Phrase in 30 Seconds
Even if a path looks solid, check for cracks before you step.
- Means: Always double-check things that seem obvious or safe.
- Used in: Business deals, travel plans, and important life decisions.
- Don't confuse: It's not about being afraid, but about being thorough.
आपके स्तर पर व्याख्या:
मतलब
Even if something seems safe, it's wise to be cautious and check carefully before proceeding.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
Stone bridges (Doldari) were often community projects in ancient Korea. Tapping them wasn't just for personal safety, but a way to monitor the infrastructure for the whole village. In Samsung or Hyundai, this proverb is often invoked during 'Quality Control' meetings. It's a way to justify the high cost of testing and inspection. Teachers use this phrase constantly during exam periods to prevent students from making 'sil-su' (careless mistakes) on easy questions. With the rise of 'fake news,' this proverb is making a comeback online, encouraging netizens to check sources before sharing a post.
Use it as a soft suggestion
If you want to tell a boss or senior to check something without being rude, use the phrase '돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너는 셈 치고...' (As if tapping a stone bridge...).
Don't over-tap
In modern Korean, if you are *too* slow, people might jokingly say you are 'tapping the bridge until it breaks' (돌다리를 두들기다 부수겠다).
Use it as a soft suggestion
If you want to tell a boss or senior to check something without being rude, use the phrase '돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너는 셈 치고...' (As if tapping a stone bridge...).
Don't over-tap
In modern Korean, if you are *too* slow, people might jokingly say you are 'tapping the bridge until it breaks' (돌다리를 두들기다 부수겠다).
The 'Do' is key
Always remember the '-도'. It's the difference between 'Check a bridge' and 'Check even the strongest bridge in the world'.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the missing particle to complete the proverb.
돌다리__ 두들겨 보고 건너라.
The particle '도' means 'even,' which is essential to the meaning: even a strong bridge needs checking.
Which situation best fits the proverb '돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라'?
Choose the best situation:
This shows the caution and double-checking that the proverb advocates.
Complete the dialogue using the correct form of the proverb.
가: 이 보고서 바로 제출할까요? 나: 아니요, ___________________. 오타가 있는지 한 번 더 보세요.
Both '돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라' and '아는 길도 물어가라' fit perfectly as advice to double-check work.
What is the literal meaning of '두들겨 보고'?
Select the correct literal translation:
-아/어 보다 means 'to try doing' and -고 means 'and then.'
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
5 अभ्यास돌다리__ 두들겨 보고 건너라.
The particle '도' means 'even,' which is essential to the meaning: even a strong bridge needs checking.
Choose the best situation:
This shows the caution and double-checking that the proverb advocates.
가: 이 보고서 바로 제출할까요? 나: 아니요, ___________________. 오타가 있는지 한 번 더 보세요.
Both '돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라' and '아는 길도 물어가라' fit perfectly as advice to double-check work.
Select the correct literal translation:
-아/어 보다 means 'to try doing' and -고 means 'and then.'
🎉 स्कोर: /5
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
4 सवालYes, but often in a slightly ironic or self-deprecating way when they are being overly anxious about something small.
Absolutely. It's common to text '돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너자!' to a friend before a big trip or purchase.
They are essentially the same. '두들기다' implies a slightly stronger or more repetitive hitting than '두드리다', but in this proverb, they are interchangeable.
It can be if said directly as a command. Use the '...라는 말이 있잖아요' (As the saying goes...) ending to make it polite.
संबंधित मुहावरे
아는 길도 물어가라
synonymEven if you know the way, ask for directions.
설마가 사람 잡는다
similarThe thought 'it couldn't be' kills people.
천 리 길도 한 걸음부터
builds onA journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
꺼진 불도 다시 보자
synonymLet's check the extinguished fire again.
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
Sending an important email
Junior: 메일 다 썼어요. 지금 바로 보낼게요.
Senior: 잠깐만요, 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라고 했잖아요. 첨부파일 확인했나요?
Buying a used car
Friend A: 이 차 진짜 싸게 나왔어! 바로 사야겠어.
Friend B: 야, 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너야지. 사고 이력은 확인해 봤어?
Traveling to a new place
Traveler: 지도가 있으니까 금방 찾을 수 있을 거예요.
Local: 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너는 셈 치고, 저기 경찰관한테 한 번 더 물어보세요.
Before a job interview
Candidate: 준비는 다 된 것 같습니다.
Mentor: 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너는 마음으로 예상 질문을 한 번 더 검토하세요.
Online Shopping
Daughter: 엄마, 이 옷 예쁘지? 결제할게!
Mother: 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라는데, 사이즈랑 상품평은 제대로 읽어봤니?
Software Update
IT Staff: 서버 업데이트 바로 시작할까요?
Manager: 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너야죠. 백업은 확실히 되어 있습니까?
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
Think of a 'Dull' (Dol) bridge that might 'Dud' (Dudeul) if you don't check it.
दृश्य संबंध
Imagine a person in traditional Korean hanbok standing before a beautiful stone bridge. Instead of running across, they are leaning down with a wooden staff, gently tapping the center stone to hear a solid 'thud' rather than a hollow 'clack.'
