손이 안 가다
soni an gada
Requires little effort
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use '손이 안 가다' to describe things that are effortless to manage or, conversely, things you don't feel like touching.
- Means: Literally 'the hand doesn't go,' meaning it requires zero effort.
- Used in: Describing easy-to-grow plants, simple recipes, or low-maintenance pets.
- Don't confuse: With '손을 떼다' (to quit/stop working on something).
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
Something that is easy to manage or does not require much attention.
Cultural Background
In the context of 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture, '손이 안 가다' is a high compliment for technology and services. Efficiency is king. Historically, a 'hand-made' (손수 만든) item was the highest form of respect. Using '손이 안 가다' for a gift might actually be an insult. A '손이 안 가는 부하 직원' (a junior who doesn't need much supervision) is the most desired type of employee in high-pressure Korean companies. Parents often brag about children who are '손이 안 간다' as a sign of the child's maturity and the parents' good upbringing.
The 'Interest' Nuance
If you want to say you're not interested in a movie or book, '손이 안 가다' makes you sound very natural and idiomatic.
Subject Markers
Always use '이' with '손'. Using '을' changes the meaning to 'I am not moving my hand' literally.
Meaning
Something that is easy to manage or does not require much attention.
The 'Interest' Nuance
If you want to say you're not interested in a movie or book, '손이 안 가다' makes you sound very natural and idiomatic.
Subject Markers
Always use '이' with '손'. Using '을' changes the meaning to 'I am not moving my hand' literally.
Business Efficiency
Use this in interviews to describe how you improved a process: '업무에 손이 덜 가게 프로세스를 개선했습니다.'
Complimenting Kids
Telling a Korean parent their child is '손이 안 가는 아이' is a huge compliment about the child's independence.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '손이 안 가다'.
이 선인장은 물을 자주 안 줘도 돼서 (____).
The context is a plant that is easy to care for, so '손이 안 가요' is correct.
Match the situation to the correct meaning of '손이 안 가다'.
Situation: '이 반찬은 너무 매워 보여서 손이 안 가요.'
In the context of food, it often means you don't feel like reaching for it.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 새로 산 로봇 청소기 어때? B: 진짜 좋아! (____).
A robot vacuum makes cleaning easier, so it requires less effort (손이 안 가).
Which sentence is grammatically correct and natural?
Choose one:
The subject marker '이' is required, and the adnominal form '가는' describes the noun '아이'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Effort vs. Reach
Things that are '손이 안 가는'
Plants
- • Cactus
- • Succulent
- • Plastic flowers
Appliances
- • Robot vacuum
- • Dishwasher
- • Air fryer
Pets
- • Cat
- • Hamster
- • Fish
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsNot always. For tasks and pets, it's positive (easy). For food or hobbies, it's often negative (unappealing).
Yes, but usually only for children or subordinates to mean they are independent. Using it for friends might sound cold.
'쉽다' just means easy. '손이 안 가다' specifically implies that it doesn't require ongoing care or maintenance.
The opposite is '손이 많이 가다'.
It's risky. It might imply they are 'easy' or that you don't put effort into the relationship. Better to avoid.
Yes, in reports about efficiency or automation, using the form '손이 가지 않다'.
No, it's an idiom for effort. Your hands might still move, but the work feels effortless.
No, but '발길이 안 가다' exists, meaning you don't feel like going to a certain place.
Very! You'll hear it often in family dramas when talking about kids or cooking.
Use '손이 안 닿다' instead.
Yes! A reliable car that doesn't break down is '손이 안 가는 차'.
No, it's a standard idiom used by all age groups.
손이 안 갔어요 (son-i an gat-seo-yo).
No, for a difficult person you would say '손이 많이 가는 사람'.
Related Phrases
손이 많이 가다
contrastTo require a lot of work/effort.
손을 떼다
similarTo pull one's hands away; to quit.
손에 익다
builds onTo become accustomed to a task.
손이 덜 가다
specialized formTo require less work than before.
손을 빌리다
similarTo borrow a hand; to get help.
Where to Use It
Buying a pet
A: 고양이 키우기 힘들지 않아?
B: 아니, 우리 고양이는 손이 안 가서 정말 편해.
At a buffet
A: 왜 저 고기는 안 먹어?
B: 질겨 보여서 그런지 별로 손이 안 가네.
Office workflow
Manager: 새 프로그램은 좀 어때요?
Staff: 자동화가 잘 돼서 예전보다 손이 훨씬 안 갑니다.
Gardening
A: 식물 초보자한테 뭐가 좋을까요?
B: 손이 안 가는 선인장부터 시작해 보세요.
Parenting
A: 애기 키우느라 힘들지?
B: 우리 애는 혼자 잘 놀아서 손이 안 가는 편이야.
Fashion/Shopping
A: 이 셔츠 살까?
B: 그거 다림질해야 돼서 손이 많이 갈 텐데? 손 안 가는 티셔츠 사.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Lazy Hand'. If your hand is lazy and doesn't want to move, the task must be very easy!
Visual Association
Imagine a robot doing all your chores while you sit on a sofa. Your hands are resting in your lap because they 'don't need to go' anywhere.
Rhyme
손이 안 가, 걱정 마 (Son-i an ga, geok-jeong ma) - It's no work, don't worry.
Story
You buy a new 'smart' plant. You wait for it to ask for water, but it never does. You tell your friend, 'My hand never goes to it!' because it takes care of itself.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe three things in your room today that are '손이 안 가는 것들' (low-maintenance things).
In Other Languages
No requiere mucho esfuerzo
Korean focuses on the 'hand' as the tool of labor.
Ça ne demande pas beaucoup d'entretien
French separates the 'maintenance' and 'unappealing' senses into different phrases.
Pflegeleicht
German is more of a compound adjective than a verbal idiom.
手がかからない
The verb 'kakaru' (to take/hang) is used instead of 'gada' (to go).
لا يحتاج إلى مجهود
Lacks the body-part metaphor for maintenance.
省心
Chinese focuses on the 'heart' (mental worry), while Korean focuses on the 'hand' (physical labor).
Low maintenance
English is more technical/mechanical in its metaphor.
Dá pouco trabalho
Focuses on the 'output' of work rather than the 'input' of hands.
Easily Confused
Both involve the hand not reaching something.
Use '닿다' for physical distance (e.g., a high shelf). Use '가다' for effort or interest.
Both mean not touching something.
'손을 안 대다' is a deliberate choice not to touch or start something. '손이 안 가다' is about the nature of the task or a lack of attraction.
FAQ (14)
Not always. For tasks and pets, it's positive (easy). For food or hobbies, it's often negative (unappealing).
Yes, but usually only for children or subordinates to mean they are independent. Using it for friends might sound cold.
'쉽다' just means easy. '손이 안 가다' specifically implies that it doesn't require ongoing care or maintenance.
The opposite is '손이 많이 가다'.
It's risky. It might imply they are 'easy' or that you don't put effort into the relationship. Better to avoid.
Yes, in reports about efficiency or automation, using the form '손이 가지 않다'.
No, it's an idiom for effort. Your hands might still move, but the work feels effortless.
No, but '발길이 안 가다' exists, meaning you don't feel like going to a certain place.
Very! You'll hear it often in family dramas when talking about kids or cooking.
Use '손이 안 닿다' instead.
Yes! A reliable car that doesn't break down is '손이 안 가는 차'.
No, it's a standard idiom used by all age groups.
손이 안 갔어요 (son-i an gat-seo-yo).
No, for a difficult person you would say '손이 많이 가는 사람'.
