A1 Idiom Neutre

입이 열 개라도 할 말이 없다.

ibi yeol gaerado hal mari eopda.

Speechless even with ten mouths.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this when you have absolutely no excuse for your mistake.

  • Means: I am so wrong that even with ten mouths, I cannot defend myself.
  • Used in: Admitting a clear fault, apologizing for a major blunder, or feeling deep shame.
  • Don't confuse: It is not for being surprised; it is specifically for being in the wrong.
🤐 (Silence) + 🙇 (Apology) = 입이 열 개라도 할 말이 없다

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means you are very sorry. You made a mistake and you have no excuse.
When you do something wrong, you might want to explain. But if the mistake is big, you say this to show you are truly sorry and have no excuses.
This idiom is used to express deep regret. It implies that even if you had many chances to explain yourself, you wouldn't be able to justify your actions because you are clearly at fault.
Used in situations of profound social or professional failure, this phrase serves as an admission of guilt. It effectively shuts down any defensive posturing, signaling that the speaker accepts the consequences of their actions.
This expression functions as a rhetorical device to emphasize the indefensibility of one's position. By invoking the image of 'ten mouths,' the speaker highlights the futility of verbal justification, thereby prioritizing the acceptance of culpability over self-exoneration.
This idiom is a quintessential example of Korean cultural emphasis on accountability. It functions as a performative apology, where the speaker uses hyperbolic imagery to demonstrate the gravity of their error, effectively neutralizing the possibility of further debate or excuse-making in a social context.

Signification

To be utterly speechless, usually due to shame, guilt, or surprise.

🌍

Contexte culturel

In Korea, apologies are often expected to be absolute.

💡

Sincerity

Use this with a sincere tone.

Signification

To be utterly speechless, usually due to shame, guilt, or surprise.

💡

Sincerity

Use this with a sincere tone.

Teste-toi

Fill in the missing part.

제가 실수했습니다. 입이 열 개라도 _____.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 할 말이 없습니다

The idiom requires '할 말이 없다'.

🎉 Score : /1

Questions fréquentes

1 questions

Yes, but it sounds very serious.

Expressions liées

🔄

면목이 없다

synonym

I have no face to show you.

Où l'utiliser

💼

Work Mistake

Boss: Why is the report late?

Employee: 입이 열 개라도 할 말이 없습니다.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you have 10 mouths, but they are all zipped shut because you are so embarrassed.

Visual Association

A person standing with their head bowed, surrounded by ten floating mouths that are all silent.

Story

Min-su forgot his best friend's birthday. When his friend asked why, Min-su felt terrible. He looked down and said, 'I have ten mouths, but I still have no excuse.'

Word Web

죄송하다실수사과변명책임부끄럽다

Défi

Write three sentences about a time you made a mistake and use this phrase.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

No tengo excusa.

Korean uses the hyperbolic 'ten mouths' imagery.

French high

Je n'ai aucune excuse.

Korean is more metaphorical.

German high

Ich habe keine Entschuldigung.

Korean emphasizes the inability to speak.

Japanese high

弁解の余地もありません

Japanese focuses on 'room' while Korean focuses on 'mouths'.

Arabic high

لا عذر لي

Korean is more descriptive.

Chinese high

无话可说

Korean adds the 'ten mouths' hyperbole.

Korean self

입이 열 개라도 할 말이 없다

None.

Portuguese high

Não tenho desculpas.

Korean is more poetic.

Easily Confused

입이 열 개라도 할 말이 없다. vs 할 말이 많다

Sounds similar but means the opposite.

Check if you are apologizing or complaining.

FAQ (1)

Yes, but it sounds very serious.

C'tait utile ?

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