마음을 비우다
ma-eumeul biuda
To clear one's mind
Phrase in 30 Seconds
To let go of greed, expectations, or worries to find mental peace.
- Means: Letting go of emotional baggage or high expectations.
- Used in: High-stress situations like exams, interviews, or after breakups.
- Don't confuse: Not 'forgetting' (잊다), but intentionally releasing attachment.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
To let go of worries, desires, or negative thoughts.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is often used by professional e-sports players (like those in League of Legends) to explain how they stay calm during high-pressure world championships. In Korea, 'Templestays' are popular for city dwellers. The core program always involves '마음 비우기' through 108 bows or meditation. In the competitive Korean corporate world, '마음을 비우다' is a common way to cope with not getting a promotion without losing face. Characters often go to the Han River or a mountain to 'empty their minds' after a dramatic breakup or family conflict.
Drop the Particle
In casual conversation, Koreans almost always say '마음 비워' instead of '마음을 비워'.
Don't use with 'Head'
Remember, '머리를 비우다' is for resting, '마음을 비우다' is for letting go of greed.
Signification
To let go of worries, desires, or negative thoughts.
Drop the Particle
In casual conversation, Koreans almost always say '마음 비워' instead of '마음을 비워'.
Don't use with 'Head'
Remember, '머리를 비우다' is for resting, '마음을 비우다' is for letting go of greed.
Face Saving
Use this phrase to help someone 'save face' after a failure. It suggests they didn't lose, they just chose to let go.
Pair with Adverbs
Use '완전히' (completely) or '딱' (just/firmly) to sound more native: '딱 마음 비웠지!'
Teste-toi
Choose the most natural phrase for the situation.
A friend is very stressed about a lottery result. What do you say?
To tell someone to stop obsessing over a result, '마음을 비우다' is the standard idiom.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '마음을 비우다'.
욕심을 버리고 (______) 것이 행복의 비결입니다.
The noun form '마음을 비우는 것' (the act of emptying the mind) is required here.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 이번 시합에서 꼭 이기고 싶어요. 너무 긴장돼요. 나: 너무 승부에 집착하지 마세요. (______).
Emptying the mind helps one focus on the task at hand rather than the outcome.
Match the phrase to the correct meaning.
When someone says '마음을 비웠어요' after a job interview, they mean:
It signifies a state of calm acceptance regarding the outcome.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Mind vs. Head
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt has Buddhist roots, but today it is used by everyone, including Christians and atheists, as a general psychological term.
No, for physical objects like a box or a room, just use '비우다' (e.g., 방을 비우다).
Not necessarily. It means you are giving up on the *attachment* to the result, not the effort itself.
'머리를 식히다' is 'to cool one's head' (resting from heat/stress), while '마음을 비우다' is 'to empty the mind' (letting go of desire).
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your younger brother by changing the conjugation.
Yes, that means 'to empty one's thoughts' and is very common when you want to stop overthinking.
In English, 'empty-headed' is an insult. In Korean, '마음을 비우다' is almost always a positive, mature action.
You say '마음을 비웠어요' (ma-eum-eul bi-wot-eo-yo).
Yes! Saying '마음을 비우고 최선을 다하겠습니다' (I will empty my mind and do my best) shows great mental strength.
The opposite would be '욕심을 부리다' (to be greedy) or '집착하다' (to be obsessed/attached).
Yes, many lyrics about breakups use this phrase to describe the process of letting go of an ex.
No, '집을 비우다' means to leave the house empty (nobody is home).
Expressions liées
내려놓다
synonymTo lay down (one's burdens/desires)
욕심을 버리다
similarTo throw away greed
머리를 식히다
similarTo cool one's head
집착을 끊다
specialized formTo cut off attachment
포기하다
contrastTo give up
Où l'utiliser
Before a Job Interview
Friend A: 너무 떨려요. 면접 잘 볼 수 있을까요?
Friend B: 그냥 마음을 비우고 편하게 다녀오세요. 잘 될 거예요.
After a Breakup
Person A: 아직도 전 남자친구 연락을 기다려요.
