In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe someone who is brazen and shameless.
- Comes from the idea that shame cannot penetrate thick skin.
- Usually carries a negative, critical tone about someone's character.
- Commonly used when gossiping or venting about rude behavior.
Meaning
This phrase describes someone who is completely shameless or brazen. It implies they have a 'thick' layer on their face that prevents them from blushing or feeling the natural sting of embarrassment when they do something rude, selfish, or socially unacceptable.
Key Examples
3 of 10Gossiping about a coworker
그 사람은 실수를 하고도 사과도 안 해. 정말 얼굴이 두꺼워.
That person doesn't even apologize after making a mistake. Their face is really thick.
Reacting to a K-drama villain
와, 저 악역 진짜 얼굴 두껍네! 어떻게 저런 거짓말을 하지?
Wow, that villain is so shameless! How can they tell a lie like that?
Texting a friend about a 'freeloader'
돈도 안 내면서 제일 비싼 걸 시키다니, 얼굴이 참 두껍다.
Ordering the most expensive thing without paying... they are so shameless.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the deep-rooted Confucian value of `체면` (che-myeon) or 'face/honor.' In Korean society, maintaining one's social standing through proper etiquette and showing visible shame (blushing) when failing to do so is vital. A 'thick' face implies a disconnection from these social obligations, making it a significant character flaw. Historically, showing no physical sign of embarrassment was seen as a lack of a basic human conscience.
Don't use it for yourself!
Never say '저는 얼굴이 두꺼워요' to mean you're brave or resilient. It literally means 'I have no conscience and I'm rude.' Use '멘탈이 강해요' instead.
The 'Blush' Connection
In Korea, turning red is a sign of being a good person with a conscience. This phrase describes someone who physically CANNOT turn red because their skin is 'too thick'.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe someone who is brazen and shameless.
- Comes from the idea that shame cannot penetrate thick skin.
- Usually carries a negative, critical tone about someone's character.
- Commonly used when gossiping or venting about rude behavior.
What It Means
Have you ever met someone who does something totally cringey but doesn't even blink? That is exactly what 얼굴이 두껍다 describes. In Korean culture, having a 'thin' face means you are sensitive to social cues. You feel shame easily. You blush when you make a mistake. But a person with a 'thick' face? They are like a human tank. No matter how rude or selfish they act, they don't feel a thing. It is not about being brave. It is about lacking a 'shame filter.' Think of that friend who always 'forgets' their wallet at dinner. They keep doing it every single time. They know you know. Yet, they don't feel embarrassed at all. Their face is 'thick' enough to block out the awkwardness. It is a negative trait. You are calling someone out for being brazen. It is like saying they have no conscience.
Origin Story
The origin of this phrase is actually quite logical. It comes from the physical act of blushing. When humans feel shame, blood rushes to the face. This makes your skin turn red. It is a visible sign of your conscience working. In old folk wisdom, people imagined shame as a needle. If you have a 'thin' face, the needle pokes through easily. You feel the sting. You turn red. You apologize. However, some people seemed immune to this. People joked that these individuals had skin like leather. Their facial skin was so 'thick' that the needle of shame couldn't penetrate. They couldn't turn red because the blood was blocked. Over centuries, this became the standard way to describe a shameless person. It is similar to the English idea of being 'thick-skinned,' but much more negative. In English, 'thick-skinned' can be a compliment for a politician. In Korean, 얼굴이 두껍다 is almost always a criticism of someone's character.
How To Use It
You will mostly use this in the third person. You are describing someone else's behavior. The most common form is 얼굴이 진짜 두껍다. This means 'Their face is really thick.' You can also use it as an adjective before a noun. You would say 얼굴 두꺼운 사람. This means 'a thick-faced (shameless) person.' Grammatically, it is very simple. It follows the standard [Subject] + 이/가 + [Adjective] pattern. You can change the politeness level easily. For friends, use 얼굴이 두꺼워. For formal situations, use 얼굴이 두꺼워요. Be careful, though. Even with a polite ending, the meaning is still a bit harsh. It is like calling someone a 'shameless jerk' with a smile. It doesn't make the insult go away. Most people use it while gossiping about a third party. If you say it directly to someone, prepare for a fight! It is a direct attack on their integrity.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you are at a crowded café. Someone leaves their bag to save a seat. Another person moves the bag and sits down anyway. When the owner returns, the seat-stealer just ignores them. You would whisper, 와, 진짜 얼굴 두껍다. Or think about a group project in university. One student does zero work. Then, they show up to the presentation and take all the credit. That is a classic 얼굴 두꺼운 move. In the world of social media, think of an influencer. They get caught in a lie. Instead of apologizing, they post a sponsored ad the next day. The comments will be full of people calling them 'thick-faced.' Even in texting, if someone asks for a big favor after ignoring your messages for months, you might say this. It applies to any situation where someone ignores the 'unwritten rules' of being a decent human.
