Signification
To look with intense focus or anger, often indicating determination.
Contexte culturel
In Korea, the 'burning eye' is a common way to describe the intense pressure of the competitive education and work system. Many East Asian cultures share the concept of 'fire' or 'light' in the eyes as a sign of strong character or intense emotion. The idiom is a direct link to the daily life of the past, where the oil lamp was the center of the home. Despite being an old idiom, it remains very popular in modern media, from K-dramas to news reports about intense competition.
Use it for drama
This phrase is great for storytelling. Use it to make your anecdotes more vivid.
Don't use it for love
It is strictly for anger or intense focus. Never use it to describe a romantic look.
Signification
To look with intense focus or anger, often indicating determination.
Use it for drama
This phrase is great for storytelling. Use it to make your anecdotes more vivid.
Don't use it for love
It is strictly for anger or intense focus. Never use it to describe a romantic look.
Pair it with '열심히'
Saying '눈에 쌍심지를 켜고 열심히 했다' is a very natural way to emphasize hard work.
It's a classic
Even though it's an old idiom, it's very much alive in modern Korean.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
그는 범인을 잡기 위해 _________.
The context of 'catching a criminal' requires intense focus, which matches the idiom.
Which situation is appropriate for using '눈에 쌍심지를 켜다'?
Choose the best scenario.
The idiom is used for intense anger or focus, not calm or relaxed activities.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 왜 그렇게 화가 났어? B: _________.
The context of someone stealing something justifies the anger implied by the idiom.
Match the idiom to the correct meaning.
눈에 쌍심지를 켜다
The idiom specifically refers to intense emotional or mental states like anger or focus.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices그는 범인을 잡기 위해 _________.
The context of 'catching a criminal' requires intense focus, which matches the idiom.
Choose the best scenario.
The idiom is used for intense anger or focus, not calm or relaxed activities.
A: 왜 그렇게 화가 났어? B: _________.
The context of someone stealing something justifies the anger implied by the idiom.
눈에 쌍심지를 켜다
The idiom specifically refers to intense emotional or mental states like anger or focus.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt can be, if you use it to describe someone's angry glare at you. But it's not inherently a 'bad word'.
Yes, to describe their intense focus, but be careful not to sound like you are criticizing them.
Yes, it is specifically about the 'look' in one's eyes.
Just use '눈에 불을 켜다'. It's the same thing!
No, it's too informal for professional writing.
Yes, that's the idiom. You can't say 'single-wick'.
All the time! Especially during arguments.
Only if you are being very metaphorical and funny.
No, it's a standard idiom.
Because two wicks make a brighter flame than one.
No, only for anger or focus.
Yes, it is standard Korean.
Expressions liées
눈에 불을 켜다
synonymTo light a fire in the eyes
눈을 부릅뜨다
similarTo open eyes wide
눈을 흘기다
contrastTo glare sideways
눈을 치켜뜨다
similarTo look up with eyes wide
