Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase when a word or expression becomes so familiar that you say it without thinking.
- Means: To become a habit or easy to say through repetition.
- Used in: Learning languages, practicing scripts, or picking up slang.
- Don't confuse: With having food stuck in your mouth literally.
Explicação no seu nível:
Significado
For a word or phrase to become habitual or easy to say.
Contexto cultural
In Korea, the concept of 'Cheon-myeon' (face) is important. Being able to speak smoothly and politely is a sign of good upbringing. Therefore, making polite phrases 'stick to the mouth' is a common goal for young children and learners alike. K-pop songwriters intentionally create 'hook songs' with repetitive lyrics. Fans often use the phrase '입에 붙다' to describe these catchy parts that they find themselves humming all day. New employees are often overwhelmed by 'Konglish' (Korean-English) business terms. Seniors will tell them that once these terms 'stick to their mouth,' they will feel like a real part of the team. Historically, Korean students learned Chinese characters by chanting them aloud (Seodang culture). The goal was to have the classics 'stick to the mouth' so they could be recited from memory during civil service exams.
Shadowing is Key
To make a phrase 'stick to your mouth,' try shadowing (repeating immediately after a native speaker). It builds the muscle memory this phrase describes.
Watch for Bad Habits
Be careful with 'slang' or 'fillers' like '진짜' or '막'. They stick to the mouth very easily but can sound unprofessional if used too much.
Shadowing is Key
To make a phrase 'stick to your mouth,' try shadowing (repeating immediately after a native speaker). It builds the muscle memory this phrase describes.
Watch for Bad Habits
Be careful with 'slang' or 'fillers' like '진짜' or '막'. They stick to the mouth very easily but can sound unprofessional if used too much.
The 'Chak-chak' Effect
Adding '착착' (chak-chak) before '붙다' makes you sound much more like a native speaker when talking about catchy things.
Use it for Names
If you keep forgetting a new colleague's name, tell them: '이름이 아직 입에 안 붙어서 죄송해요' (I'm sorry, your name hasn't stuck to my mouth yet). It's a very polite way to apologize.
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '입에 붙다'.
매일 연습했더니 이제 한국어 인사가 ( ).
When a greeting becomes natural through practice, we say it 'stuck to the mouth'.
Which situation best describes '입에 붙다'?
Which of these people would say '입에 붙었어요'?
'입에 붙다' refers to speech becoming natural and habitual.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 이 노래 가사 다 외웠어? 나: 응, 하도 많이 들어서 이제 ( ).
'착착' adds emphasis to how well the lyrics have become a habit.
Choose the most natural sentence.
Which sentence is correct?
It's common to warn people against letting bad language become a habit.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
입에 붙다 vs 입에 맞다
Banco de exercicios
5 exercicios매일 연습했더니 이제 한국어 인사가 ( ).
When a greeting becomes natural through practice, we say it 'stuck to the mouth'.
Which of these people would say '입에 붙었어요'?
'입에 붙다' refers to speech becoming natural and habitual.
가: 이 노래 가사 다 외웠어? 나: 응, 하도 많이 들어서 이제 ( ).
'착착' adds emphasis to how well the lyrics have become a habit.
Which sentence is correct?
It's common to warn people against letting bad language become a habit.
🎉 Pontuação: /5
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasYes, but it's literal then. For example, '밥풀이 입에 붙었어요' (A grain of rice stuck to my mouth). Context usually makes it clear.
Yes, it's neutral. You can say a certain technical term hasn't 'stuck' yet.
'입에 붙다' emphasizes the habit/automaticity, while '입에 익다' emphasizes familiarity/comfort. They are 90% interchangeable.
No, it's specifically for spoken language. For writing, you would say '손에 익다' (familiar to the hand/typing) or just '익숙하다'.
Not necessarily. It can be used for bad habits like swearing or using too much slang.
You can say '입에 붙기 시작했어요'.
Yes! If the lyrics are easy to sing, you say '가사가 입에 붙어요'.
Only if you are talking about *speaking* the grammar. If you just understand it in your head, it hasn't 'stuck to your mouth' yet.
There isn't a single idiom, but you can say '입에 안 붙다' or '말이 꼬이다' (to be tongue-tied).
