मतलब
Meaning to rack one's brains or struggle deeply with a problem.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The 'headband of determination' is a real cultural artifact. Students often wear headbands with slogans like '필승' (Certain Victory) during exam periods. The practice of wrapping the head was a common folk remedy for 'Hwa-byung' (anger illness) or stress-induced headaches among scholars. In the workplace, '머리를 싸매다' is often used by leaders to show they are working hard for their employees' welfare or the company's future. Characters in dramas who are 'wrapping their head' are often shown with a specific visual setup: messy hair, a headband, and a desk covered in papers.
Use with '-고 있다'
This idiom is almost always used in the progressive form because racking your brains is a process, not a one-time action.
Don't use for physical injury
If you see someone with a bandage on their head from a fall, don't say they are 'wrapping their head' in this idiomatic sense!
मतलब
Meaning to rack one's brains or struggle deeply with a problem.
Use with '-고 있다'
This idiom is almost always used in the progressive form because racking your brains is a process, not a one-time action.
Don't use for physical injury
If you see someone with a bandage on their head from a fall, don't say they are 'wrapping their head' in this idiomatic sense!
The 'Hard Work' Flex
Using this phrase in a job interview to describe how you solved a past problem will make you sound very diligent and 'Korean' in your work ethic.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '머리를 싸매다'.
시험 범위가 너무 많아서 어제 밤새 (______) 공부했어요.
The context of studying all night for a large exam range requires the idiom for intense effort.
Which situation is MOST appropriate for using '머리를 싸매다'?
다음 중 '머리를 싸매다'를 쓰기에 가장 적절한 상황은?
Solving a serious company deficit is a complex, high-stakes problem that fits the idiom's intensity.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 이번 수학 숙제 다 했어? 나: 아니, 너무 어려워서 세 시간째 (______).
The speaker is struggling with a hard math homework for three hours, which is a perfect 'head-wrapping' scenario.
🎉 स्कोर: /3
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
3 अभ्यास시험 범위가 너무 많아서 어제 밤새 (______) 공부했어요.
The context of studying all night for a large exam range requires the idiom for intense effort.
다음 중 '머리를 싸매다'를 쓰기에 가장 적절한 상황은?
Solving a serious company deficit is a complex, high-stakes problem that fits the idiom's intensity.
가: 이번 수학 숙제 다 했어? 나: 아니, 너무 어려워서 세 시간째 (______).
The speaker is struggling with a hard math homework for three hours, which is a perfect 'head-wrapping' scenario.
🎉 स्कोर: /3
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालIt's better to use '고민하다' for small things. '머리를 싸매다' implies a significant struggle.
No, it's actually quite positive as it shows you are working hard on a company problem.
No, it's 99% figurative. It just means you are thinking so hard it *could* give you one.
'싸매다' is about the struggle/effort; '짜내다' is about the result/idea generation.
Yes, like racking your brains to plan a surprise party, but the process itself is always described as 'hard'.
You can use '{고심|苦心}하다' for a more formal, literary feel.
Yes, '그는 머리를 싸매고 있다' is perfectly fine.
Very often! Especially regarding economic policies or international disputes.
Not really. It's more about the 'painful effort' which is respected in Korea.
Yes, to describe a struggle that is now over.
संबंधित मुहावरे
머리를 맞대다
similarTo put heads together
골머리를 앓다
similarTo suffer from a headache
머리를 짜내다
specialized formTo squeeze one's brain
머리를 식히다
contrastTo cool one's head
밤을 새우다
builds onTo stay up all night