When To Use It
Use this when you are genuinely annoyed by someone’s brazenness. It is perfect for venting to your best friend about a rude coworker. Use it when someone repeatedly breaks social etiquette without any remorse. It works well when discussing celebrities or politicians who act unethically. If you are watching a K-drama and the villain is acting purely evil without guilt, this is the perfect time to shout it at the TV. It is a great 'venting' phrase. It captures that specific feeling of disbelief. You just can't believe someone could be so bold and rude at the same time. It is also common in office settings when someone is being a 'freeloader.' If they take all the office snacks home, their face is definitely thick. Just make sure the person isn't standing right behind you!
When NOT To Use It
Never use this to describe yourself as 'resilient.' If you say 'I have a thick face,' Koreans will think you are admitting to being a criminal! If you mean you can handle criticism, use 멘탈이 강하다 (strong mental) instead. Also, do not use it for people you respect. Even if they are being bold, this phrase is too insulting. Do not use it to describe someone who is just shy or quiet. It has nothing to do with being introverted. It is strictly about a lack of shame. Also, avoid using it in professional emails. If a client is being difficult, calling them 얼굴이 두껍다 will end your contract immediately. It is a 'backstage' phrase. Use it in private, not in public. Unless you are ready for some serious drama. It is not a 'light' joke; it carries some real weight.
Common Mistakes
✗ 저는 얼굴이 두꺼워요. (I am shameless/brazen.)
✓ 저는 멘탈이 강해요. (I am mentally strong/resilient.)
✗ 그는 용감해서 얼굴이 두꺼워요. (He is brave, so he is shameless.)
✓ 그는 용감해서 겁이 없어요. (He is brave, so he has no fear.)
A very common mistake is thinking this means 'brave' or 'courageous.' Being brave is a virtue. Being 'thick-faced' is a vice. Another mistake is using it for literal skin thickness. If you are talking about skincare or dermatological issues, this phrase will confuse everyone. It is purely idiomatic. Also, don't confuse it with 낯이 익다, which means 'to look familiar.' One means you've seen the face before. The other means the face is too bold. One 'thick' mistake can lead to a very awkward conversation at a party!
Similar Expressions
If you want to level up your insult game, try 철면피 (Cheol-myeon-pi). This literally means 'iron-faced.' It is the 'final boss' version of being shameless. While 'thick face' is like leather, 'iron face' is like a metal shield. Another one is 낯가죽이 두껍다. This is slightly more vulgar. It literally means 'the skin of the face is thick.' It sounds a bit more aggressive and salty. If you want something a bit softer, you can use 뻔뻔하다. This just means 'to be brazen.' It is an adjective that carries the same vibe but is a bit more direct and less 'colorful.' Using these variations depends on how much you want to emphasize the person's lack of conscience. 얼굴이 두껍다 is the most common and versatile one of the bunch.
Memory Trick
Think of a brick wall. A brick wall doesn't care if you yell at it. It doesn't care if you look at it. It has no feelings. Now, imagine someone glued a brick to their face. They are walking around with a 'brick face.' No matter how much people complain about them, the brick blocks all the shame. They can't feel the 'heat' of the social environment. Brick = Thick. Person = Shameless. Whenever you see someone being incredibly rude without caring, just picture that brick on their face. You will instantly remember 얼굴 (face) and 두껍다 (thick). It also helps to remember that 'thick' sounds like 'duck.' Imagine a rude duck that doesn't care about anything. A 'thick duck' face. Whatever works to keep that mental image of a literal barrier on the skin!
