귀가 밝다.
Gwiga balda.
To have bright ears.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use '귀가 밝다' to describe someone with excellent hearing or someone who is very quick to pick up on news and gossip.
- Means: Having sharp hearing or being well-informed about secrets.
- Used in: Complimenting health or discussing someone who overhears everything.
- Don't confuse: With '귀가 얇다' (thin ears), which means being gullible.
Explanation at your level:
意味
To have keen hearing; to be able to hear well.
文化的背景
In Korea, it is very common to compliment the elderly on their 'bright ears' and 'bright eyes.' It is seen as a sign of a well-spent, healthy life. Being '귀가 밝다' in a company can be a double-edged sword. It means you are well-informed, but if you act on gossip too much, you might be seen as lacking 'Nunchi' regarding when to stay quiet. Traditional Korean medicine (Hanbang) links ear health to kidney function. Having 'bright ears' is often interpreted as having strong 'Qi' or vital energy. In K-dramas, 'bright ears' are often a character trait for the 'neighborhood gossip' or the 'genius detective.'
The Honorific Rule
When talking about your own hearing, say '귀가 밝아요.' When talking about your boss or an elder, ALWAYS say '귀가 밝으세요.'
Complimenting Elders
This is one of the safest and most appreciated compliments you can give a senior citizen in Korea. It implies they are youthful and healthy.
意味
To have keen hearing; to be able to hear well.
The Honorific Rule
When talking about your own hearing, say '귀가 밝아요.' When talking about your boss or an elder, ALWAYS say '귀가 밝으세요.'
Complimenting Elders
This is one of the safest and most appreciated compliments you can give a senior citizen in Korea. It implies they are youthful and healthy.
Eavesdropping Nuance
Be careful using this for yourself if you just overheard a private conversation; it can sound like you were intentionally spying.
自分をテスト
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '귀가 밝다'.
우리 할아버지는 연세가 많으시지만 아직 (____).
To describe an elderly person's good hearing, '귀가 밝다' is the correct idiom.
Which situation best fits the idiom '귀가 밝다'?
Which person is '귀가 밝은 사람'?
'귀가 밝다' refers to keen hearing or the ability to overhear things.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 너 어제 내가 비밀로 한 얘기 어떻게 알았어? B: 나 (____) 거 몰라? 다 들었지!
B is explaining how they heard the secret, so '귀가 밝은' (having keen ears) is appropriate.
Match the idiom to the correct meaning.
Match '귀가 밝다' and '귀가 어둡다'.
Bright = Good, Dark = Bad in this sensory context.
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ビジュアル学習ツール
Bright vs. Thin Ears
When to use '귀가 밝다'
Health
- • Elderly health
- • Animal senses
- • Hearing tests
Social
- • Office gossip
- • Secret keeping
- • News gathering
よくある質問
12 問Yes! It's very common to say '우리 고양이는 귀가 밝아요' (My cat has keen hearing).
Usually, yes. However, if said with a smirk about someone knowing a secret, it can imply they are a gossip.
The opposite is '귀가 어둡다' (ears are dark), meaning hard of hearing.
No. '귀가 밝다' is an ability. '귀를 기울이다' is the act of listening carefully.
It's a metaphorical use of light to represent clarity of the senses, a common feature in East Asian languages.
No, that sounds very unnatural. Ears cannot be 'smart' in Korean.
Yes, if you are describing your strengths, such as being alert and quick to gather information.
You can say '제가 귀가 좀 어두운 편입니다' (My ears are a bit dark/hard of hearing).
Young people might say '귀가 만렙이다' (Hearing is max level).
Only by using the word 'ear.' Their meanings are completely different (keen hearing vs. gullibility).
Yes, you can say someone who catches notes well has 'bright ears,' though '절대음감' (perfect pitch) is more specific.
Yes, this is a standard Korean idiom used across the entire peninsula.
関連フレーズ
귀가 어둡다
contrastTo be hard of hearing.
귀가 얇다
similarTo be gullible.
귀를 기울이다
builds onTo listen carefully; to pay attention.
