Signification
Meaning to be worn out or show signs of heavy use, often with affection.
Contexte culturel
In traditional Korean houses (Hanok), wooden floors and pillars become shiny over decades of human touch. This 'sheen' is celebrated as a sign of a well-lived-in home. Korean master craftsmen often refuse to use new tools, preferring their '손때 묻은' ones because they believe the tool has learned their movements. Despite the trend of minimalism, many Koreans keep '손때 묻은' items as a way to maintain emotional stability in a rapidly changing society. Korean poets often use this phrase to evoke a sense of longing ({그리움|-} ) for parents or a lost hometown.
Positive Dirt
Remember that '때' (dirt) is usually negative, but with '손' (hand), it becomes a warm, positive thing.
The Shine
If an object is described as '반질반질하다' (shiny/sleek), it often has '손때가 묻다' as the reason.
Signification
Meaning to be worn out or show signs of heavy use, often with affection.
Positive Dirt
Remember that '때' (dirt) is usually negative, but with '손' (hand), it becomes a warm, positive thing.
The Shine
If an object is described as '반질반질하다' (shiny/sleek), it often has '손때가 묻다' as the reason.
Writing Tip
Use this in essays about family or childhood to immediately sound more native and emotional.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
이 인형은 내가 어릴 때부터 가지고 놀아서 (______) 묻어 있다.
The idiom is '손때가 묻다', referring to hand-stains from long use.
Which situation is the most appropriate for using '손때가 묻다'?
다음 중 '손때가 묻다'를 쓰기에 가장 적절한 상황은?
The idiom is used for objects used for a long time that carry sentimental value or history.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
가: 이 사전 정말 낡았네요! 버리고 새 거 사세요. 나: 아니에요. 고등학교 때부터 제 (______) 물건이라 버릴 수 없어요.
'손때가 묻은' describes a well-worn, precious object.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercices이 인형은 내가 어릴 때부터 가지고 놀아서 (______) 묻어 있다.
The idiom is '손때가 묻다', referring to hand-stains from long use.
다음 중 '손때가 묻다'를 쓰기에 가장 적절한 상황은?
The idiom is used for objects used for a long time that carry sentimental value or history.
가: 이 사전 정말 낡았네요! 버리고 새 거 사세요. 나: 아니에요. 고등학교 때부터 제 (______) 물건이라 버릴 수 없어요.
'손때가 묻은' describes a well-worn, precious object.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually no. A car being dirty is just '세차가 필요하다' (needs a car wash). You'd only use it for a car if it's a vintage car you've driven for 40 years.
No, it's strictly for inanimate objects.
'묻다' is 'to be stained' (passive/intransitive), '묻히다' is 'to stain something' (active/causative).
Yes, it literally means the grime from hands.
Metaphorically, it refers to the 'trace' of use, even if the object is physically clean.
It's neutral. You can use it with anyone.
Yes, especially for parts like door handles or floors.
Similar, but 'vintage' is a style, while '손때' is about personal history.
'손때 묻은' is the most natural idiomatic translation.
Not really. It requires physical contact.
Expressions liées
손때가 타다
synonymTo be worn out by hand-stains
손길이 닿다
similarTo be touched/cared for by someone
정이 들다
builds onTo grow fond of
새것 같다
contrastTo be like new
때가 타다
specialized formTo get dirty