Quick FAQ
Is this a compliment? Absolutely not. It is a criticism of someone's moral character. Can I use it for my friends? Only if you are joking around very closely, but be careful. Is there a polite version? You can add 요 to make it 두꺼워요, but the meaning is still insulting. Does it mean 'thick' as in 'heavy makeup'? No, that is 화장이 진하다. Does it mean someone is 'thick-headed' or 'stupid'? No, it only refers to shame and brazenness. It has nothing to do with intelligence. Can I use it in a job interview? Only if you want to lose the job! It is strictly for informal or venting situations. Is it similar to 'thick-skinned' in English? In English, 'thick-skinned' can mean you don't take criticism personally (positive). In Korean, it almost always means you are rude and shameless (negative).
Usage Notes
This idiom is primarily used in informal or semi-formal settings to criticize a third party. It is considered an insult and should never be used toward a superior or in professional communication. Be careful not to use it to describe personal resilience, as it strictly denotes a lack of conscience.
Don't use it for yourself!
Never say '저는 얼굴이 두꺼워요' to mean you're brave or resilient. It literally means 'I have no conscience and I'm rude.' Use '멘탈이 강해요' instead.
The 'Blush' Connection
In Korea, turning red is a sign of being a good person with a conscience. This phrase describes someone who physically CANNOT turn red because their skin is 'too thick'.
Level up with 'Cheol-myeon-pi'
If someone is beyond just 'thick-faced,' call them '철면피' (Iron Face). It's much stronger and sounds like something a character in a historical drama would say.
Grammar Hack
You can use this as an adjective before people: '얼굴 두꺼운 사람'. It's a very common way to describe that one annoying person in the office.
Examples
10그 사람은 실수를 하고도 사과도 안 해. 정말 얼굴이 두꺼워.
That person doesn't even apologize after making a mistake. Their face is really thick.
Expressing frustration at a coworker's lack of accountability.
와, 저 악역 진짜 얼굴 두껍네! 어떻게 저런 거짓말을 하지?
Wow, that villain is so shameless! How can they tell a lie like that?
Using the phrase to react to a brazen character on screen.
돈도 안 내면서 제일 비싼 걸 시키다니, 얼굴이 참 두껍다.
Ordering the most expensive thing without paying... they are so shameless.
Commonly used for people who take advantage of others financially.
잘못을 인정 안 하는 걸 보니 얼굴이 참 두꺼우시네요.
Seeing how you don't admit your fault, you sure are shameless.
A sarcastic and critical comment in a digital space.
그 회사는 우리 아이디어를 베끼고도 당당하니 참 얼굴이 두껍군요.
That company is so brazen, acting proud even after stealing our idea.
A more formal but still highly critical usage.
남의 테이블 음식을 먹다니 얼굴이 정말 두꺼운 사람이네.
Eating food from someone else's table... they have a really thick face.
Used for extreme social faux pas.
✗ 저는 비판을 잘 견뎌서 얼굴이 두꺼워요. → ✓ 저는 멘탈이 강해서 비판을 잘 견뎌요.
✗ I have a thick face so I handle criticism well. → ✓ I have a strong mental so I handle criticism well.
Learners often confuse 'shameless' with 'thick-skinned/resilient'.
빌린 돈도 안 갚으면서 또 빌려달라니, 얼굴이 정말 두껍구나.
Asking for another loan when you haven't paid back the first... you are really shameless.
Directly addressing someone's brazen request.
팀장님 앞에서는 아부 떨고 뒤에서는 욕하다니, 얼굴 두꺼운 것 좀 봐.
Look at that thick face, flattering the manager to their face and cursing them behind their back.
Pointing out two-faced, shameless behavior.
✗ 그 선수는 용기가 있어서 얼굴이 두꺼워요. → ✓ 그 선수는 용기가 있어서 배짱이 두둑해요.
✗ That player has courage so they are shameless. → ✓ That player has courage so they have a lot of guts.
Don't use this idiom to describe positive 'guts' or 'boldness'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to complete the idiom meaning 'shameless'.
The idiom is `얼굴이 두껍다`. `얼굴` means face.
Which sentence is the correct way to say 'That person is shameless'?
Choose the most natural sentence.
`두껍다` (thick) is used to mean shameless, while `얇다` (thin) isn't used this way.
Find and fix the error in this sentence about a rude person.
`넓다` means wide. To mean shameless, you must use `두껍다` (thick).
Translate this sentence to English.
This is a common informal way to express disbelief at someone's brazen behavior.
Complete the sentence using the correct form of the idiom.
`얼굴 두꺼운` is the adjective form used to describe a person as 'shameless'.
Put the words in the correct order to say 'I can't believe how shameless they are.'
