मतलब
It's easy to overlook things that are close at hand or right in front of you.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The {등잔|燈盞} was more than just a light; it was a symbol of a scholar's late-night study. This proverb reminds scholars that while they seek truth in books, they shouldn't ignore the reality of their own lives. In Korean companies, this is often used during performance reviews or HR meetings to encourage looking for internal candidates before hiring expensive external ones. This is a favorite theme in K-dramas, especially in 'friends-to-lovers' stories where the protagonist searches for love everywhere except with their best friend. Using this proverb about yourself when you make a mistake (like losing your keys) is seen as humble and charming, showing you don't take yourself too seriously.
Use it for self-irony
When you find something you lost, say it to yourself to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't over-explain
Koreans usually just say the first half: '등잔 밑이 어둡다더니...' and let the listener finish the thought.
मतलब
It's easy to overlook things that are close at hand or right in front of you.
Use it for self-irony
When you find something you lost, say it to yourself to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't over-explain
Koreans usually just say the first half: '등잔 밑이 어둡다더니...' and let the listener finish the thought.
The 'Beob-ida' ending
Use '-법이다' when you want to sound like a wise teacher or an elder giving advice.
Hanja connection
Learning '등하불명' will help you understand news headlines and formal documents.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank with the correct proverb form.
안경을 머리에 쓰고 한참 찾았네요. 정말 (______) 어두운 법이에요.
The standard proverb is '등잔 밑이 어둡다'.
Which situation best fits the proverb '등잔 밑이 어둡다'?
다음 중 속담의 의미와 가장 잘 어울리는 상황은?
The proverb refers to missing things that are close by.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
가: 우리 회사에 이런 인재가 있는 줄 몰랐어요. 나: 그러게요. (______).
This proverb is used when realizing someone close has hidden value.
Match the proverb to the modern context.
You realize your childhood friend is actually your soulmate.
Missing a romantic connection with someone close is a classic 'dark lamp base' scenario.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Proximity vs. Distance
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यास안경을 머리에 쓰고 한참 찾았네요. 정말 (______) 어두운 법이에요.
The standard proverb is '등잔 밑이 어둡다'.
다음 중 속담의 의미와 가장 잘 어울리는 상황은?
The proverb refers to missing things that are close by.
가: 우리 회사에 이런 인재가 있는 줄 몰랐어요. 나: 그러게요. (______).
This proverb is used when realizing someone close has hidden value.
You realize your childhood friend is actually your soulmate.
Missing a romantic connection with someone close is a classic 'dark lamp base' scenario.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
12 सवालNo, it's generally neutral or friendly. However, don't use it to mock someone who is genuinely upset about losing something important.
Yes! It's very common to use it when you realize a friend or family member has a secret or talent you didn't know about.
It's a traditional Korean oil lamp, usually a small ceramic bowl with a wick, placed on a wooden stand.
'등잔 밑이 어둡다' is much more common in daily speech. '등하불명' is for writing.
'밑이' makes the area under the lamp the subject that 'is dark.' '밑에' would mean 'it is dark *at* the bottom,' which is also okay but less common for the proverb.
Yes, especially when discussing internal resources or overlooked local market trends.
The proverb always uses 'dark' (어둡다), but the meaning is always about 'not seeing' or 'not knowing.'
Yes, it's one of the most well-known proverbs that almost every Korean knows regardless of age.
Then this proverb does not apply. Use '뜻밖의 발견' (unexpected discovery) instead.
You can say '등잔 밑이 어두웠네요' (It was dark under the lamp).
Not a direct one, but people might say '등잔 밑 대박' (Lamp base, wow) in very casual settings.
Yes, if they were hiding nearby or you didn't realize they were in the same building.
संबंधित मुहावरे
등하불명
synonymDarkness under the lamp (Hanja version)
낫 놓고 기역자도 모른다
similarNot knowing the letter 'Giyeok' even with a sickle in front of you
엎어지면 코 닿을 데
builds onA place where your nose touches the ground if you fall
구슬이 서 말이라도 꿰어야 보배
contrastEven if you have three bushels of beads, they are only jewels if strung together
