoring someone.
다음 중 '귀를 막다'를 사용하기 가장 좋은 상황은?
The idiom is used when someone willfully ignores advice or criticism.
가: 민수 씨한테 그 소식 전했어요? 나: 네, 그런데 민수 씨는 (______).
This correctly expresses that Minsu is refusing to hear the news.
Match '귀를 막다' with its figurative nuance.
The primary figurative nuance of '귀를 막다' is stubbornness or refusal to communicate.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, but usually we say '귀마개를 하다' (to use earplugs). '귀를 막다' sounds more like using your hands.
Mostly yes, as it implies ignoring something. However, it can be neutral if you're literally blocking out noise.
'막다' is more common and feels more active/physical. '닫다' is slightly more metaphorical and formal.
You can say '내 말에 귀 막지 마' (Informal) or '제 말에 귀를 막지 마세요' (Polite).
The words are native Korean, but the concept is related to {閉塞|폐색} (blockage).
No, for texts we use '읽씹' (read and chew/ignore). '귀를 막다' is specifically for spoken words or advice.
No, it's too accusatory. Use '제 의견도 들어주셨으면 좋겠습니다' instead.
Yes, but '귀를 막다' emphasizes the *refusal* to listen more than the *pretending* part.
Yes, it's a cute way to describe a dog ignoring its owner.
'귀를 기울이다' (to lean one's ear/listen carefully).
Yes, it's one of the most common idioms involving body parts in Korean.
Yes, it's very effective in persuasive or critical essays.
Expressions liées
귀를 기울이다
contrastTo listen carefully; to lean one's ear toward something.
한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘리다
similarIn one ear and out the other.
귀가 가렵다
builds onTo feel like someone is talking about you.
귀를 닫다
synonymTo close one's ears.
못 들은 체하다
similarTo pretend not to hear.
