Signification
To feel like someone is talking about you behind your back.
Contexte culturel
Koreans often distinguish between the left and right ear, though it's less strict than in some cultures. Some believe the left ear itching means bad things, while the right means good things. The concept of 'Gi' (energy) traveling through space is a common thread in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean idioms regarding bodily sensations. On social media like Twitter (X) or KakaoTalk, people use this phrase when they see their name mentioned in a thread or a group chat they just joined. In the past, this idiom was sometimes linked to the idea of 'ghosts' or 'spirits' whispering in one's ear, though this supernatural element has mostly disappeared.
Use it as a joke
Don't be too serious. It's almost always used with a smile or a playful tone.
Check for bugs!
If your ear is really itchy, check for a mosquito before accusing your friends of gossiping!
Signification
To feel like someone is talking about you behind your back.
Use it as a joke
Don't be too serious. It's almost always used with a smile or a playful tone.
Check for bugs!
If your ear is really itchy, check for a mosquito before accusing your friends of gossiping!
The 'ㅂ' Irregular
Mastering '간지러워' (not 간지럽어) will make you sound much more natural.
Nunchi Power
Using this phrase shows you have good 'Nunchi' (social sense).
Teste-toi
Choose the correct form of the idiom to complete the sentence.
어쩐지 아까부터 ( )더라니, 너희 내 얘기 하고 있었지?
The idiom for being talked about is '귀가 간지럽다'.
Fill in the blank with the correct particle and conjugated form of '간지럽다'.
누가 내 욕을 하나? 귀___ _________.
The subject marker '가' is needed for '귀', and '간지럽다' conjugates to '간지러워요' in polite speech.
Match the situation to the most natural use of the phrase.
Situation: You walk into a room and your friends suddenly stop talking and look at you.
This is a classic 'ice-breaker' usage of the idiom.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
가: 민수 씨, 아까 제 얘기 하셨죠? 나: 어? 어떻게 알았어요? 가: ( )
The speaker felt they were being talked about, so they use the past tense of the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices어쩐지 아까부터 ( )더라니, 너희 내 얘기 하고 있었지?
The idiom for being talked about is '귀가 간지럽다'.
누가 내 욕을 하나? 귀___ _________.
The subject marker '가' is needed for '귀', and '간지럽다' conjugates to '간지러워요' in polite speech.
Situation: You walk into a room and your friends suddenly stop talking and look at you.
This is a classic 'ice-breaker' usage of the idiom.
가: 민수 씨, 아까 제 얘기 하셨죠? 나: 어? 어떻게 알았어요? 가: ( )
The speaker felt they were being talked about, so they use the past tense of the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsMostly, but not always. It can be used for praise too, though '욕' (badmouthing) is the more common association.
Only if you have a very close, friendly relationship. Otherwise, it's a bit too informal.
간지럽다 is often used for being tickled or a light itch. 가렵다 is a more general word for an itch. In this idiom, they are interchangeable.
Yes, it is still very common in K-dramas, variety shows, and daily life.
Some say left is bad and right is good, but most people don't distinguish and just say '귀' (ears) in general.
It becomes '간지러웠어요' (Ganjireowosseoyo).
No, it's a standard idiom (관용구).
If you say '귀가 타요', people will think you are in a fire. Use '귀가 간지러워요' instead.
Then a lot of people must be talking about you!
Yes, this is a long-standing idiom used across the peninsula.
No, it's composed of native Korean words.
No, use '입이 근질근질하다' if you are the one who wants to talk.
Not at all. It's usually seen as charming or funny.
Usually '딱 걸렸네!' (You caught us!) or '아니에요~' (No, we weren't!).
Expressions liées
귀가 얇다
similarTo be easily persuaded (literally: thin ears).
입이 근질근질하다
builds onTo be dying to say something/tell a secret.
귀에 못이 박히다
specialized formTo have heard something so many times (literally: a callus formed in the ear).
뒷담화를 까다
similarTo talk behind someone's back.
