입이 마르다
175
mouth dries
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase when you want to describe someone talking about something repeatedly with great enthusiasm or deep concern.
- Means: To talk about something so much that your mouth physically feels dry.
- Used in: Praising a friend, recommending a great movie, or worrying about someone.
- Don't confuse: Do not use this for simple thirst; use '목이 마르다' for that.
Explanation at your level:
मतलब
To talk a lot about something, often with enthusiasm or concern.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Korea, 'boasting about one's children' (자식 자랑) is a common social activity among older generations. While it can be seen as annoying, it's also a way to share family pride. The phrase '입이 마르도록' is the standard way to describe this behavior. In a hierarchy-heavy work culture, a boss praising a subordinate 'until their mouth is dry' is a significant sign of favor and can lead to promotions. It's often mentioned in performance reviews. Fans often use this phrase on social media (Twitter/X) to describe how they talk about their 'bias' (favorite member) to their non-fan friends. The 'nagging' aspect of this idiom reflects the traditional Confucian value of constant guidance from elders to juniors. Repetition is seen as a duty of the teacher/parent.
Pair it with 칭찬하다
If you are unsure how to use it, just memorize the block '입이 마르도록 칭찬하다'. It's the most natural and common pairing.
Not for Thirst
Never use this when you want to ask for a glass of water. You will sound like you are bragging about the water instead of wanting to drink it!
मतलब
To talk a lot about something, often with enthusiasm or concern.
Pair it with 칭찬하다
If you are unsure how to use it, just memorize the block '입이 마르도록 칭찬하다'. It's the most natural and common pairing.
Not for Thirst
Never use this when you want to ask for a glass of water. You will sound like you are bragging about the water instead of wanting to drink it!
Humility Check
Koreans might use this to describe *others* praising them, but rarely to describe themselves praising themselves. It sounds more humble to say 'Others praise me until their mouths are dry'.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
어머니는 아들 자랑을 입이 _______ 하셨어요.
'입이 마르게' or '입이 마르도록' are the standard idiomatic forms for excessive praise.
Which situation best fits the idiom '입이 마르다'?
다음 중 '입이 마르도록'을 사용하기 가장 좋은 상황은?
The idiom is used for repeated praise, not for thirst, silence, or spiciness.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 그 식당 진짜 맛있더라! 꼭 가봐. 진짜야! B: 와, 너 진짜 그 식당을 (_________________).
Since A is recommending a restaurant repeatedly, B should use the idiom with '추천하다' (to recommend).
🎉 स्कोर: /3
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
4 सवालNo, it's not rude. It's a neutral idiom. However, if you use it to describe someone's nagging, it can sound a bit dismissive.
Yes, it's very common in descriptive writing and journalism to show how popular something is.
They are 99% the same. '입에 침이 마르다' is just a bit more descriptive and common in casual conversation.
The grammar is simple, but the idiomatic use is usually taught at A2 or B1. However, knowing it early makes you sound very natural!
संबंधित मुहावरे
입에 침이 마르다
similarSaliva dries in the mouth
입이 닳도록
similarUntil the mouth wears away
침이 마르게
specialized formSo that saliva dries
귀에 못이 박히도록
contrastUntil a callus forms in the ear
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
Bragging about a pet
A: 우리 강아지 진짜 똑똑하죠? 어제는 혼자 문도 열었다니까요!
B: 와, 벌써 그 얘기를 {입|口}이 {마르다|渴}도록 하시네요!
Job Interview Recommendation
Interviewee: 전 직장 상사분께서 저를 좋게 봐주셨습니다.
Interviewer: 네, 추천서에 상사분이 지원자님을 {입|口}이 {마르다|渴}도록 칭찬하셨더군요.
Nagging about health
Son: 엄마, 비타민 먹으라는 소리 좀 그만하세요.
Mother: 내가 네 건강 생각해서 {입|口}이 {마르다|渴}게 말하는 거 아니니!
Reviewing a new gadget
YouTuber: 이 스마트폰 카메라, 제가 {입|口}이 {마르다|渴}도록 칭찬했던 거 기억하시죠?
Viewer: 맞아요, 진짜 좋나 봐요. 저도 사고 싶어요.
Dating advice
Friend A: 그 사람 진짜 괜찮아. 한번 만나봐.
Friend B: 네가 {입|口}이 {마르다|渴}게 말하니까 궁금해지네.
Travel stories
Traveler: 제주도는 정말 아름다워요. 꼭 가보세요.
Colleague: 제주도 다녀오시더니 {입|口}이 {마르다|渴}도록 칭찬만 하시네요!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a desert (dry) in your mouth because you've been talking like a waterfall of praise.
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing on a soapbox, talking so fast that little 'dust clouds' come out of their mouth instead of spit, while they hold a picture of something they love.
Rhyme
Praise all day, mouth like hay.
Story
Min-su found a new bakery. He loved the bread so much that he told his mom, his teacher, his bus driver, and even his cat about it. By the end of the day, his mouth felt like a desert. He spoke 'until his mouth was dry'.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Try to describe your favorite hobby to a friend in Korean for 2 minutes straight. Then say: '취미에 대해 입이 마르도록 이야기했어요!'
In Other Languages
Poner por las nubes
Korean emphasizes the speaker's dry mouth; Spanish emphasizes the target's high position.
Ne pas tarir d'éloges
French focuses on the infinite supply of praise; Korean on the physical effect on the speaker.
In den höchsten Tönen schwärmen
German is about the 'quality/pitch' of praise; Korean is about the 'quantity/repetition'.
口が酸っぱくなる (Kuchi ga suppaku naru)
Japanese is usually negative (nagging); Korean is usually positive (praising).
يثني عليه ثناءً عاطراً (Yuthni 'alayhi thana'an 'atiran)
Arabic focuses on the 'beauty' of the words; Korean on the 'effort' of the speaker.
赞不绝口 (Zàn bù jué kǒu)
Chinese focuses on the 'flow' of words; Korean on the 'dryness' caused by the flow.
To sing someone's praises
English uses a musical metaphor; Korean uses a physical exhaustion metaphor.
Falar até não poder mais
Portuguese is more general; Korean is more specific to praise/concern.
Easily Confused
Both involve 'dryness' (마르다) and the head area.
If you need water, it's '목' (throat). If you are talking, it's '입' (mouth).
Both are 'mouth' idioms.
'무겁다' (heavy) means you can keep a secret. '마르다' (dry) means you talk a lot.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (4)
No, it's not rude. It's a neutral idiom. However, if you use it to describe someone's nagging, it can sound a bit dismissive.
Yes, it's very common in descriptive writing and journalism to show how popular something is.
They are 99% the same. '입에 침이 마르다' is just a bit more descriptive and common in casual conversation.
The grammar is simple, but the idiomatic use is usually taught at A2 or B1. However, knowing it early makes you sound very natural!
