Signification
Describes someone who is a picky eater or has a small appetite.
Contexte culturel
In Korea, 'eating well' (복스럽게 먹다) is traditionally seen as a sign of good fortune and health. However, '입이 짧다' is a socially acceptable 'excuse' for those who cannot meet these expectations. The term '소식좌' (Soshik-jwa, Master of Small Eating) has become a popular slang term for celebrities known for having a 'short mouth.' It has turned a once-negative trait into a unique personality quirk. When someone says '입이 짧다' about themselves, it is polite for the host to stop pressuring them to eat more. It signals a hard limit on their capacity. In traditional Korean medicine (Sasang typology), having a 'short mouth' is often associated with certain body types (like So-eum-in) who naturally have weaker digestive systems.
Polite Refusal
Use this phrase when you are full at a Korean person's house. It shifts the 'fault' from the cook to your own appetite.
Don't say '입이 작다'
If you say your mouth is small, people will look at your physical mouth and be confused!
Signification
Describes someone who is a picky eater or has a small appetite.
Polite Refusal
Use this phrase when you are full at a Korean person's house. It shifts the 'fault' from the cook to your own appetite.
Don't say '입이 작다'
If you say your mouth is small, people will look at your physical mouth and be confused!
The 'Soshik-jwa' Trend
You can use the slang '소식좌' with friends to sound more modern and trendy.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '입이 짧다'.
저는 (______) 많이 못 먹어요. (Because I have a small appetite, I can't eat much.)
The suffix '-아서' is used here to indicate a reason.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'My child is a picky eater'?
Choose the correct sentence:
'입이 짧다' is the idiomatic expression for a picky eater.
Match the situation to the correct response.
Situation: You are at a buffet but your plate is almost empty. Your friend asks why.
You use '입이 짧다' to explain why you are eating a small amount.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 음식이 맛없어요? 왜 안 드세요? B: 아니요, 맛있어요. 제가 원래 (______).
This is a polite way to explain that the lack of eating is due to your appetite, not the food quality.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Appetite Idioms
Banque d exercices
4 exercices저는 (______) 많이 못 먹어요. (Because I have a small appetite, I can't eat much.)
The suffix '-아서' is used here to indicate a reason.
Choose the correct sentence:
'입이 짧다' is the idiomatic expression for a picky eater.
Situation: You are at a buffet but your plate is almost empty. Your friend asks why.
You use '입이 짧다' to explain why you are eating a small amount.
A: 음식이 맛없어요? 왜 안 드세요? B: 아니요, 맛있어요. 제가 원래 (______).
This is a polite way to explain that the lack of eating is due to your appetite, not the food quality.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's generally neutral or even polite when used about yourself. It can be slightly critical if used about someone else in a complaining tone.
Yes, if they are picky about healthy food and only eat a few things, you can say they have a 'short mouth'.
There isn't a direct 'mouth' idiom for the opposite. You would use '대식{大食}가' (big eater) or '식탐이 많다' (has much food greed).
Use '입이 짧으세요' or '입이 짧으십니다' when talking about an older person.
Mostly, yes. But it also covers people who just eat very small amounts, even if they aren't particularly picky about the taste.
It's probably not relevant unless you're a food critic or in a food-related role. In general, keep it to social settings.
It's better to say '식사를 소량{少量}만 하십니다' to be extra respectful, but '입이 짧으세요' is okay in a casual office setting.
It refers to the 'short' duration of the meal or the 'short' list of foods the person likes.
Yes, '소식좌' (Soshik-jwa) is the most popular modern slang equivalent.
Usually, it's only for food. For drinks, you'd just say '술이 약하다' (weak with alcohol).
Expressions liées
입이 까다롭다
synonymTo be picky/fastidious about food.
입맛이 없다
similarTo have no appetite.
소식{小食}하다
specialized formTo eat small amounts.
편식{偏食}하다
similarTo eat an unbalanced diet (only what one likes).
입이 가볍다
contrastTo have a 'light mouth' (cannot keep secrets).
