재주는 곰이 부리고 돈은 왕서방이 받는다.
jaeju-neun gom-i burigo don-eun wangseobang-i banneunda.
A bear performs, but the rich man gets paid.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this when someone else does all the hard work but another person takes the profit or credit.
- Means: One person works hard, another gets the reward.
- Used in: Workplace complaints, group projects, or unfair business deals.
- Don't confuse: With 'killing two birds with one stone'—this is about unfairness.
Explanation at your level:
意味
Refers to situations where someone works hard, but another person takes all the profit.
文化的背景
The term 'Wang-seobang' (王書房) was a common way to refer to Chinese merchants in Korea during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It reflects the historical economic presence of Chinese traders in Korean markets. In modern Korea, this phrase is often used to criticize 'Gap-jil' (abuse of power by those in superior positions), especially when a 'Gap' (superior) takes the results of an 'Eul' (subordinate). Street performances with bears were a real form of entertainment in Korea until the mid-20th century. This proverb is a direct snapshot of that historical reality. Koreans often use this phrase when discussing international trade where Korean companies provide the technology but foreign brands take the high profit margins.
Use with '-다더니'
It sounds very natural to say '재주는 곰이 부리고 돈은 왕서방이 받는다더니...' when you see a situation that matches the proverb.
Don't use with 'Wang'
If you are talking to someone actually named Wang, avoid this proverb as it might sound like a personal attack or a stereotype.
意味
Refers to situations where someone works hard, but another person takes all the profit.
Use with '-다더니'
It sounds very natural to say '재주는 곰이 부리고 돈은 왕서방이 받는다더니...' when you see a situation that matches the proverb.
Don't use with 'Wang'
If you are talking to someone actually named Wang, avoid this proverb as it might sound like a personal attack or a stereotype.
Modernize it
You can replace '왕서방' with '사장님' (boss) or '플랫폼' (platform) in casual conversation to make it sound more current.
The 'Bear' Image
In Korea, bears are often seen as honest, hard-working, but a bit slow or 'foolish' (in a sympathetic way). This adds to the sadness of the proverb.
自分をテスト
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
재주는 ( )이 부리고 돈은 ( )이 받는다.
The standard proverb uses '곰' (bear) and '왕서방' (Mr. Wang).
Which situation best fits this proverb?
어떤 상황에서 이 속담을 쓸까요?
The proverb is used when one person does the work and another takes the credit/reward.
Complete the dialogue using the proverb.
가: 이번 프로젝트, 우리가 밤새워 다 했는데 팀장님만 보너스를 받으셨대. 나: 정말 너무하네요. ( )더니 딱 그 꼴이에요.
The situation describes unfair reward distribution, which is the perfect context for this proverb.
Match the word with its role in the proverb.
단어와 역할을 연결하세요.
곰 (worker), 왕서방 (profit-taker), 재주 (labor), 돈 (reward).
🎉 スコア： /4
ビジュアル学習ツール
Who does what?
よくある質問
10 問No, it's a generic name for a Chinese merchant, similar to how 'John Doe' is used in English, but with a specific historical occupation implied.
Yes, but be careful. It sounds quite critical. Use it when discussing market unfairness, not when talking to your business partners.
Because of the history of bear circuses in East Asia where bears were trained to perform for human profit.
The term 'Wang-seobang' is generally considered a historical relic rather than a slur, but in a very sensitive modern context, some might find it stereotypical.
There isn't a direct opposite, but '심은 대로 거둔다' (You reap what you sow) represents a fair situation.
부려요 (present), 부렸어요 (past), 부릴 거예요 (future).
It's understandable, but '부리고' is the correct idiomatic verb. Using '하고' sounds like a learner's mistake.
Yes, especially when talking about YouTube algorithms or unfair work environments.
It means talent, skill, or a special trick that someone can do.
People sometimes just say '재주는 곰이 부리고...' and let the listener finish the sentence.
関連フレーズ
죽 쒀서 개 준다
similarTo cook porridge and give it to the dog.
다 된 밥에 재 뿌리기
contrastTo throw ashes on cooked rice.
남 좋은 일 시키다
synonymTo do something that only benefits others.
어부지리
similarThe fisherman's profit.
どこで使う？
Group Project at University
Minjun: 내가 자료 조사랑 PPT 다 만들었는데, 발표한 지수가 점수를 더 잘 받았어.
Hana: 진짜? 재주는 곰이 부리고 돈은 왕서방이 받는다더니 딱 그 상황이네.
