Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use '콧대가 높다' to describe someone who is arrogant, snobbish, or acts superior to others.
- Means: To be proud, haughty, or condescending toward others.
- Used in: Describing snobbish people or someone who rejects others easily.
- Don't confuse: It is not about physical nose size, but social attitude.
あなたのレベルに合った解説：
意味
To be proud and condescending, looking down on others.
文化的背景
In Korea, humility is a core virtue. Calling someone '콧대가 높다' is a way to socially sanction them for breaking this norm. Similar to 'looking down one's nose,' this idiom reflects a universal human tendency to associate physical height with social status. Be careful! In Japanese, '鼻が高い' is a compliment (pride in a good way), whereas in Korean, it is an insult. The nose is a central symbol of pride and honor in many Middle Eastern cultures, making the 'nose in the sky' metaphor very common.
Context is Key
Always check if you are talking about beauty or attitude before using this phrase.
Don't be Rude
This is a negative label. Don't use it to describe someone you want to be friends with.
Context is Key
Always check if you are talking about beauty or attitude before using this phrase.
Don't be Rude
This is a negative label. Don't use it to describe someone you want to be friends with.
Humility First
Remember that Korean culture values modesty; this phrase is a strong critique of someone who lacks it.
自分をテスト
Fill in the blank with the correct form.
그는 인기가 많아지더니 ___________.
When someone becomes popular, they often become arrogant (콧대가 높아지다).
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the sentence that correctly uses the idiom.
Arrogant people are often isolated because they are difficult to approach.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 쟤 왜 저렇게 잘난 척해? B: ___________.
This confirms that the person has always been arrogant.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Someone who thinks they are better than everyone else.
The definition of the idiom is to be arrogant or condescending.
🎉 スコア： /4
ビジュアル学習ツール
練習問題バンク
5 問題그는 인기가 많아지더니 ___________.
When someone becomes popular, they often become arrogant (콧대가 높아지다).
Choose the sentence that correctly uses the idiom.
Arrogant people are often isolated because they are difficult to approach.
A: 쟤 왜 저렇게 잘난 척해? B: ___________.
This confirms that the person has always been arrogant.
Someone who thinks they are better than everyone else.
The definition of the idiom is to be arrogant or condescending.
🎉 スコア： /5
よくある質問
12 問Yes, it is almost always used to criticize someone's arrogance.
Only if you are gossiping with a close friend. Never say it to your boss.
'콧대가 높다' is an idiom, while '오만하다' is a formal adjective.
You use the phrase '콧대를 꺾다'.
No, it has nothing to do with height.
Because the nose bridge is the most prominent part of the face.
No, that is not a standard phrase.
Only in informal discussions about competitors or difficult partners.
Then you say '코가 높다' (physical beauty).
Yes, very common when a character is being a snob.
Yes, if the company is being difficult or arrogant.
No, it can be used for anyone.
関連フレーズ
콧대를 꺾다
contrastTo humble someone
잘난 척하다
similarTo act superior
콧대가 세다
similarTo be stubborn/proud
오만하다
similarTo be arrogant
どこで使う？
Gossip about a celebrity
A: 그 배우 요즘 왜 그래?
B: 인기 좀 얻더니 콧대가 너무 높아졌어.
Dating advice
A: 그 사람한테 고백할까?
B: 아니, 콧대가 높아서 거절할걸?
Workplace complaint
A: 새로 온 팀장님 어때?
B: 콧대가 높아서 의견을 안 들어줘.
Describing a snob
A: 왜 쟤랑 안 놀아?
B: 쟤는 콧대가 너무 높아서 같이 있으면 피곤해.
Humble brag
A: 나 이번에 대기업 합격했어!
B: 오, 이제 콧대 좀 높아지겠는데?
Reflecting on change
A: 그 친구 예전엔 안 그랬는데.
B: 성공하고 나서 콧대가 많이 높아졌지.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Imagine a person with a nose so high they can't even see the ground—they are looking down on everyone!
視覚的連想
A person walking with their chin pointed at the ceiling, ignoring everyone around them.
Story
Min-su was a kind student. But after he won the national contest, he changed. He started walking with his nose in the air. His friends whispered, 'Min-su's nose has become very high (콧대가 높아졌어).' He stopped saying hello to his old friends.
In Other Languages
English: 'To look down one's nose at someone.' French: 'Avoir le nez en l'air' (to have one's nose in the air).
