A1 Idiom तटस्थ

한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘리다

han gwi-ro deutgo han gwi-ro heullida

in one ear, out the other

Phrase in 30 Seconds

This idiom describes someone who hears information but immediately forgets it or chooses to ignore it.

  • Means: To disregard information as soon as it is heard.
  • Used in: Casual conversations, describing someone's lack of focus, or complaining about ignored advice.
  • Don't confuse: It is not about hearing loss, but about a lack of mental retention.
👂 + 💨 + 👂 = 🚫🧠

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means you hear something but you do not remember it. You use it when someone does not listen to you.
It describes a situation where information enters your ears but leaves immediately without being understood or kept in your memory. It is often used to describe someone who ignores advice.
This idiom is used to characterize a listener who is inattentive or indifferent. It suggests that the speaker's words have no impact on the listener, as the information passes through them without being processed or internalized.
The idiom serves as a metaphor for cognitive bypass. It is frequently employed in interpersonal contexts to express frustration when advice or instructions are disregarded, implying a lack of engagement from the recipient.
This expression functions as a critique of communicative failure. It highlights the discrepancy between the act of auditory reception and the cognitive process of retention, suggesting a deliberate or habitual disregard for the speaker's input.
This idiom encapsulates the phenomenon of selective auditory filtering. It is a linguistic manifestation of cognitive dissonance where the listener maintains the facade of listening while actively preventing the integration of the information into their knowledge base.

मतलब

To pay little attention to what is being said, quickly forgetting it.

🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

In Korea, this phrase is often used by elders to younger people to emphasize the importance of listening to life experience. The concept of 'listening' is tied to 'respect' (예의). Ignoring someone is seen as a social slight. While the idiom exists, it is often used more casually in peer-to-peer settings without the same weight of 'respect' as in Korea.

💡

Use it with '잔소리'

This idiom is most commonly paired with '잔소리' (nagging).

⚠️

Don't use with elders

It can sound disrespectful if you say it to someone older than you.

मतलब

To pay little attention to what is being said, quickly forgetting it.

💡

Use it with '잔소리'

This idiom is most commonly paired with '잔소리' (nagging).

⚠️

Don't use with elders

It can sound disrespectful if you say it to someone older than you.

🎯

Use '흘려듣다'

You can also use '흘려듣다' as a single verb for the same meaning.

खुद को परखो

Fill in the blank with the correct verb.

그는 내 말을 한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 ____.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 흘리다

The idiom requires the verb '흘리다' to mean 'let flow out'.

Which sentence is correct?

Choose the most natural sentence.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘린다.

The standard idiom is 'listen' then 'flow out'.

Match the situation to the idiom.

When someone ignores your advice, what do you say?

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘리지 마.

This is the imperative form for telling someone not to ignore you.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 왜 내 말을 안 들어? B: 미안, ____.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘렸어.

This is the correct past tense usage.

🎉 स्कोर: /4

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

8 सवाल

It can be, depending on the tone. Use it carefully.

Yes, it's common to say 'I just let it go in one ear and out the other'.

No, it works for any information.

'무시하다' is direct ignoring; this idiom is more about not retaining.

No, avoid it in formal writing.

It's an idiom, not slang.

Yes, usually implies a lack of focus.

Not for this specific meaning.

संबंधित मुहावरे

🔗

귀담아듣다

contrast

To listen attentively

🔗

잔소리

builds on

Nagging

🔄

무시하다

synonym

To ignore

कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें

🏠

Parent and Child

Mom: 방 청소 좀 해라!

Child: 네~ (한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘림)

informal
💼

Workplace Meeting

Manager: 이 보고서는 수정이 필요합니다.

Employee: 아, 네. (한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘림)

neutral
☕

Friendship

Friend A: 그 사람 만나지 마, 별로야.

Friend B: 응, 알았어. (한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘림)

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a tunnel through your head where words just zoom through without stopping.

Visual Association

A person with a funnel in one ear and a pipe out the other, with words flying through.

Story

Min-su was talking to his friend about a secret. His friend was looking at his phone. Min-su realized his friend was just letting the words go in one ear and out the other. He stopped talking and walked away.

Word Web

듣다 (to listen)흘리다 (to spill/flow)귀 (ear)무시하다 (to ignore)잔소리 (nagging)주의 (attention)

चैलेंज

Try to identify three times today when you 'let information flow out the other ear' and write them down in Korean.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Entrar por un oído y salir por el otro

None; it is a direct equivalent.

French high

Ça rentre par une oreille et ça ressort par l'autre

None; it is a direct equivalent.

German high

Zum einen Ohr hinein, zum anderen wieder hinaus

None; it is a direct equivalent.

Japanese high

右の耳から左の耳へ抜ける

Japanese specifies the direction (right to left).

Arabic high

دخل من أذن وخرج من الأخرى

None; it is a direct equivalent.

Easily Confused

한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘리다 बनाम 귀를 기울이다

Learners confuse 'listening' with 'paying attention'.

귀를 기울이다 means to lean in and listen closely.

한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘리다 बनाम 귀가 얇다

Both involve 'ears'.

귀가 얇다 means being easily swayed by others.

한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘리다 बनाम 귀가 먹다

Both involve 'ears'.

귀가 먹다 means to be deaf.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (8)

It can be, depending on the tone. Use it carefully.

Yes, it's common to say 'I just let it go in one ear and out the other'.

No, it works for any information.

'무시하다' is direct ignoring; this idiom is more about not retaining.

No, avoid it in formal writing.

It's an idiom, not slang.

Yes, usually implies a lack of focus.

Not for this specific meaning.

क्या यह मददगार था?

टिप्पणियाँ (0)

टिप्पणी के लिए लॉगिन करें
अभी तक कोई टिप्पणी नहीं। अपने विचार साझा करने वाले पहले व्यक्ति बनें!