The typical order is Exclamation + Adverb + Subject + Predicate.
Find and fix the error. The speaker is trying to say someone is shameless.
`무겁다` (heavy) is used for things like 'heavy mouth' (keeping secrets), but shameless is `두껍다` (thick).
In which situation is it appropriate to use '얼굴이 두껍다'?
Select the correct context.
It is used specifically for brazen, shameless behavior that ignores social norms.
Translate the nuanced meaning into Korean.
This sentence perfectly captures the spirit of the idiom in a real-world context.
Fill in the blank with a related four-character idiom (Hanja) that means 'iron face'.
`철면피` (Iron-face-skin) is a formal synonym for `얼굴이 두껍다`.
Reorder to form a complex sentence about a shameless person.
This translates to 'Seeing them act so confidently, they are really shameless.'
Match the Korean phrase with its specific nuance.
Understanding the intensity of these synonyms is key for advanced learners.
🎉 Score: /12
Visual Learning Aids
How Rude is '얼굴이 두껍다'?
General brazenness (Neutral/Negative)
정말 뻔뻔하네.
Common critical idiom (Negative)
얼굴이 참 두꺼워요.
Extreme shamelessness (Highly Insulting)
그는 완전 철면피다.
When to say 'Your face is thick!'
The 'Forgetful' Friend
Never pays back borrowed money.
The Office Freeloader
Takes credit for your hard work.
The Line Cutter
Ignores the queue at the station.
The Social Media Liar
Caught in a fake 'honest' post.
The Uninvited Guest
Shows up and eats all the food.
Thick vs. Thin: The Face Scale
Degrees of Shamelessness
Everyday Usage
- • 얼굴이 두껍다
- • 뻔뻔하다
Stronger Terms
- • 낯가죽이 두껍다
- • 철면피
Formal/Academic
- • 후안무치
- • 인면수심
Practice Bank
12 exercises거짓말을 하고도 당당하다니 정말 ___이 두껍네요.
The idiom is `얼굴이 두껍다`. `얼굴` means face.
Choose the most natural sentence.
`두껍다` (thick) is used to mean shameless, while `얇다` (thin) isn't used this way.
Find and fix the mistake:
그는 너무 예의가 없어서 얼굴이 넓어요.
`넓다` means wide. To mean shameless, you must use `두껍다` (thick).
얼굴이 진짜 두껍네!
Hints: 진짜 (really), 두껍다 (thick)
This is a common informal way to express disbelief at someone's brazen behavior.
그렇게 ___ 사람과는 더 이상 이야기하고 싶지 않아.
`얼굴 두꺼운` is the adjective form used to describe a person as 'shameless'.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
Click words above to build the sentence
The typical order is Exclamation + Adverb + Subject + Predicate.
Find and fix the mistake:
그는 사과도 안 하는 얼굴이 무거운 사람이에요.
`무겁다` (heavy) is used for things like 'heavy mouth' (keeping secrets), but shameless is `두껍다` (thick).
Select the correct context.
It is used specifically for brazen, shameless behavior that ignores social norms.
He is so brazen that he asked for money again without paying back the old debt.
Hints: 갚다 (to pay back), 빌리다 (to borrow)
This sentence perfectly captures the spirit of the idiom in a real-world context.
그는 ___라 그런 비난에도 눈 하나 깜짝하지 않는다.
`철면피` (Iron-face-skin) is a formal synonym for `얼굴이 두껍다`.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
Click words above to build the sentence
This translates to 'Seeing them act so confidently, they are really shameless.'
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Understanding the intensity of these synonyms is key for advanced learners.
🎉 Score: /12
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
20 questionsNo, it is strictly negative. Unlike the English 'thick-skinned' which can mean resilient, the Korean phrase always implies a lack of shame or basic social decency. You should never use it as a compliment for someone's strength.
You should avoid that because it carries a connotation of being rude. If someone is bold in a positive way, like a brave athlete or speaker, use terms like 당당하다 (confident) or 배짱이 있다 (have guts) instead of calling their face thick.
They are very similar, but 뻔뻔하다 is a standard adjective while 얼굴이 두껍다 is an idiomatic expression. The idiom is slightly more descriptive and 'colorful,' often used in conversational venting to emphasize the physical imagery of a thick skin.
