Meaning
To be reluctant to leave a place or a person, feeling attached.
Cultural Background
The idiom is a linguistic expression of 'Jeong' ({정|情}). In Korea, a quick departure can be seen as cold. Using this phrase shows you value the relationship. This phrase is a staple in romantic K-dramas. It's often used during 'airport scenes' or 'bus stop goodbyes' to heighten the emotional stakes. When resigning, saying '발이 안 떨어집니다' to your boss or team is a polite way to show that you enjoyed working there and will miss them. Korean parents often use this when leaving children at daycare or with grandparents, reflecting the high level of parental attachment in the culture.
Use with '-려니'
Pairing this with '-려니' (when about to) is the most natural way to use it in conversation.
Don't use for 'tired'
If your legs are tired, say '다리가 아파요' or '힘들어요', not this idiom.
Meaning
To be reluctant to leave a place or a person, feeling attached.
Use with '-려니'
Pairing this with '-려니' (when about to) is the most natural way to use it in conversation.
Don't use for 'tired'
If your legs are tired, say '다리가 아파요' or '힘들어요', not this idiom.
Show your 'Jeong'
Using this phrase when leaving a Korean friend's house is a high-level way to show you care about them.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence using the correct form of '발이 안 떨어지다'.
부모님을 시골에 혼자 두고 오려니 ( ).
The idiom for being reluctant to leave is '발이 안 떨어지다'.
In which situation is it MOST natural to use '발이 안 떨어지다'?
Select the best scenario:
This idiom is for emotional reluctance to leave, not physical difficulty.
Choose the most natural response for Speaker B.
A: 벌써 가야 해? 조금만 더 있다 가. B: 나도 ( )만, 내일 일찍 일이 있어서 가야 해.
'-지만' (but) is needed here to show the contrast between wanting to stay and having to leave.
Which sentence is grammatically correct and natural?
Choose one:
'발이' (subject particle) is correct, and '-는 모양이다' is the standard pattern for 'it seems'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises부모님을 시골에 혼자 두고 오려니 ( ).
The idiom for being reluctant to leave is '발이 안 떨어지다'.
Select the best scenario:
This idiom is for emotional reluctance to leave, not physical difficulty.
A: 벌써 가야 해? 조금만 더 있다 가. B: 나도 ( )만, 내일 일찍 일이 있어서 가야 해.
'-지만' (but) is needed here to show the contrast between wanting to stay and having to leave.
Choose one:
'발이' (subject particle) is correct, and '-는 모양이다' is the standard pattern for 'it seems'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly yes, but it can be used for very happy situations where you don't want the fun to end.
No, this idiom is fixed to '발' (feet). You can't say '손이 안 떨어지다'.
'안 떨어지다' is more common in speech, while '떨어지지 않다' is more formal or literary.
No, that would be '발길이 떨어지지 않다' in a sense of dread, but usually we use '무섭다' or '망설여지다'.
Yes, it is a very polite and emotional way to express regret about leaving.
Use '발이 안 떨어졌어요'.
No, it's only for people being reluctant to leave.
No, it's 100% figurative in this context.
Not a direct one, but young people might just say '가기 싫어' (I don't want to go).
Yes, if you really loved the place, even a 2-day trip can make your feet 'not move'.
Related Phrases
발길이 떨어지지 않다
synonymOne's steps do not come off.
발걸음이 무겁다
similarOne's steps are heavy.
미련이 남다
builds onTo have lingering regret/attachment.
뒤를 돌아보다
similarTo look back.
차마 ~하지 못하다
specialized formTo not have the heart to do something.
