귀가 번쩍 뜨이다
gwiga beonjjeok tteuida
Be surprised by news
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this when you hear something so exciting or surprising that you suddenly pay full attention.
- Means: To be suddenly alerted or highly interested by news.
- Used in: Hearing about sales, secrets, or unexpected good news.
- Don't confuse: It's not about physical hearing ability or loud noises.
Explanation at your level:
मतलब
To be suddenly surprised or alerted by unexpected news or information.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Korea, sharing 'information' (정보) is a key part of social bonding. Being the first to hear something that makes your 'ears flash open' gives you social capital. Ancient physiognomy (관상) suggests that ears that 'stand up' or are 'open' indicate a person who is intelligent and quick to learn. In Korean variety shows (like Running Man), you will often see a 'CG' effect of lightning or sparkles around a cast member's ears when this idiom is used. While hierarchical, Korean offices rely heavily on informal networks. Hearing a 'rumor' that makes your ears perk up is often how people prepare for official changes.
Use with '-다는 말에'
This is the most natural way to link the cause. 'X-라는 말에 귀가 번쩍 뜨였다.'
Spelling Alert
Don't write '띄이다'. Even many Koreans make this mistake, but '뜨이다' is the standard for this idiom.
मतलब
To be suddenly surprised or alerted by unexpected news or information.
Use with '-다는 말에'
This is the most natural way to link the cause. 'X-라는 말에 귀가 번쩍 뜨였다.'
Spelling Alert
Don't write '띄이다'. Even many Koreans make this mistake, but '뜨이다' is the standard for this idiom.
Add Body Language
When saying this, slightly tilt your head or widen your eyes to mimic the 'flash' effect.
Humor
You can use this to jokingly show you are greedy or love gossip. '돈 준다고? 귀가 번쩍 뜨이네!'
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
공짜라는 말에 (______) 뜨였다.
The context of 'hearing' (말에) requires '귀' (ear).
Which situation is most appropriate for this idiom?
When would you say '귀가 번쩍 뜨였다'?
The idiom is used for hearing interesting or advantageous news.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 이번에 우리 팀 전원에게 휴가비를 준대요. B: 정말요? 그 소식에 (______).
Hearing about vacation money is a perfect reason for your ears to perk up.
Match the idiom with its meaning.
Match the following:
귀가 가렵다 means someone is talking about you; 귀가 얇다 means you are easily persuaded.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Eyes vs Ears
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालUsually, it's for news that is interesting, advantageous, or surprising in a way that makes you want to hear more. For purely tragic news, it's less common.
Yes, if a client offers a good deal, saying '귀가 번쩍 뜨이는 제안이네요' is a polite way to show high interest.
'번쩍 뜨이다' is the initial shock of interest; '솔깃하다' is the feeling of being tempted or persuaded after hearing it.
Yes, without '번쩍', the idiom loses its vivid 'flash' meaning and sounds incomplete.
No, you must use the passive '뜨였어요'.
No, it's purely figurative for 'paying attention'.
No, it's a standard idiom used by all age groups.
No, only for things you hear.
Use '눈이 번쩍 뜨이다'.
Yes, very frequently in novels to describe a character's reaction.
संबंधित मुहावरे
귀가 솔깃하다
similarTo be tempted by what one hears.
눈이 번쩍 뜨이다
similarTo have one's eyes opened (literally or figuratively).
귀를 의심하다
contrastTo doubt one's ears.
귀에 못이 박히다
contrastTo hear something so much that a callus forms in the ear.
귀가 가렵다
relatedTo feel like someone is talking about you.
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
Hearing about a sale
A: 백화점에서 오늘만 70% 세일한대요!
B: 정말요? 그 말에 귀가 번쩍 뜨이네요!
Office gossip
A: 김 대리님, 이번에 승진하신대요.
B: 와, 그 소식에 귀가 번쩍 뜨이는데요?
Food delivery
A: 야, 치킨 시켰어. 곧 올 거야.
B: 치킨? 잠자다가 귀가 번쩍 뜨였다!
Travel planning
A: 이번 휴가 때 제주도 비행기 표가 아주 싸게 나왔어.
B: 그래? 귀가 번쩍 뜨이는 소리네!
Job Interview (Informal part)
Interviewer: 우리 회사는 성과급이 아주 높습니다.
Applicant: 그 말씀을 들으니 귀가 번쩍 뜨입니다.
Dating/Romance
A: 지수가 너 좋대.
B: 뭐? 그 말에 귀가 번쩍 뜨인다!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of your ears as 'light bulbs' that 'flash' (번쩍) 'open' (뜨이다) when you hear a bright idea.
Visual Association
Imagine a cartoon character whose ears literally pop open like a window shade with a bright yellow flash when they hear the word 'CASH' or 'SALE'.
Rhyme
귀가 번쩍, 소식은 덥석! (Gwi-ga beon-jjeok, so-sik-eun deop-seok! - Ears flash, grab the news!)
Story
You are walking in a boring desert. Suddenly, you hear the sound of cold water splashing. Your ears 'flash open' (귀가 번쩍 뜨이다) and you run toward the sound. That's the feeling of this idiom.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Today, whenever you hear something interesting, think '귀가 번쩍!' to yourself. Try to use it in one KakaoTalk message.
In Other Languages
Parar la oreja
Spanish focuses on the 'standing' position, Korean on the 'opening' and 'flash'.
Dresser l'oreille
The Korean version feels more 'explosive' due to the word '번쩍'.
Hellhörig werden
German is an adjective/state, Korean is a dynamic verb phrase.
耳がダンボになる
Japanese uses a pop-culture reference; Korean uses a traditional sensory ideophone.
ألقى السمع
Arabic is more about intentional listening, Korean is about an involuntary reaction.
侧耳细听
Chinese describes a deliberate action; Korean describes a sudden sensation.
귀가 번쩍 뜨이다
N/A
Ficar com a orelha em pé
Often used for suspicion in Portuguese, whereas Korean is often for 'good' news.
Easily Confused
Both involve 'ears' and 'opening' (트이다 vs 뜨이다).
Use '트이다' for long-term skill improvement (like language learning) and '뜨이다' for a sudden moment of interest.
Both are idioms about the state of the ear.
'막히다' (blocked) means something is absurd or unbelievable (often negative), while '뜨이다' is about being alert.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (10)
Usually, it's for news that is interesting, advantageous, or surprising in a way that makes you want to hear more. For purely tragic news, it's less common.
Yes, if a client offers a good deal, saying '귀가 번쩍 뜨이는 제안이네요' is a polite way to show high interest.
'번쩍 뜨이다' is the initial shock of interest; '솔깃하다' is the feeling of being tempted or persuaded after hearing it.
Yes, without '번쩍', the idiom loses its vivid 'flash' meaning and sounds incomplete.
No, you must use the passive '뜨였어요'.
No, it's purely figurative for 'paying attention'.
No, it's a standard idiom used by all age groups.
No, only for things you hear.
Use '눈이 번쩍 뜨이다'.
Yes, very frequently in novels to describe a character's reaction.