Yes, it is a standard Korean expression used across the peninsula.
Usually, we say '입에서 맴돌다' (hovering around the mouth) when you can't quite remember a word you once knew.
It is always '입에' (to the mouth) because '붙다' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to stick to'.
Frases relacionadas
입에 익다
similarTo be familiar to the mouth.
입에 오르내리다
relatedTo be talked about by many people.
입을 맞추다
contrastTo coordinate stories or to kiss.
손에 익다
builds onTo become skilled at a manual task.
귀에 익다
similarTo sound familiar.
Onde usar
Language Class
Teacher: 이 문장 발음이 어때요? 어렵나요?
Student: 네, 아직 입에 잘 안 붙어요. 더 연습해야겠어요.
Catching a Slang Habit
Friend A: 너 요즘 '대박'이라는 말을 진짜 자주 쓴다?
Friend B: 그러게, 나도 모르게 입에 붙었나 봐.
Job Interview Prep
Applicant: 자기소개를 입에 붙을 때까지 외웠어요.
Mentor: 좋아요. 그러면 긴장해도 자연스럽게 나올 거예요.
Karaoke (Noraebang)
Friend A: 이 노래 랩 파트 진짜 빠르다!
Friend B: 난 매일 들어서 가사가 입에 착착 붙어.
New Workplace Jargon
New Employee: 회사 용어들이 너무 생소해요.
Senior: 한 달만 지나면 다 입에 붙을 테니 걱정 마세요.
Acting Rehearsal
Director: 대사가 너무 딱딱해요. 더 자연스럽게 해보세요.
Actor: 죄송합니다. 아직 대사가 입에 안 붙어서요.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of your favorite words as 'stickers'. Once you use them enough, they stick to your mouth (입) and stay there forever!
Associação visual
Imagine a small, friendly honeybee putting a drop of honey on a word and then sticking it right onto your lips. Now, every time you open your mouth, that word pops out first.
Rhyme
말이 입에 붙으면, 실력이 늘어나면! (When words stick to the mouth, your skills grow!)
Story
Min-su was terrified of saying '안녕하세요' to his neighbors. He practiced it 100 times while brushing his teeth. On the 101st time, he didn't even have to try—the greeting just 'stuck' to his mouth and flew out naturally when he saw his neighbor.
In Other Languages
In English, we say something 'rolls off the tongue.' In Japanese, they use '口に馴染む' (to become familiar to the mouth). Both emphasize the physical ease of speaking.
Word Web
Desafio
Pick one Korean sentence today (e.g., '오늘 날씨가 좋네요'). Say it 20 times throughout the day until it 'sticks' to your mouth without you having to think about the grammar.
Review this phrase after 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week. Each time, try to name one new Korean word that has recently 'stuck' to your mouth.
Pronúncia
The 'p' sound (ㅂ) moves to the next syllable because of the vowel 'e'.
The 't' sound (ㅌ) followed by 'd' (ㄷ) creates a double 't' sound.
Espectro de formalidade
이제 존댓말이 제 입에 붙었습니다. (Discussing language progress)
이제 존댓말이 입에 붙었어요. (Discussing language progress)
이제 존댓말이 입에 붙었어. (Discussing language progress)
존댓말 패치 완료! 입에 착착 붙네. (Discussing language progress)
The phrase uses the native Korean words '입' (mouth) and '붙다' (to stick). It likely evolved from the observation of physical habits—just as a physical object sticks to a surface, a repeated word 'sticks' to the muscles of the mouth.
Curiosidade
There is a similar phrase '입에 발린 소리' (words rubbed on the lips), but it means 'lip service' or insincere flattery. Don't mix them up!
Notas culturais
In Korea, the concept of 'Cheon-myeon' (face) is important. Being able to speak smoothly and politely is a sign of good upbringing. Therefore, making polite phrases 'stick to the mouth' is a common goal for young children and learners alike.
“어른을 보면 '안녕하세요'가 입에 붙어야 한다. (Greetings must stick to your mouth when you see elders.)”
K-pop songwriters intentionally create 'hook songs' with repetitive lyrics. Fans often use the phrase '입에 붙다' to describe these catchy parts that they find themselves humming all day.
“이번 신곡 후렴구가 입에 착착 붙네요. (The chorus of this new song sticks perfectly to my mouth.)”