귀에 못이 박히다
specialized formTo have heard something so many times you're sick of it.
귀가 가렵다
similarTo feel like someone is talking about you.
どこで使う？
At a Family Dinner
Grandson: (Whispering) 할머니 주무시는 것 같아.
Grandmother: 다 듣고 있다. 내가 귀가 얼마나 밝은데!
Office Gossip
Colleague A: 이번에 김 대리님 승진한대요.
Colleague B: 와, 벌써 알아요? 진짜 귀가 밝으시네요.
At the Doctor's
Doctor: 청력 검사 결과가 아주 좋습니다.
Patient: 제가 원래 귀가 좀 밝은 편이에요.
Waking up to Noise
Roommate: 미안, 내가 깨웠어?
Self: 아니야, 내가 귀가 밝아서 작은 소리에도 잘 깨.
Spying/Eavesdropping
Friend A: 저기서 무슨 말 하는지 들려?
Friend B: 응, 나 귀 밝은 거 알잖아. 다 들려.
Complimenting a Senior
Younger Person: 작은 소리도 다 들으시네요! 귀가 정말 밝으십니다.
Elder: 허허, 아직 건강하다네.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny flashlight inside someone's ear. The light (bright/밝다) makes it easy for sounds to find their way in!
Visual Association
Picture an elderly Korean grandfather with glowing, golden ears. He is sitting in a room and can hear a mouse sneezing in the attic because his ears are so 'bright.'
Rhyme
귀가 밝아, 다 알아! (Gwi-ga bak-ga, da al-a! - Ears are bright, I know it all!)
Story
Once there was a spy who never used a microphone. He just practiced making his ears 'bright' by staring at the sun. Eventually, his ears became so bright that he could hear the thoughts of the king from across the palace garden.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to find one person today who overhears something and say (to yourself or them) '귀가 정말 밝으시네요!'
In Other Languages
To have keen ears / To be all ears
English uses 'sharp' or 'keen,' while Korean uses 'bright.'
耳が早い (Mimi ga hayai)
Japanese focuses on speed (fast), Korean focuses on clarity (bright).
耳聪目明 (Ěr cōng mù míng)
Chinese often pairs hearing with vision in a single idiom.
Tener buen oído
Spanish is more literal and less idiomatic in social contexts.
Avoir l'oreille fine
French uses 'fine' to denote delicacy and precision.
Luchsohren haben
German relies on animal imagery (lynx) rather than light metaphors.
سمعه مرهف (Sam'uhu murhaf)
Arabic uses 'thin/sensitive' to describe the quality of the sense.
Ter ouvidos de tísico
The Portuguese origin is medical/historical, while Korean is metaphorical/visual.
Easily Confused
Both involve the word 'ear' and an adjective describing a quality of the ear.
Think of 'Bright' (밝다) as 'Clear/Good' and 'Thin' (얇다) as 'Weak/Easily broken' (gullible).
Learners use 'bright ears' when they want to say they are listening intently.
'Bright' is a talent you have; 'Leaning' (기울이다) is an action you do.
よくある質問 (12)
Yes! It's very common to say '우리 고양이는 귀가 밝아요' (My cat has keen hearing).
Usually, yes. However, if said with a smirk about someone knowing a secret, it can imply they are a gossip.
The opposite is '귀가 어둡다' (ears are dark), meaning hard of hearing.
No. '귀가 밝다' is an ability. '귀를 기울이다' is the act of listening carefully.
It's a metaphorical use of light to represent clarity of the senses, a common feature in East Asian languages.
No, that sounds very unnatural. Ears cannot be 'smart' in Korean.
Yes, if you are describing your strengths, such as being alert and quick to gather information.
You can say '제가 귀가 좀 어두운 편입니다' (My ears are a bit dark/hard of hearing).
Young people might say '귀가 만렙이다' (Hearing is max level).
Only by using the word 'ear.' Their meanings are completely different (keen hearing vs. gullibility).
Yes, you can say someone who catches notes well has 'bright ears,' though '절대음감' (perfect pitch) is more specific.
Yes, this is a standard Korean idiom used across the entire peninsula.
