Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this when someone acts suspicious or defensive because they know they've done something wrong, even before anyone accuses them.
- Means: A guilty conscience makes you act nervous or reveal yourself.
- Used in: Catching someone in a lie or observing suspicious behavior.
- Don't confuse: Do not use this for actual physical leg numbness.
आपके स्तर पर व्याख्या:
मतलब
A guilty conscience reveals itself; someone acts suspiciously because they are guilty.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Korea, proverbs involving body parts are very common. The 'foot' often represents one's foundation or movement. A 'numb foot' implies you cannot walk away from your crimes easily. Confucian values emphasize honesty and self-reflection. This proverb serves as a moral warning that your inner self will always betray your lies. In K-Dramas, this phrase is often used during police interrogations or when a 'villain' starts acting erratic before their secret is revealed. Using this phrase to someone's face can be quite aggressive or teasing. It's often used in the third person to describe someone else's behavior.
Use with '-나 보다'
It sounds more natural to say '{제|自} {발|足} 저리나 봐요' (It seems they feel guilty) rather than a direct accusation.
Don't use for physical pain
Koreans will be very confused if you use this for a leg cramp.
Use with '-나 보다'
It sounds more natural to say '{제|自} {발|足} 저리나 봐요' (It seems they feel guilty) rather than a direct accusation.
Don't use for physical pain
Koreans will be very confused if you use this for a leg cramp.
The 'Thief' context
Remember that the full proverb starts with 'Thief' (도둑), which helps you remember the 'guilt' aspect.
खुद को परखो
Choose the most appropriate situation to use '{제|自} {발|足} 저리다'.
Which person is '{제|自} {발|足} 저린'?
Option B shows someone making an unprompted excuse to hide their guilt, which is the definition of the phrase.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
아무도 안 물어봤는데 왜 혼자 변명을 해? 너 (______) 저리니?
The idiom is '{제|自} {발|足} 저리다'.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 어제 내 초콜릿 누가 먹었어? 나: 난 진짜 안 먹었어! 어제 하루 종일 밖에 있었단 말이야! 가: ________________________.
The person '나' is over-explaining, so '가' would suspect them of being guilty.
🎉 स्कोर: /3
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासWhich person is '{제|自} {발|足} 저린'?
Option B shows someone making an unprompted excuse to hide their guilt, which is the definition of the phrase.
아무도 안 물어봤는데 왜 혼자 변명을 해? 너 (______) 저리니?
The idiom is '{제|自} {발|足} 저리다'.
가: 어제 내 초콜릿 누가 먹었어? 나: 난 진짜 안 먹었어! 어제 하루 종일 밖에 있었단 말이야! 가: ________________________.
The person '나' is over-explaining, so '가' would suspect them of being guilty.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
4 सवालYes, it's very common for small things like eating someone's snack or forgetting a chore.
It can be seen as an accusation, so use it carefully with superiors. With friends, it's fine for teasing.
It is {自|제}, meaning 'self'.
Yes, '찔리다' (to be pricked) is the most common modern slang equivalent.
संबंधित मुहावरे
찔리다
similarTo feel a prick of conscience
켕기다
similarTo feel uneasy/suspicious
발이 넓다
contrastTo have a wide social circle
도둑이 매를 들다
builds onThe thief picks up the whip
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
Eating a roommate's food
Roommate A: 내 케이크 어디 갔지?
Roommate B: 난 안 먹었어! 진짜야! 어제부터 다이어트 중이라고!
Roommate A: 물어보지도 않았는데... {제|自} {발|足} 저리나 보네.
Breaking something at home
Mom: 거실에서 무슨 소리 안 났니?
Son: 아무 소리도 안 났어요! 전 계속 공부만 했어요!
Mom: 너 {제|自} {발|足} 저리지? 가서 확인해 봐.
Office mistake
Manager: 이 보고서 오타가 좀 많네요.
Employee: 부장님, 제가 어제 너무 바빠서... 아니, 제가 한 건 아닌데...
Dating/Cheating suspicion
Girlfriend: 어제 왜 전화 안 받았어?
Boyfriend: 아, 그게... 배터리가 없어서... 진짜야, 나 딴짓 안 했어!
Girlfriend: 딴짓 했냐고 안 물어봤는데? {제|自} {발|足} 저려?
School cheating
Teacher: 이번 시험 결과가 좀 이상하네.
Student: 선생님, 저 진짜 공부 열심히 했어요! 컨닝 안 했어요!
Teacher: 도둑이 {제|自} {발|足} 저린다더니...
Social Media Drama
User A: 요즘 거짓말하는 사람들이 너무 많아.
User B: 내 얘기 하는 거야? 나한테 불만 있어?
User A: 너라고 안 했는데... {제|自} {발|足} 저리냐?
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
Think of a thief hiding in a dark room. He's so nervous his foot falls asleep, and when he rubs it, the noise gets him caught!
दृश्य संबंध
Imagine a person with a giant, glowing, tingling neon foot trying to walk quietly away from a broken vase. The foot is literally 'buzzing' with guilt.
Rhyme
Guilty heart, shaky start, numb foot plays its part.
