Meaning
For people to cooperate effectively and harmoniously.
Cultural Background
In Korean corporate culture, 'team chemistry' is often prioritized over individual talent. Managers frequently use this phrase during performance reviews to encourage collective effort. Fans use this phrase to praise the 'synchronization rate' (동기화율) of their favorite groups. It's a key metric for a group's skill level. The phrase has roots in 'Pumasi' (exchange of labor). In a small village, if you didn't 'match hands and feet' with your neighbors, you couldn't survive the winter. In PC Bangs (gaming cafes), you'll hear teenagers shouting this when they win a team fight in games like Overwatch or LoL.
Add '척척' for emphasis
If you want to sound like a native, add '척척' (cheok-cheok) before '맞다'. It sounds very rhythmic and natural.
Don't use for romance
If you say you and your boyfriend 'match hands and feet', people might think you are a professional dance duo or business partners!
Meaning
For people to cooperate effectively and harmoniously.
Add '척척' for emphasis
If you want to sound like a native, add '척척' (cheok-cheok) before '맞다'. It sounds very rhythmic and natural.
Don't use for romance
If you say you and your boyfriend 'match hands and feet', people might think you are a professional dance duo or business partners!
Use '맞추다' for the process
When you are in the middle of a project and still learning how to work together, use '{손|手}{발|足}을 맞추는 중이에요' (We are in the process of getting in sync).
The 'Uri' (We) Factor
This phrase is a great way to build 'Jeong' (affection/bond) with Koreans. It emphasizes the 'we' over the 'I'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct particle and verb form.
우리 팀은 {손|手}{발|足}___ 잘 ___.
The subject particle '이' is used with the intransitive verb '맞다'.
Which situation best fits the phrase '{손|手}{발|足}이 {맞다|合}'?
Choose the best scenario:
The phrase describes two or more people cooperating effectively on a task.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
가: 어제 지수 씨랑 같이 일하는 거 어땠어요? 나: 너무 좋았어요. 처음인데도 ________________.
'척척 맞다' is a common way to express that teamwork was excellent.
Which sentence uses the active form '{손|手}{발|足}을 {맞추다|合}' correctly?
Select the correct sentence:
'{손|手}{발|足}을 맞추다' means to actively work on getting in sync with others.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
State vs. Action
Practice Bank
4 exercises우리 팀은 {손|手}{발|足}___ 잘 ___.
The subject particle '이' is used with the intransitive verb '맞다'.
Choose the best scenario:
The phrase describes two or more people cooperating effectively on a task.
가: 어제 지수 씨랑 같이 일하는 거 어땠어요? 나: 너무 좋았어요. 처음인데도 ________________.
'척척 맞다' is a common way to express that teamwork was excellent.
Select the correct sentence:
'{손|手}{발|足}을 맞추다' means to actively work on getting in sync with others.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, it is most commonly used for two people, but it can also be used for a whole team or group.
Yes, it's a polite and positive way to describe your working relationship. Just use the formal ending: '{손|手}{발|足}이 잘 맞습니다.'
'호흡이 맞다' (breaths match) is slightly more formal and often used for artistic or high-level professional contexts, while '{손|手}{발|足}이 맞다' is more common in everyday tasks.
No, that sounds very strange and literal. Always keep the phrase '{손|手}{발|足}이 {맞다|合}' as a single unit.
Younger people often use '케미가 좋다' (chemistry is good) or '합이 좋다' (the 'hap' or match is good).
No, it applies to any collaborative task, including writing a report, planning an event, or playing a video game.
Use the form '{손|手}{발|足}을 맞춰 보고 있어요.'
Only if you are performing a task with the animal, like a dog and its trainer in an agility competition.
Yes, it is a standard Korean idiom used across the peninsula.
You can use it sarcastically, but usually, it's a positive phrase. For bad deeds, people often use '한통속이다' (to be in cahoots).
Yes, it comes from the same root meaning 'to fit' or 'to be right'.
Yes, if you are talking about how they manage their household or raise children together.
Related Phrases
호흡이 {맞다|合}
synonymBreaths match
발을 {맞추다|合}
similarTo match steps
찰떡궁합
similarPerfect match (like sticky rice cakes)
{손|手}{발|足}이 안 {맞다|合}
contrastTo not be in sync
손을 {잡다|執}
builds onTo hold hands / To join forces