Word Web
チャレンジ
For one day, observe people in movies or dramas and identify who acts like they have a 'high nose.'
Review in 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month.
発音
The 't' sound is followed by a tense 'd' sound.
The 'p' sound is followed by a tense 't' sound.
フォーマル度スペクトル
그분은 콧대가 높으십니다. (Describing a snobbish person)
그 사람은 콧대가 높아요. (Describing a snobbish person)
걔는 콧대가 높아. (Describing a snobbish person)
걔 완전 재수 없어. (Describing a snobbish person)
The phrase originates from the observation of human posture. When people feel superior, they naturally tilt their heads back, which makes their nose bridge (콧대) appear higher and more prominent to the observer.
豆知識
In the past, a high nose was considered a sign of beauty, but the idiom specifically focuses on the negative attitude associated with the posture.
文化メモ
In Korea, humility is a core virtue. Calling someone '콧대가 높다' is a way to socially sanction them for breaking this norm.
“그 사람은 콧대가 너무 높아서 같이 일하기 힘들어요.”
Similar to 'looking down one's nose,' this idiom reflects a universal human tendency to associate physical height with social status.
“He looks down his nose at everyone.”
Be careful! In Japanese, '鼻が高い' is a compliment (pride in a good way), whereas in Korean, it is an insult.
“한국어와 일본어의 차이를 주의하세요.”
The nose is a central symbol of pride and honor in many Middle Eastern cultures, making the 'nose in the sky' metaphor very common.
“أنفه في السماء (His nose is in the sky).”
会話のきっかけ
요즘 연예인 중에 콧대가 높은 사람이 누구라고 생각해요?
성공하면 콧대가 높아지는 게 당연할까요?
콧대가 높은 사람을 어떻게 대해야 할까요?
콧대가 높은 태도가 인간관계에 어떤 영향을 미칠까요?
よくある間違い
그는 콧대가 높아요 (when describing physical beauty).
그는 코가 높아요.
L1 Interference
나는 콧대가 높아요 (to say 'I am confident').
저는 자신감이 있어요.
L1 Interference
그녀는 콧대가 높게 행동해요.
그녀는 콧대가 높아요.
L1 Interference
그의 콧대를 높여주세요.
그의 콧대를 꺾어주세요.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Creerse la última coca-cola del desierto
Korean uses a physical body part metaphor; Spanish uses a consumer product metaphor.
Avoir la grosse tête
French focuses on the head size; Korean focuses on the nose bridge height.
Sich für etwas Besseres halten
German is a direct description of attitude; Korean is a figurative idiom.
鼻が高い (Hana ga takai)
The valence is opposite; Japanese is positive pride, Korean is negative arrogance.
أنفه في السماء (Anfuhu fi al-sama')
Arabic emphasizes the height of the nose; Korean emphasizes the bridge of the nose.
目中无人 (Mù zhōng wú rén)
Chinese focuses on the 'gaze' (not seeing others); Korean focuses on the 'nose' (looking down).
잘난 척하다
One is an action (pretending), the other is a state of being (arrogant).
Ter o nariz empinado
The usage is nearly identical in both cultures.
Spotted in the Real World
“그렇게 콧대가 높아서 어디 쓰겠어?”
A character criticizing the lead's arrogance.
間違えやすい
Learners often use this to describe attitude, but it is purely physical.
Use '코가 높다' for beauty, '콧대가 높다' for attitude.
Learners think this means 'humble', but it is not a standard idiom.
Use '겸손하다' for humble.
よくある質問 (12)
Yes, it is almost always used to criticize someone's arrogance.
basic understandingOnly if you are gossiping with a close friend. Never say it to your boss.
usage contexts'콧대가 높다' is an idiom, while '오만하다' is a formal adjective.
comparisonsYou use the phrase '콧대를 꺾다'.
practical tipsNo, it has nothing to do with height.
basic understandingBecause the nose bridge is the most prominent part of the face.
grammar mechanicsNo, that is not a standard phrase.
common mistakesOnly in informal discussions about competitors or difficult partners.
usage contextsThen you say '코가 높다' (physical beauty).
grammar mechanicsYes, very common when a character is being a snob.
cultural usageYes, if the company is being difficult or arrogant.
usage contextsNo, it can be used for anyone.
basic understanding