Story
You ate your roommate's cake. When they walk in, you suddenly start talking about how much you love exercise and how you never eat sugar. Your roommate looks at you and says, 'Why is your foot numb?'—meaning, why are you acting so guilty?
In Other Languages
English has 'A guilty conscience needs no accuser.' Spanish uses 'He who has a straw tail (rabo de paja) shouldn't get near the fire.' Both focus on how guilt makes you vulnerable.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Next time you see someone over-explaining something, think to yourself: '저 사람 {제|自} {발|足} 저린가 봐요' (That person seems to have a numb foot).
Review this phrase 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week after learning. Focus on the connection between 'foot' and 'guilt'.
उच्चारण
Pronounce '제' clearly, followed by a slightly aspirated '발'.
The 'j' sound is soft, and the 'r' is a light flap.
औपचारिकता का स्तर
그분은 {제|自} {발|足}이 저리신 모양입니다. (Observing a suspicious person.)
그는 {제|自} {발|足} 저린가 봐요. (Observing a suspicious person.)
걔 {제|自} {발|足} 저리나 봐. (Observing a suspicious person.)
저 새끼 {제|自} {발|足} 저려서 저러네. (Observing a suspicious person.)
Derived from ancient Korean folk wisdom and oral storytelling. It likely originated from the observation that people who are nervous (due to guilt) often fidget, rub their legs, or shift their weight, much like someone whose foot has fallen asleep.
रोचक तथ्य
There is a similar Korean proverb: '꼬리가 길면 밟힌다' (If your tail is long, it will be stepped on), meaning if you keep doing bad things, you will eventually get caught.
सांस्कृतिक नोट्स
In Korea, proverbs involving body parts are very common. The 'foot' often represents one's foundation or movement. A 'numb foot' implies you cannot walk away from your crimes easily.
“도둑이 {제|自} {발|足} 저린다.”
Confucian values emphasize honesty and self-reflection. This proverb serves as a moral warning that your inner self will always betray your lies.
“The concept of 'Shin-dok' (being careful when alone).”
In K-Dramas, this phrase is often used during police interrogations or when a 'villain' starts acting erratic before their secret is revealed.
“A character suddenly buying gifts for someone they betrayed.”
Using this phrase to someone's face can be quite aggressive or teasing. It's often used in the third person to describe someone else's behavior.
“저 사람 {제|自} {발|足} 저린가 봐요.”
बातचीत की शुरुआत
친구 중에 아무도 안 물어봤는데 변명하는 사람이 있어요?
거짓말을 하면 왜 {제|自} {발|足}이 저릴까요?
सामान्य गलतियाँ
다리가 저려서 병원에 가야겠어요. {제|自} {발|足} 저려요.
다리에 {쥐|鼠}가 났어요. / 다리가 저려요.
L1 Interference
그는 {제|自} {발|足}을 저렸다.
그는 {제|自} {발|足}이 저렸다.
L1 Interference
도둑이 {제|自} {손|手} 저리다.
도둑이 {제|自} {발|足} 저리다.
L1 Interference
Using it for someone who is genuinely innocent but just nervous.
당황하다 / 긴장하다
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
Korean uses the 'numb foot' metaphor; English uses the concept of an 'accuser'.
Quien tiene rabo de paja, no se acerque a la candela.
Spanish focuses on vulnerability to exposure, while Korean focuses on the involuntary physical reaction of guilt.
Qui se sent morveux, qu'il se mouche.
French uses a somewhat 'gross' physical metaphor to mock the guilty person.
Getroffene Hunde bellen.
German uses a dog metaphor; Korean uses a foot metaphor.
身に覚えがある (Mi ni oboe ga aru)
Japanese focuses on the 'memory' of the act, whereas Korean focuses on the 'numbness' of the guilt.
做贼心虚 (Zuò zéi xīn xū)
Chinese focuses on the 'heart' (mind), while Korean focuses on the 'foot'.
اللي على راسه بطحة يحسس عليها
Arabic uses a 'bump on the head' instead of a 'numb foot'.
A carapuça serviu.
Portuguese focuses on the 'fit' of the accusation, like 'if the shoe fits'.
Spotted in the Real World
“광수야, 너 왜 갑자기 변명해? {제|自} {발|足} 저리지?”
Lee Kwang-soo was acting suspicious during a mission.
“검찰 조사를 앞두고 해명 자료를 배포한 것은 {제|自} {발|足} 저린 행위라는 비판이 나옵니다.”
A politician released a statement before being officially accused.
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
Both involve a 'numb' or 'tingling' feeling in the legs.
Use '쥐가 나다' for physical cramps and '{제|自} {발|足} 저리다' for psychological guilt.
Both use 'foot' and relate to guilt/peace of mind.
'발을 뻗고 자다' means to sleep peacefully because you have NO guilt.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (4)
Yes, it's very common for small things like eating someone's snack or forgetting a chore.
usage contextsIt can be seen as an accusation, so use it carefully with superiors. With friends, it's fine for teasing.
cultural usageIt is {自|제}, meaning 'self'.
grammar mechanicsYes, '찔리다' (to be pricked) is the most common modern slang equivalent.
practical tips