Rhyme
Dol-dari tap-tap, avoid the trap.
Story
A young scholar was rushing to his exam. He saw a stone bridge and thought, 'It's stone, it's safe!' He ran, a stone slipped, and his ink spilled everywhere. An old man passed by, tapped each stone with his cane, and crossed safely, saying: 'Dol-dari-do dudeulgyeobogo geonneora.'
In Other Languages
In English, we say 'Look before you leap' or 'Better safe than sorry.' In Japanese, the exact same phrase is used: 'Ishibashi o tataite wataru.'
Word Web
चैलेंज
Today, find one thing you do automatically (like locking the door or sending an email) and 'tap the stone bridge' by checking it one extra time. Say the phrase out loud while you do it.
Review this phrase on day 1, 3, and 7. Focus on the 'do' particle which means 'even'.
उच्चारण
Pronounce 'dol' with a clear 'l' sound, and 'dari' with a soft 'r/l'.
The 'u' is like 'oo' in 'boot', and 'yeo' is like 'yo' in 'yonder'.
औपचारिकता का स्तर
돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라는 말이 있듯이, 신중하게 결정하십시오. (Giving advice about a risky decision)
돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라고 했어요. 다시 확인해 보세요. (Giving advice about a risky decision)
돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너랬어. 한 번 더 봐 봐. (Giving advice about a risky decision)
야, 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너야지. 에바야(It's too much/risky), 다시 봐. (Giving advice about a risky decision)
The phrase dates back to the Goryeo and Joseon periods when stone bridges were the primary means of crossing rivers. Unlike wooden bridges, which were known to be flimsy, stone bridges were symbols of permanence. The proverb arose as a counter-intuitive wisdom: the more permanent something seems, the more dangerous a hidden flaw can be.
रोचक तथ्य
There is a famous 'Doldari' in many Korean folk villages where tourists can actually try tapping the stones with sticks today!
सांस्कृतिक नोट्स
Stone bridges (Doldari) were often community projects in ancient Korea. Tapping them wasn't just for personal safety, but a way to monitor the infrastructure for the whole village.
“The Salgoji Bridge in Seoul is a famous historical stone bridge.”
In Samsung or Hyundai, this proverb is often invoked during 'Quality Control' meetings. It's a way to justify the high cost of testing and inspection.
“A manager might say this before a product launch.”
Teachers use this phrase constantly during exam periods to prevent students from making 'sil-su' (careless mistakes) on easy questions.
“수능 (CSAT) preparation often involves this mindset.”
With the rise of 'fake news,' this proverb is making a comeback online, encouraging netizens to check sources before sharing a post.
“Comments on news articles often cite this proverb.”
बातचीत की शुरुआत
중요한 일을 결정할 때 보통 어떻게 하세요?
한국의 '빨리빨리' 문화에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?
최근에 너무 서두르다가 실수한 적이 있나요?
सामान्य गलतियाँ
돌다리를 두들겨 보고 건너라
돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라
L1 Interference
돌다리도 두들겨 보고 가라
돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라
L1 Interference
Using it for a life-threatening emergency.
N/A
L1 Interference
돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너다
돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Look before you leap
Korean uses a bridge metaphor; English uses a jump metaphor.
石橋を叩いて渡る (Ishibashi o tataite wataru)
Virtually no difference in meaning or usage.
小心驶得万年船 (Xiǎoxīn shǐ dé wànnián chuán)
Focuses on longevity and safety of a journey rather than a specific crossing.
Antes que te cases, mira lo que haces
Much more specific to life choices than general tasks.
Il faut tourner sept fois sa langue dans sa bouche avant de parler
Limited to verbal communication.
Erst wiegen, dann wagen
Uses a scale/weight metaphor instead of a bridge.
في التأني السلامة وفي العجلة الندامة
Focuses on speed vs. slowness rather than verification.
Cautela e caldo de galinha não fazem mal a ninguém
More humorous and focuses on the harmlessness of caution.
Spotted in the Real World
“돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너야지. 서류 다시 확인해.”
Manager Oh is advising the protagonist Jang Geu-rae to be meticulous with his paperwork.
“아이고, 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라는데...”
A mother worrying about her husband's financial decisions.
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
Learners might think this means 'to have a leg cramp' or 'to massage legs' because '다리' also means 'leg'.
In the proverb, '다리' is always the bridge. Context is key!
Both start with '...도' and are very famous proverbs.
This one is about eating before doing anything else (even seeing beautiful mountains).
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (4)
Yes, but often in a slightly ironic or self-deprecating way when they are being overly anxious about something small.
cultural usageAbsolutely. It's common to text '돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너자!' to a friend before a big trip or purchase.
practical tipsThey are essentially the same. '두들기다' implies a slightly stronger or more repetitive hitting than '두드리다', but in this proverb, they are interchangeable.
grammar mechanicsIt can be if said directly as a command. Use the '...라는 말이 있잖아요' (As the saying goes...) ending to make it polite.
usage contexts
