A2 Idiom तटस्थ

발길을 돌리다

balgireul dollida

Turn one's steps back

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase when you head toward a place but decide (or are forced) to turn back or go elsewhere.

Means: To turn one's steps back or change direction mid-journey.
Used in: Restaurants being full, shops being closed, or changing your mind.
Don't confuse: It's not just 'turning around' physically; it implies a change in destination.

🚶‍♂️ + ❌ + ↩️ = 발길을 돌리다

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'to go back.' Use it when you go to a shop but it is closed. You turn your feet and go home. It is like 'I changed my mind and went back.'

It is an idiom that means to turn back or change direction. You use it when you arrive at a place but cannot enter, or you decide to go somewhere else. For example, 'The restaurant was full, so I turned back.'

This idiom describes the act of abandoning a planned visit or changing one's course of action upon arrival. It often implies that an external factor, like a crowd or a closed door, caused the change. It's more descriptive than simply saying 'returned.'

Beyond physical movement, this phrase can signify a shift in one's interests or intentions. It is frequently used in journalism to describe consumer trends or public sentiment shifting away from a particular person, place, or idea. It carries a nuance of 'giving up' or 'redirecting.'

Linguistically, this idiom functions as a causative construction where the subject 'turns' their own path. It is a staple of literary prose to evoke a sense of resignation or a pivotal moment of decision. It can also be used in socio-economic analyses to describe the withdrawal of support or patronage from an institution.

This expression encapsulates the cognitive mapping of intention onto physical movement. In advanced discourse, it serves as a metaphor for ideological shifts or the cessation of a specific behavioral trajectory. Mastery involves understanding the subtle emotional undertones—ranging from pragmatic redirection to profound existential regret—depending on the narrative context.

मतलब

To turn back or go in a different direction.

🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

In traditional Korean villages, the 'entrance' (어귀) was a social hub. Turning back from here without entering was a significant social signal. The 'Open Run' (waiting for a store to open) culture means many people have to '{발|足}{길|路}을 돌리다' if they aren't fast enough. Characters often walk all the way to a lead's house, see them with someone else, and silently '{발|足}{길|路}을 돌리다' to show their heartbreak. If a business partner 'turns their feet' away from a deal, it implies a loss of trust or a better offer elsewhere.

💡

Use with '아쉽게도'

Pairing this with '아쉽게도' (unfortunately) makes you sound very natural and expresses disappointment.

⚠️

Don't use for cars

Remember, this is a 'foot' idiom. For cars, use '차를 돌리다'.

मतलब

To turn back or go in a different direction.

💡

Use with '아쉽게도'

Pairing this with '아쉽게도' (unfortunately) makes you sound very natural and expresses disappointment.

⚠️

Don't use for cars

Remember, this is a 'foot' idiom. For cars, use '차를 돌리다'.

🎯

Metaphorical use

In writing, use it to describe people changing their minds about a brand or a politician to sound more sophisticated.

खुद को परखो

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.

식당에 줄이 너무 길어서 그냥 ( ) 돌렸어요.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 발길을

The standard idiom is '{발|足}{길|路}을 돌리다'.

Which situation best fits the phrase '{발|足}{길|路}을 돌리다'?

다음 중 '{발|足}{길|路}을 돌리다'를 사용하기 가장 좋은 상황은?

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 가려던 카페가 문을 닫아서 다시 돌아갈 때

The idiom is used when you have to give up on a destination and return.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 박물관 구경 잘 했어? B: 아니, 월요일이라 문을 닫았더라고. 그래서 그냥 ( ).

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 발길을 돌렸어

Since the museum was closed, the speaker had to turn back.

Match the reason with the action.

Match: [1. 재고가 없어서] [2. 비가 너무 많이 와서] [3. 사람이 너무 많아서]

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 1-C, 2-A, 3-B

Each reason leads to the act of turning back from a specific goal.

🎉 स्कोर: /4

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

Not necessarily, but it usually implies that the original plan didn't work out. It can be positive if you are turning away from a 'bad path' in life.

Yes, they are interchangeable. '발걸음' (steps) is slightly more poetic.