Absolutely not, as it is highly insulting to someone's character. Even if you use a polite ending like 요, calling a superior 'thick-faced' is a direct attack on their integrity and would likely result in disciplinary action or a ruined relationship.
No, it has zero connection to how a person actually looks or the size of their face. It is entirely about their behavior and moral character, so you don't need to worry about being misunderstood as commenting on someone's physical appearance or skincare.
Children can use it, but they usually learn it from adults venting about social situations. It is more common among adults who are navigating complex social etiquette in the workplace or community, where 'shameless' behavior is more frequently encountered and discussed.
If you say it directly to someone, it is a major provocation that will likely start an argument. It's essentially calling them a 'shameless jerk,' so it's best reserved for gossiping with trusted friends or reacting to situations where you don't mind the confrontation.
You can say 저는 그렇게 얼굴 두꺼운 사람이 아니에요. This is a common way to defend yourself if someone accuses you of being brazen or if you're about to ask for a favor and want to show you feel bad about it.
While not exactly slang, 철면피 (iron face) and 낯가죽이 두껍다 (face-hide is thick) are stronger, more aggressive variations. In modern internet slang, people might just use '개뻔뻔' (super brazen) to express the same level of shock at someone's shameless behavior.
Yes, it is very commonly used in the comments of news articles or YouTube videos about celebrities. When a public figure gets caught in a lie but continues to act like nothing happened, netizens will frequently call them 얼굴 두껍다 or 철면피.
The phrase itself stays the same because it describes the quality of 'the face' (as a concept). You would just change the subject, for example: 그 사람들은 정말 얼굴이 두꺼워요 (Those people are really shameless). The adjective 두껍다 remains consistent regardless of the number of people.
In East Asian cultures, 'face' represents your social reputation and honor. A 'thick' face implies you have a barrier that prevents you from feeling the social pressure that keeps people acting politely. It's a metaphor for someone who is 'disconnected' from social harmony.
In a formal speech or writing, you would use the four-character idiom 후안무치 (厚顔無恥). It uses the same 'thick face' concept but in a more academic and serious tone, often used by the media or in political criticisms to sound more professional.
Yes, 'brazen' is the closest English equivalent. It captures that sense of doing something wrong but acting 'proud' or 'bold' about it. Both the Korean idiom and the word 'brazen' focus on the lack of proper shame in a social context.
No, 'thick-headed' in English means slow to learn or stupid. 얼굴이 두껍다 has nothing to do with intelligence. If you want to say someone is slow to understand, you would use 머리가 나쁘다 or 눈치가 없다 (lacking social wit) instead.
No, it is standard Korean (Pyojun-eo) used all across South Korea. It is universally understood and is not associated with any specific province or city, making it a very safe idiom to use anywhere in the country as long as the context is right.
The opposite isn't exactly '얼굴이 얇다' (thin face), although that exists. Usually, people say 부끄러움을 많이 타다 (to be very shy/shameful) or 체면을 차리다 (to maintain one's honor/formality) to describe the opposite behavior of a shameless person.
Yes, it's very common to use it with emojis like 🤦♂️ or 🙄 to show your disbelief. For example: 와... 진짜 얼굴 두껍네 🤦♂️. This adds a modern, conversational tone to the idiom and makes it clear that you are frustrated or amused by someone's boldness.
Yes, if a salesperson keeps trying to sell you something even after you've said 'no' multiple times, you might describe them as 얼굴이 두껍다. It highlights their persistence that ignores your clear boundaries and social comfort.
No, 얼굴이 두껍다 is much more common. 낯가죽이 두껍다 sounds more aggressive and a bit 'rougher.' It's something you might say when you are really angry, whereas 얼굴이 두껍다 is the standard version used in most daily conversations.
Related Phrases
뻔뻔하다
synonymTo be brazen / shameless
This is the direct adjective form that covers the same behavioral meaning without the 'face' metaphor.
철면피
formal versionIron-faced (extremely shameless)
This is a stronger, more literary term used to describe someone with an 'iron' layer of shamelessness.
낯가죽이 두껍다
informal versionThe skin of the face is thick
This is a more vulgar and aggressive way to say the same thing, often used when venting in anger.
후안무치
formal versionThick-faced and without shame (Hanja)
This is an academic four-character idiom used in formal writing, news, or high-level political criticism.
체면을 차리다
antonymTo save face / act with dignity
This phrase describes the opposite behavior: acting with proper social etiquette and caring about one's reputation.