Person B: 이제 그만 마음을 비우는 게 어때? 너만 힘들어.
Playing the Lottery
Husband: 이번에 로또 당첨되면 뭐 할까?
Wife: 에휴, 기대하지 말고 마음을 비워요.
Sports Competition
Coach: 점수에 신경 쓰지 마. 마음을 비우고 경기에만 집중해!
Athlete: 네, 알겠습니다!
Cleaning the House
Mom: 물건 좀 버려! 왜 이렇게 다 쌓아두니?
Daughter: 알았어. 마음을 비우고 다 버릴게.
Waiting for Exam Results
Student: 합격자 발표가 1시간 남았어요. 심장이 터질 것 같아요.
Teacher: 이미 주사위는 던져졌으니 마음을 비우고 기다리렴.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine your mind is a 'M-A-U-M' (Mind) and you are throwing 'B-I-U-da' (B-I-U = Bye-Bye) to your worries.
Visual Association
Picture a dusty glass jar being rinsed under clear water until it's perfectly transparent and empty.
Rhyme
마음을 비우면, 평화가 오면 (Ma-eum-eul bi-u-myeon, pyeong-hwa-ga o-myeon)
Story
A monk carries a heavy backpack labeled 'Greed.' He reaches a mountain top, takes off the backpack, and says '마음을 비웠다.' He then flies away because he is so light.
Word Web
Défi
Next time you feel stressed about a score or a result, say '마음을 비우자' (Let's empty the mind) three times out loud.
In Other Languages
To clear one's head / To let it go
English focuses on the 'head' (logic), Korean focuses on the 'heart/mind' (emotion/desire).
無心になる (Mushin ni naru)
Japanese 'Mushin' is more technical/martial, Korean '마음을 비우다' is more everyday/psychological.
放下 (Fàngxià)
Chinese uses the verb 'put down' (physical action), Korean uses 'empty' (container metaphor).
Desapegarse / Hacer borrón y cuenta nueva
Spanish focuses on the 'detachment' or the 'new start,' whereas Korean focuses on the 'emptiness' itself.
Faire le vide
French 'faire le vide' is often used for meditation or before sleep, while Korean is used for social/emotional greed.
Den Kopf frei bekommen
German is more about 'freedom' from stress, Korean is about 'emptying' greed.
تصفية الذهن (Tasfiyat al-dhihn)
Arabic uses a 'purification' metaphor, Korean uses an 'emptying' metaphor.
Esvaziar a mente
Portuguese is almost identical in literal meaning but lacks the specific 'greed/ambition' nuance of the Korean idiom.
Easily Confused
Learners think it means 'empty mind' in a good way.
This actually means 'to be stupid' or 'empty-headed.' Never use it to mean meditation!
Both involve 'emptying' something inside.
'속' usually refers to the stomach. '속을 비우다' means to fast or have an empty stomach.
FAQ (12)
It has Buddhist roots, but today it is used by everyone, including Christians and atheists, as a general psychological term.
No, for physical objects like a box or a room, just use '비우다' (e.g., 방을 비우다).
Not necessarily. It means you are giving up on the *attachment* to the result, not the effort itself.
'머리를 식히다' is 'to cool one's head' (resting from heat/stress), while '마음을 비우다' is 'to empty the mind' (letting go of desire).
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your younger brother by changing the conjugation.
Yes, that means 'to empty one's thoughts' and is very common when you want to stop overthinking.
In English, 'empty-headed' is an insult. In Korean, '마음을 비우다' is almost always a positive, mature action.
You say '마음을 비웠어요' (ma-eum-eul bi-wot-eo-yo).
Yes! Saying '마음을 비우고 최선을 다하겠습니다' (I will empty my mind and do my best) shows great mental strength.
The opposite would be '욕심을 부리다' (to be greedy) or '집착하다' (to be obsessed/attached).
Yes, many lyrics about breakups use this phrase to describe the process of letting go of an ex.
No, '집을 비우다' means to leave the house empty (nobody is home).
