Meaning
To be tempted or attracted by a suggestion or offer, often a dubious one.
Cultural Background
In Korea's fast-paced society, 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture means people are always looking for the next big opportunity. This makes '솔깃한' offers a staple of daily conversation, especially regarding real estate and stock tips. In business, '솔깃하다' can be used to politely show interest in a proposal without fully committing. It signals that the terms are attractive enough to continue the discussion. Many Korean folk tales feature characters who get into trouble because their 'ears were thin' (귀가 얇다) and they were too '솔깃' to the words of a trickster, like a fox or a greedy neighbor. Korean advertisements frequently use '솔깃' in their copy to create a sense of 'don't miss out.' It's a key word in the vocabulary of Korean consumerism.
Use with '제안' (Proposal)
The most common noun to use with this is '제안'. '솔깃한 제안' is a set phrase in business and daily life.
Don't over-use
If you say '솔깃해요' to everything, people might think you are '귀가 얇다' (easily fooled).
Meaning
To be tempted or attracted by a suggestion or offer, often a dubious one.
Use with '제안' (Proposal)
The most common noun to use with this is '제안'. '솔깃한 제안' is a set phrase in business and daily life.
Don't over-use
If you say '솔깃해요' to everything, people might think you are '귀가 얇다' (easily fooled).
Reaction word
In a conversation, simply saying '오, 솔깃한데?' (Oh, that's tempting?) is a great way to show you are listening actively.
The 'Thin Ear' connection
Remember that being '솔깃' is a temporary state, but having 'thin ears' is a character flaw.
Test Yourself
Choose the most natural phrase to complete the sentence.
제주도 항공권이 만 원이라는 소리에 귀가 ( ).
A 10,000 won flight to Jeju is a very tempting offer, so '솔깃했다' is the correct idiomatic response.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '솔깃하다'.
그의 제안은 누구라도 [ ] 내용이었다.
The adjective must modify the noun '내용' (content), so the noun-modifying form '솔깃한' is required.
In which situation would you most likely use '귀가 솔깃하다'?
Which situation fits?
The phrase is used for tempting or attractive information.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
가: 이번 주말에 호텔 뷔페 공짜 티켓이 생겼는데 같이 갈래? 나: 공짜 뷔페? 와, 정말 ( )!
A free buffet is a tempting offer, making '귀가 솔깃하네' the perfect response.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ear Idioms Comparison
Practice Bank
4 exercises제주도 항공권이 만 원이라는 소리에 귀가 ( ).
A 10,000 won flight to Jeju is a very tempting offer, so '솔깃했다' is the correct idiomatic response.
그의 제안은 누구라도 [ ] 내용이었다.
The adjective must modify the noun '내용' (content), so the noun-modifying form '솔깃한' is required.
Which situation fits?
The phrase is used for tempting or attractive information.
가: 이번 주말에 호텔 뷔페 공짜 티켓이 생겼는데 같이 갈래? 나: 공짜 뷔페? 와, 정말 ( )!
A free buffet is a tempting offer, making '귀가 솔깃하네' the perfect response.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot really. If you say a person is '솔깃하다', it sounds like they are a 'tempting offer' rather than someone you have a crush on. Use '호감이 가다' for people.
Both are fine! '귀가 솔깃하다' (Ears are tempted) is slightly more common for personal feelings, while '귀에 솔깃하다' (Tempting to the ears) is often used for descriptions.
No, it's a standard idiom. You can use it with your boss or your grandmother.
There isn't a direct single-word opposite, but you could say '흥미가 없다' (no interest) or '심드렁하다' (to be indifferent).
Yes! If a melody is very catchy and attractive, you can say '귀에 솔깃한 멜로디'.
No, it's often positive! Like a good sale or a great vacation idea. But it *can* be used for scams.
You can say '솔깃하게 들리네요' or simply '솔깃한데요?'.
In essays or news articles, yes. In a strict legal contract, no.
By itself, it's an adverb/ideophone describing the state of perking up. It's rarely used alone without '하다'.
Yes, but in Korean, we often omit '내' (my) because it's obvious whose ears are perking up!
Related Phrases
귀가 얇다
similarTo be easily persuaded
마음이 움직이다
similarOne's heart is moved
눈이 번쩍 뜨이다
similarEyes open wide
구미가 당기다
similarTo have one's appetite whetted
한귀로 듣고 한귀로 흘리다
contrastIn one ear and out the other
