B1 Proverb 중립

Work smarter, not harder

Be efficient, not just busy.

It's better to find efficient ways to work than to simply put in more effort.

🌍

문화적 배경

Deeply embedded in corporate culture and the 'hustle' mindset. Traditionally valued 'hard work' (ganbaru), but modern offices are adopting this phrase to fight burnout. Values precision and planning, making this phrase very popular in engineering contexts. Used in professional settings, though sometimes with a hint of irony.

💡

Use it as a motto

Write this on a sticky note at your desk to remind yourself to pause and plan.

⚠️

Don't be condescending

Be careful when saying this to others; it can sound like you are calling them inefficient.

It's better to find efficient ways to work than to simply put in more effort.

💡

Use it as a motto

Write this on a sticky note at your desk to remind yourself to pause and plan.

⚠️

Don't be condescending

Be careful when saying this to others; it can sound like you are calling them inefficient.

🎯

Pair it with tools

Whenever you use this phrase, mention a specific tool or method you are using.

💬

Modern usage

It is very common in tech and startup environments.

셀프 테스트

Complete the phrase.

Work _____, not harder.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: smarter

The standard idiom is 'Work smarter, not harder'.

Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?

Choose the best option.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: I am working smarter, not harder.

The comparative form 'smarter' is the correct idiomatic choice.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'I'm exhausted from doing this manually.' B: 'You should ____.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: work smarter, not harder

The phrase is the perfect advice for someone who is exhausted from manual work.

Match the situation to the phrase.

You see a colleague struggling with a complex task. What do you say?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Work smarter, not harder.

This is the most helpful and idiomatic advice for the situation.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Complete the phrase. Fill Blank A1

Work _____, not harder.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: smarter

The standard idiom is 'Work smarter, not harder'.

Which sentence uses the phrase correctly? Choose B1

Choose the best option.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: I am working smarter, not harder.

The comparative form 'smarter' is the correct idiomatic choice.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B2

A: 'I'm exhausted from doing this manually.' B: 'You should ____.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: work smarter, not harder

The phrase is the perfect advice for someone who is exhausted from manual work.

Match the situation to the phrase. situation_matching B1

You see a colleague struggling with a complex task. What do you say?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Work smarter, not harder.

This is the most helpful and idiomatic advice for the situation.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

12 질문

Yes, it can be. It's better to say, 'I've found a more efficient way to handle this.'

Only if you are writing about productivity or business management.

In English, one-syllable adjectives usually take the -er suffix.

No, it means you should get more done with the same amount of effort.

Yes, 'Trabajar con inteligencia, no con fuerza'.

Work SMAR-ter, not HAR-der.

It is neutral and widely accepted in professional settings.

Yes, if there is a tool or technique that makes the task easier.

Explain that you are focusing on high-impact results.

It is considered a modern proverb or a business aphorism.

Yes, it's very common in casual advice.

Only if used to dismiss someone's hard work.

관련 표현

🔗

Work-life balance

similar

Maintaining a healthy split between work and personal time.

🔗

The 80/20 rule

builds on

80% of results come from 20% of effort.

🔗

Burn the candle at both ends

contrast

Working too hard and exhausting oneself.

🔗

Grind culture

contrast

The belief that constant work is the only way to succeed.

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