Office Politics
Employee A: 김 대리가 밤새워 기획안 썼는데 과장님이 자기 이름으로 보고하셨대요.
Employee B: 완전 재주는 곰이 부리고 돈은 왕서방이 받는 격이네요. 너무해요.
Delivery App Fees
Rider: 하루 종일 뛰어다녀도 수수료 떼면 남는 게 없어요.
Customer: 재주는 곰이 부리고 돈은 왕서방이 받는다는 말이 이럴 때 쓰는 말이군요.
Sibling Rivalry
Older Brother: 내가 설거지 다 했는데 엄마가 너한테만 용돈 주셨어!
Younger Sister: 재주는 곰이 부리고 돈은 왕서방이 받는 거지 뭐. 고마워!
Startup Acquisition
Journalist: 개발자들은 떠나고 투자자들만 큰 돈을 벌었습니다.
Expert: 재주는 곰이 부리고 돈은 왕서방이 받는 식의 엑시트(Exit)는 지양해야 합니다.
Cooking for Guests
Wife: 내가 요리 다 했는데 당신이 생색은 다 내네?
Husband: 에이, 재주는 곰이 부리고 돈은 왕서방이 받는 법이지. 잘 먹었어!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember the 'B-W' rule: Bear works, Wang wins.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant, sweating bear riding a tiny unicycle on a stage, while a man in a fancy silk robe (Mr. Wang) stands in the corner with a huge bag of gold coins, smiling at the audience.
Rhyme
곰은 재주, 왕은 배주 (The bear has the skill, the King/Wang has the ship/belly full of money).
Story
Once there was a bear who practiced dancing for 10 years. When he finally performed in the village, everyone cheered! But at the end of the day, the bear only got one small apple, while his manager, Mr. Wang, bought a whole new house with the coins the villagers threw. The bear realized: 'I did the tricks, but Wang got the money.'
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to find one news article today about a business or a celebrity and see if you can apply this phrase to their situation. Write it down in your journal.
In Other Languages
One man sows and another reaps.
The Korean version specifically implies a 'manager' or 'middleman' figure (Wang-seobang).
Nadie sabe para quién trabaja.
The Spanish phrase is more about the uncertainty of the beneficiary, while the Korean one is about the visible unfairness.
Travailler pour le roi de Prusse.
The French version emphasizes the lack of payment, whereas the Korean one emphasizes someone else taking the payment.
Die Kastanien für jemanden aus dem Feuer holen.
The German idiom focuses on the danger/difficulty, while the Korean one focuses on the profit/money.
人の褌で相撲を取る (Hito no fundoshi de sumō o toru)
The Japanese version focuses on using someone else's 'tools,' while the Korean one focuses on the 'labor' of the bear.
يحرث في البحر (Yahruth fil bahr)
The Arabic phrase is about 'no reward,' while the Korean one is about 'wrong person getting the reward.'
为他人作嫁衣裳 (Wèi tārén zuò jiàyīshang)
The Chinese version is more poetic and gendered (wedding dress), while the Korean one is more gritty (circus bear).
Fazer o trabalho sujo.
The Portuguese version focuses on the 'unpleasantness' of the task, not necessarily the financial profit.
Easily Confused
Both involve animals and getting something.
This one is positive (killing two birds with one stone), while the bear proverb is negative (unfairness).
Both involve working hard for no personal gain.
The 'broken jar' phrase means the work is useless/impossible, while the 'bear' phrase means the work is useful but the reward is stolen.
よくある質問 (10)
No, it's a generic name for a Chinese merchant, similar to how 'John Doe' is used in English, but with a specific historical occupation implied.
Yes, but be careful. It sounds quite critical. Use it when discussing market unfairness, not when talking to your business partners.
Because of the history of bear circuses in East Asia where bears were trained to perform for human profit.
The term 'Wang-seobang' is generally considered a historical relic rather than a slur, but in a very sensitive modern context, some might find it stereotypical.
There isn't a direct opposite, but '심은 대로 거둔다' (You reap what you sow) represents a fair situation.
부려요 (present), 부렸어요 (past), 부릴 거예요 (future).
It's understandable, but '부리고' is the correct idiomatic verb. Using '하고' sounds like a learner's mistake.
Yes, especially when talking about YouTube algorithms or unfair work environments.
It means talent, skill, or a special trick that someone can do.
People sometimes just say '재주는 곰이 부리고...' and let the listener finish the sentence.
