마음이 넓다
maeumi neolpda
Generous, open-minded
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this to describe someone who is incredibly patient, forgiving, and doesn't get upset over small mistakes.
- Means: To be generous, understanding, and broad-minded toward others' faults.
- Used in: Complimenting friends, describing a good boss, or praising a patient parent.
- Don't confuse: Don't use it for physical size; it's strictly about personality and temperament.
Explanation at your level:
मतलब
Being understanding, forgiving, and having a broad-minded perspective.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The concept of 'In-hwa' (harmony) is central. Being broad-minded is seen as a way to prevent conflict and maintain peace in a group, which is highly valued in Korean collectivism. Confucianism teaches that a superior person (Gun-ja) should be like water—flexible and able to contain everything. '마음이 넓다' is the modern linguistic descendant of this philosophical ideal. On platforms like Instagram or KakaoTalk, '마음이 넓다' is often used in hashtags (#마음이넓은사람) to describe ideal partners or to praise friends who are supportive. Korean parents are increasingly encouraged to have a 'wide heart' (patience) rather than using traditional strict discipline, reflecting a shift toward more communicative parenting styles.
The 'Green Flag' Compliment
If you want to tell a Korean person they are a great partner or friend, this is the highest compliment you can give. It implies they are emotionally stable and safe to be around.
Avoid Self-Praise
Never say '저는 마음이 넓어요' in an interview. Instead, say '저는 포용력 있는 사람이 되려고 노력합니다' (I try to be an inclusive person).
मतलब
Being understanding, forgiving, and having a broad-minded perspective.
The 'Green Flag' Compliment
If you want to tell a Korean person they are a great partner or friend, this is the highest compliment you can give. It implies they are emotionally stable and safe to be around.
Avoid Self-Praise
Never say '저는 마음이 넓어요' in an interview. Instead, say '저는 포용력 있는 사람이 되려고 노력합니다' (I try to be an inclusive person).
The 'Sok-job-da' Trap
The opposite, '속이 좁다', is a very strong insult. Use it carefully, as it implies someone is childish and petty.
Honorifics Matter
When describing your parents or grandparents, always use '마음이 넓으세요' to show proper respect.
खुद को परखो
Choose the most natural phrase to complete the sentence.
제 친구는 _______. 그래서 제가 실수를 해도 항상 웃으며 용서해 줘요.
The context of 'forgiving with a smile' requires the idiom for broad-mindedness, which is '마음이 넓다'.
Fill in the blank with the correct honorific form.
A: 우리 선생님은 정말 좋으신 것 같아. B: 맞아, 학생들의 고민을 다 들어주시고 정말 ( ).
Since they are talking about a teacher, the honorific '-으세요' is the most appropriate ending.
Match the situation to the correct description.
Situation: Your boss doesn't get angry even when the project is delayed.
Patience and tolerance in the face of mistakes is the definition of '마음이 넓다'.
Complete the sentence using the correct form of '마음이 넓다'.
나는 ( ) 사람이 되고 싶어.
To modify the noun '사람' (person), you need the adjective modifier form '-ㄴ/은'.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Wide Mind vs. Narrow Mind
Who is '마음이 넓다'?
Family
- • Parents
- • Grandparents
Work
- • Mentors
- • Good Bosses
Friends
- • Best Friends
- • Peacemakers
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालUsually no, as it is a positive compliment. However, you could use it sarcastically, but it's rare.
No. 'Kind' is about being friendly. 'Broad-minded' is specifically about being tolerant of mistakes or differences.
Yes, if a child is very sharing and doesn't fight with others, you can say they have a wide heart.
In daily life, '마음이 넓어요' is the most common and safe form.
Yes, '도량이 넓다' (度量-) is the more formal Hanja equivalent.
No, it is strictly for people or their actions/attitudes.
Yes, as a compliment, but use the honorific '넓으십니다'.
You can say '마음이 넓어졌어요'.
Yes, '대인배' (Dae-in-bae) is the most common slang noun for this.
It's a cultural metaphor. A wide space can hold more variety without conflict.
संबंधित मुहावरे
속이 깊다
similarTo be thoughtful and considerate
이해심이 많다
synonymTo be very understanding
속이 좁다
contrastTo be narrow-minded or petty
너그럽다
similarTo be generous/lenient
대인배
builds onA person of great character
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
Forgiving a late friend
A: 미안해! 30분이나 늦었어... 많이 기다렸지?