'돌아가다' is just 'to return.' '발길을 돌리다' is 'to turn one's steps,' which emphasizes the act of changing direction.

Yes, it is neutral and professional enough to describe market trends or customer behavior.

Use the form '{발|足}{길|路}을 돌려야 했다' or '{발|足}{길|路}을 돌릴 수밖에 없었다'.

It's better to use '자전거를 돌리다', but metaphorically, people will understand you.

Usually, yes. It implies you reached the point where you realized you couldn't proceed.

Younger people might say '입구컷' (entrance cut) for being rejected at a door, or just '빽했다' (backed).

No, for turning a corner, use '모퉁이를 돌다'.

Very often! Especially regarding tourism, shopping trends, or political support.

कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें

🍱

Restaurant is full

A: 여기 맛집이라더니 대기 줄이 너무 기네.

B: 그러게. 배고픈데 그냥 {발|足}{길|路}을 돌리자.

informal

🔒

Shop is closed

A: 오늘 백화점 휴무일인 거 몰랐어?

B: 응, 입구까지 갔다가 {발|足}{길|路}을 돌렸어.

neutral

⛈️

Bad weather on a trip

A: 정상까지 가실 거예요?

B: 아니요, 날씨가 안 좋아서 중간에 {발|足}{길|路}을 돌렸어요.

neutral

😟

Feeling unwelcome

A: 파티 재미있었어?

B: 아니, 분위기가 좀 이상해서 그냥 {발|足}{길|路}을 돌려 나왔어.

informal

🛤️

Changing a life path

Mentor: 잘못된 길임을 알았을 때 {발|足}{길|路}을 돌리는 것이 진짜 용기입니다.

Student: 네, 이제라도 바른 길로 가겠습니다.

formal

🗺️

Tourist trend shift

Reporter: 바가지 요금 때문에 관광객들이 {발|足}{길|路}을 돌리고 있습니다.

Official: 대책 마련이 시급해 보입니다.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of your 'Bal' (Foot) making a 'Gil' (Path), then 'Dol-li-da' (Spinning/Turning) it around like a compass needle.

Visual Association

Imagine walking toward a bright neon sign that suddenly flickers and dies. You stop, pivot 180 degrees on your heel, and walk back into the shadows.

Rhyme

Go to the hill, change your will, turn your bal-gil.

Story

Min-su was starving and walked 20 minutes to his favorite chicken shop. When he arrived, a sign said 'Sold Out.' Disappointed, he had to 'bal-gil-eul dol-li-da' and settle for convenience store ramen instead.

Word Web

발 (Foot)길 (Path)돌리다 (To turn)돌아가다 (To return)방향 (Direction)취소 (Cancellation)포기 (Giving up)변경 (Change)

चैलेंज

Next time you see a store is closed or a bus is too full to board, say to yourself in Korean: '아쉽지만 발길을 돌려야겠네' (It's a shame, but I'll have to turn back).

In Other Languages

English high

To turn back / To beat a retreat

Korean emphasizes the 'path of the feet' specifically.

Spanish moderate

Dar media vuelta

Spanish focuses on the rotation; Korean focuses on the journey/path.

French high

Rebrousser chemin

French uses a specific verb 'rebrousser' which is less common than '돌리다'.

German moderate

Umkehren

German is a single verb, whereas Korean is a descriptive idiom.

Japanese high

引き返す (Hikikaesu)

Japanese uses a compound verb; Korean uses a noun-verb idiom.

Arabic high

عاد أدراجه (Aada adrajahu)

The Arabic version is slightly more formal/literary than the Korean one.

Chinese moderate

折返 (Zhéfǎn)

Chinese focuses on the geometry of the route; Korean on the feet.

Portuguese moderate

Voltar atrás

Portuguese is more generic; Korean is more visual.

Easily Confused

발길을 돌리다 बनाम 고개를 돌리다

Both involve 'turning' (돌리다).

고개 is your head/neck. This means looking away. 발길 is your path. This means walking away.

발길을 돌리다 बनाम 돌아가다

Both mean 'to return'.

'돌아가다' is the general act of returning. '발길을 돌리다' emphasizes the moment of changing direction at the destination.

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