Signification
To encounter an unexpected, often inconvenient, situation by chance.
Contexte culturel
The 5-day market (오일장) was the center of life. People planned their entire week around it. If you missed someone because they were at the market, it was a significant delay. In cities, this is most often used regarding 'Regular Closing Days' (정기 휴무) of department stores or large marts, which usually happen twice a month. Using this proverb can soften a complaint. Instead of saying 'Why are you busy?', saying '가는 날이 장날이네요' blames 'luck' or 'the day' instead of the person. This phrase is a staple in dramas to create 'missed connections' between leads. One character goes to confess their love, but the other character just left for the airport.
Use '-이라더니'
Adding '-이라더니' (As they say...) makes you sound much more natural and culturally aware.
Not for Big Disasters
Don't use this for accidents or deaths. It's for inconveniences, not tragedies.
Signification
To encounter an unexpected, often inconvenient, situation by chance.
Use '-이라더니'
Adding '-이라더니' (As they say...) makes you sound much more natural and culturally aware.
Not for Big Disasters
Don't use this for accidents or deaths. It's for inconveniences, not tragedies.
Positive Twist
While 90% negative, you can use it for a lucky coincidence to sound witty.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the proverb.
가는 [ ]이 장날이다.
'날' means 'day'. The proverb literally means 'The day you go is market day.'
Which situation best fits the proverb '가는 날이 장날'?
Choose the best scenario:
The proverb is used for unexpected, inconvenient coincidences.
Complete the dialogue using the correct form of the proverb.
A: 어제 그 유명한 카페 가봤어? B: 아니, 갔는데 마침 내부 수리 중이더라고. [ ].
Since the event happened in the past (yesterday), the past tense '장날이었어' is correct.
Which ending is most naturally used with this proverb when reflecting on a situation?
가는 날이 장날[ ].
'-이라더니' is used to quote a proverb while commenting on a current situation.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices가는 [ ]이 장날이다.
'날' means 'day'. The proverb literally means 'The day you go is market day.'
Choose the best scenario:
The proverb is used for unexpected, inconvenient coincidences.
A: 어제 그 유명한 카페 가봤어? B: 아니, 갔는데 마침 내부 수리 중이더라고. [ ].
Since the event happened in the past (yesterday), the past tense '장날이었어' is correct.
가는 날이 장날[ ].
'-이라더니' is used to quote a proverb while commenting on a current situation.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it's less common. If you go to a store and they happen to be giving out free gifts, you can say it with a smile.
'가는 날' (the day I go) is the standard form. '오는 날' is rarely used.
Not at all! It is used daily by Koreans of all ages, including in text messages and on TV.
It refers to the specific day a traditional market opens, usually once every five days.
It's a bit casual. In a formal email, it's better to say '공교롭게도 시기가 맞지 않았습니다' (Coincidentally the timing didn't match).
Usually, yes. It implies you 'went' somewhere. For general bad luck, use '운이 나쁘다'.
'가는 날이 장날이네' is the most idiomatic way to say 'Just my luck' regarding timing.
Younger people might say '억까' (Eok-kka), which means being forced into a bad situation by fate/luck.
Because in the past, it meant the person you wanted to see was too busy to talk to you.
Yes! If you go to the beach and it starts raining, it's a perfect time to use it.
Expressions liées
엎친 데 덮친 격
similarMisfortune on top of misfortune.
금상첨화
contrastAdding flowers to silk (something good on top of something good).
설상가상
similarSnow on top of frost (worsening situation).
운수 좋은 날
contrastA lucky day.