B: 괜찮아, 그럴 수도 있지. 천천히 와.
A: 와, 너 진짜 마음이 넓다! 고마워.
Describing a good boss
Employee A: 새로 오신 팀장님 어때요?
Employee B: 실수를 해도 화를 안 내시고 마음이 정말 넓으세요.
Employee A: 정말 다행이네요. 일할 맛 나겠어요!
Accepting different opinions
Moderator: 반대 의견이 많은데 어떻게 생각하십니까?
Panelist: 저는 마음이 넓은 자세로 모든 의견을 검토할 준비가 되어 있습니다.
Moderator: 훌륭한 태도입니다.
Comforting a clumsy partner
Boyfriend: 어떡해... 내가 네 컵을 깨뜨렸어.
Girlfriend: 괜찮아, 컵은 다시 사면 돼. 다치진 않았어?
Boyfriend: 우리 자기는 정말 마음이 넓어. 감동이야.
Teacher-Student interaction
Student: 선생님, 숙제를 집에 두고 왔어요. 죄송합니다.
Teacher: 내일까지 꼭 가져오렴. 이번만 봐줄게.
Student: 선생님은 역시 마음이 넓으세요! 감사합니다.
Dating App Profile
Profile Bio: 저는 마음이 넓은 사람을 만나고 싶어요. 서로 이해해주는 연애를 원합니다.
User: 오, 이 사람 가치관이 나랑 잘 맞네!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Wide' (넓다) 'Mind' (마음) as a giant parking lot. Even if a few cars (mistakes) park badly, there is still plenty of space for everyone else!
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing with their arms wide open in a vast, green field. The field represents their heart, and the open arms represent their willingness to accept anything that comes their way.
Rhyme
마음이 넓으면 (If your heart is wide), 친구가 많아지면 (And your friends increase), 기분이 좋아지네 (You'll feel so good).
Story
Min-su accidentally spilled coffee on Ji-won's new white shirt. Min-su was terrified, but Ji-won just laughed and said, 'It's okay, it was time for a new style anyway!' Ji-won's heart was so 'wide' that the coffee stain didn't even leave a mark on their friendship.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Today, when someone does something small that annoys you (like cutting in line or being loud), say to yourself in Korean: '나는 마음이 넓은 사람이야' (I am a broad-minded person) and let it go.
In Other Languages
Broad-minded / Big-hearted
English uses 'big' for heart, Korean uses 'wide'.
心が広い (Kokoro ga hiroi)
Virtually no difference in usage or nuance.
心胸宽广 (Xīnxiōng kuānguǎng)
Chinese often includes 'chest' (心胸) in the phrase.
Tener un gran corazón / Ser de mente abierta
Spanish separates emotional kindness from intellectual tolerance.
Avoir le cœur sur la main / Être large d'esprit
French uses 'spirit/mind' (esprit) for the 'wide' metaphor.
Großherzig sein / Weitherzig
German 'Weitherzig' is slightly more poetic/literary than the common Korean '마음이 넓다'.
صدره واسع (Sadruhu wasi')
Focuses on the 'chest' as the container of patience.
Ter o coração grande / Ter a mente aberta
Uses 'big' for heart and 'open' for mind.
Easily Confused
Learners translate 'big-hearted' literally from English.
Always use 'wide' (넓다) for personality, never 'big' (크다).
Both use '넓다' (wide).
'어깨' is physical shoulders; '마음' is the metaphorical heart. Don't mix them up!
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (10)
Usually no, as it is a positive compliment. However, you could use it sarcastically, but it's rare.
No. 'Kind' is about being friendly. 'Broad-minded' is specifically about being tolerant of mistakes or differences.
Yes, if a child is very sharing and doesn't fight with others, you can say they have a wide heart.
In daily life, '마음이 넓어요' is the most common and safe form.
Yes, '도량이 넓다' (度量-) is the more formal Hanja equivalent.
No, it is strictly for people or their actions/attitudes.
Yes, as a compliment, but use the honorific '넓으십니다'.
You can say '마음이 넓어졌어요'.
Yes, '대인배' (Dae-in-bae) is the most common slang noun for this.
It's a cultural metaphor. A wide space can hold more variety without conflict.