New employees are often overwhelmed by 'Konglish' (Korean-English) business terms. Seniors will tell them that once these terms 'stick to their mouth,' they will feel like a real part of the team.
“컨펌, 피드백 같은 단어들이 곧 입에 붙을 거예요. (Words like 'confirm' and 'feedback' will soon stick to your mouth.)”
Historically, Korean students learned Chinese characters by chanting them aloud (Seodang culture). The goal was to have the classics 'stick to the mouth' so they could be recited from memory during civil service exams.
“천자문을 입에 붙을 때까지 읽었다. (I read the Thousand Character Classic until it stuck to my mouth.)”
Iniciadores de conversa
요즘 한국어 공부하면서 어떤 표현이 가장 입에 붙었어요?
친구의 말투 중에서 닮고 싶거나 입에 붙은 게 있나요?
외국어를 배울 때 문장을 입에 붙게 만드는 본인만의 비결이 있나요?
Erros comuns
이 피자가 입에 붙어요.
이 피자가 입에 맞아요.
L1 Interference
그 단어를 입에 붙였어요.
그 단어가 입에 붙었어요.
L1 Interference
머리에 붙었어요.
입에 붙었어요.
L1 Interference
입에 붙는 단어를 먹었어요.
입에 붙는 단어를 말했어요.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Rolls off the tongue
English focuses on the sound; Korean focuses on the habit.
口に馴染む (Kuchi ni najimu)
Japanese 'najimu' is broader and can apply to physical objects.
朗朗上口 (Lǎng lǎng shàng kǒu)
Chinese is mostly for rhythmic or literary texts.
Salirle a uno de forma natural
Spanish lacks the 'physical adhesion' metaphor.
Avoir le mot à la bouche
French implies frequency, but not necessarily the 'ease' of pronunciation.
Jemandem flüssig über die Lippen gehen
German uses 'lips' and 'fluidity' instead of 'mouth' and 'stickiness'.
على لسانه (Ala lisanihi)
Arabic uses 'tongue' and 'position' rather than 'sticking'.
Estar na ponta da língua
Portuguese can also mean you've forgotten the word temporarily.
Spotted in the Real World
“그 별명이 입에 착착 붙네!”
When a member gets a new, funny nickname that is very easy to say.
“가사가 입에 붙어서 계속 부르게 돼요.”
Fans discussing how the 'DDU-DU DDU-DU' hook is addictive.
“제시카 외동딸 일리노이 시카고...”
The famous 'Jessica Jingle' was designed to 'stick to the mouth' so the characters wouldn't forget their lies.
Fácil de confundir
Both involve the mouth and a positive state.
Use '맞다' for food/taste and '붙다' for words/speaking.
Both imply something on the surface of the mouth.
'발리다' is for insincere sweet talk; '붙다' is for natural habits.
Perguntas frequentes (12)
Yes, but it's literal then. For example, '밥풀이 입에 붙었어요' (A grain of rice stuck to my mouth). Context usually makes it clear.
basic understandingYes, it's neutral. You can say a certain technical term hasn't 'stuck' yet.
usage contexts'입에 붙다' emphasizes the habit/automaticity, while '입에 익다' emphasizes familiarity/comfort. They are 90% interchangeable.
comparisonsNo, it's specifically for spoken language. For writing, you would say '손에 익다' (familiar to the hand/typing) or just '익숙하다'.
usage contextsNot necessarily. It can be used for bad habits like swearing or using too much slang.
basic understandingYou can say '입에 붙기 시작했어요'.
grammar mechanicsYes! If the lyrics are easy to sing, you say '가사가 입에 붙어요'.
practical tipsOnly if you are talking about *speaking* the grammar. If you just understand it in your head, it hasn't 'stuck to your mouth' yet.
basic understandingThere isn't a single idiom, but you can say '입에 안 붙다' or '말이 꼬이다' (to be tongue-tied).
comparisonsYes, it is a standard Korean expression used across the peninsula.
cultural usageUsually, we say '입에서 맴돌다' (hovering around the mouth) when you can't quite remember a word you once knew.
comparisonsIt is always '입에' (to the mouth) because '붙다' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to stick to'.
grammar mechanics
