Meaning
To listen attentively, often due to curiosity or surprise.
Cultural Background
In Korean webtoons, characters often have 'animal ears' drawn on their heads that pop up when they hear gossip. This is a literal visual of '귀를 쫑긋하다'. The phrase is often associated with 'Aegyo' (acting cute). A person might physically put their hands by their ears to mimic a rabbit while saying they are listening. Eavesdropping (엿듣다) is generally frowned upon, but '귀를 쫑긋하다' is a more lighthearted way to describe the natural human instinct to listen to interesting things. Many cultures use animal metaphors for listening (rabbits, dogs), showing a universal human observation of how animals react to sound.
Use with '세우다'
If you want to sound more active, use '귀를 쫑긋 세우다'. It sounds like you are making a real effort to hear.
Not for Sadness
Don't use this when someone is sharing their pain. It makes you look like you're enjoying the 'tea' (gossip) too much.
Meaning
To listen attentively, often due to curiosity or surprise.
Use with '세우다'
If you want to sound more active, use '귀를 쫑긋 세우다'. It sounds like you are making a real effort to hear.
Not for Sadness
Don't use this when someone is sharing their pain. It makes you look like you're enjoying the 'tea' (gossip) too much.
Animal vs. Human
For animals, it's literal. For humans, it's always figurative. Use it to add 'flavor' to your stories.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
옆집에서 맛있는 냄새와 함께 웃음소리가 들리자 나도 모르게 {耳|귀}를 (____).
When you hear laughter and want to know what's happening, you 'perk your ears' (쫑긋했다).
Which situation is most appropriate for '{耳|귀}를 쫑긋하다'?
어떤 상황에서 이 표현을 쓸까요?
You perk your ears when you hear exciting or interesting news.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 민수야, 선생님이 아까 뭐라고 하셨어? 나: 나도 잘 못 들었어. 우리 같이 (____) 들어보자.
To hear something better, you perk your ears.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises옆집에서 맛있는 냄새와 함께 웃음소리가 들리자 나도 모르게 {耳|귀}를 (____).
When you hear laughter and want to know what's happening, you 'perk your ears' (쫑긋했다).
어떤 상황에서 이 표현을 쓸까요?
You perk your ears when you hear exciting or interesting news.
가: 민수야, 선생님이 아까 뭐라고 하셨어? 나: 나도 잘 못 들었어. 우리 같이 (____) 들어보자.
To hear something better, you perk your ears.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes! If a song has a very interesting intro or a lyric you love, you can say you perked your ears.
Not inherently, but it implies you are being nosy. Use it with friends, but maybe not to your boss about their private life.
쫑긋 is the act of listening; 솔깃 is the feeling of being interested/tempted by what you hear.
Yes, especially in descriptive or narrative writing to show a character's reaction.
Related Phrases
{耳|귀}를 기울이다
similarTo lean one's ear / To listen carefully
{耳|귀}가 솔깃하다
similarTo be tempted by what one hears
{耳|귀}를 의심하다
contrastTo doubt one's ears
{耳|귀}에 익다
builds onTo sound familiar
