Meaning
Meaning to have a wide range of acquaintances and social connections.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Inmaek' (인맥) is central to Korean life. Having 'wide feet' is often seen as a sign of high emotional intelligence and social status. Networking often happens over dinner and drinks (Hoesik). Someone who is '발이 넓다' is usually the one organizing these gatherings. Younger Koreans use social media to 'widen their feet' (발을 넓히다), leading to the rise of 'Influencer' culture which is a modern version of this idiom. In Korean universities, senior students (Sunbae) who are '발이 넓다' are highly respected for providing job tips and study materials to juniors.
Complimenting
Use this to compliment someone's social skills during a first meeting if you find out they know a mutual friend.
Don't overdo it
Calling someone a '마당발' too often might imply they are a busybody who doesn't focus on their own work.
Meaning
Meaning to have a wide range of acquaintances and social connections.
Complimenting
Use this to compliment someone's social skills during a first meeting if you find out they know a mutual friend.
Don't overdo it
Calling someone a '마당발' too often might imply they are a busybody who doesn't focus on their own work.
Active vs. Passive
Use '발이 넓다' to describe someone, but use '발을 넓히다' when you are talking about your own efforts to network.
Inmaek
Remember that in Korea, being 'well-connected' is often synonymous with being 'successful' or 'capable'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
제 친구는 학교에서 ( )기로 유명해서 모르는 사람이 없어요.
The pattern '-기로 유명하다' (famous for doing/being...) requires the noun form of the verb/adjective.
Which situation is most appropriate for using '발이 넓다'?
다음 중 '발이 넓다'를 쓰기에 가장 알맞은 상황은?
The idiom describes having a wide social network, not physical size or speed.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 이번 프로젝트를 도와줄 전문가를 찾고 있어. B: 그럼 민수한테 물어봐. 걔가 이 분야에서는 ( ).
'발이 넓다' is used here to suggest Minsu knows many experts who can help.
Match the phrase to its meaning.
Match '발이 넓다' with its figurative meaning.
It refers to social connections and acquaintances.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Wide Feet vs. Big Hands
Practice Bank
4 exercises제 친구는 학교에서 ( )기로 유명해서 모르는 사람이 없어요.
The pattern '-기로 유명하다' (famous for doing/being...) requires the noun form of the verb/adjective.
다음 중 '발이 넓다'를 쓰기에 가장 알맞은 상황은?
The idiom describes having a wide social network, not physical size or speed.
A: 이번 프로젝트를 도와줄 전문가를 찾고 있어. B: 그럼 민수한테 물어봐. 걔가 이 분야에서는 ( ).
'발이 넓다' is used here to suggest Minsu knows many experts who can help.
Match '발이 넓다' with its figurative meaning.
It refers to social connections and acquaintances.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsTechnically yes, but it's rare. Use '발볼이 넓다' for physical width to avoid confusion.
Yes, '마당발' is the noun form. '발이 넓다' is the descriptive phrase. They are interchangeable in meaning.
Mostly positive or neutral. It's a compliment for social skills, but can be slightly negative if the person is seen as superficial.
Use '발을 넓히고 싶어요' (I want to widen my feet/network).
Yes, it's increasingly used to describe people with large digital networks.
There isn't a direct idiom, but you can say '인맥이 좁다' (narrow connections) or '낯을 가리다' (to be shy).
Yes, if a child has many friends at school, you can say '우리 아이는 발이 넓어요'.
Often, yes. In a professional context, it implies they have access to resources and information.
Yes, this is a standard Korean idiom used across the peninsula.
'인싸' (insider) is slang for someone popular and trendy. '발이 넓다' specifically refers to the number of people they know.
Usually used for individuals, but you can say a company has '발이 넓다' if it has many partners.
Yes, in '넓다' you pronounce the 'ㄹ'. The 'ㅂ' is silent but makes the next sound tense.
Related Phrases
마당발
synonymA person with wide connections.
인맥이 좋다
similarTo have good connections.
낯을 가리다
contrastTo be shy with strangers.
발을 넓히다
builds onTo expand one's network.
