Phrase in 30 Seconds
Focus on one goal at a time to achieve true success instead of spreading yourself too thin.
- Means: Stick to one path to see results.
- Used in: Career advice, hobby encouragement, or academic counseling.
- Don't confuse: It doesn't mean you can't have hobbies; it's about primary focus.
Explicação no seu nível:
Significado
Focus intensely on one task to achieve success, rather than scattering efforts.
Contexto cultural
Reflects the 'Artisan Spirit' ({장인정신|匠人精神}). In Korea, people who spend their whole lives perfecting one thing (like a specific food or craft) are highly respected as 'Masters' ({명장|名匠}). In the modern 'Gig Economy,' this proverb is sometimes debated. Some say being a 'Generalist' is better than being a 'Specialist' (the one well). Similar to the concept of 'Kodawari' (uncompromising pursuit of perfection). Both cultures value the depth of knowledge over breadth. In Korean education, students are often encouraged to find one 'major' or 'specialty' early on, reflecting this proverb's influence.
Use for Encouragement
Use this when a friend is about to give up on a difficult task. It sounds supportive and wise.
Don't be too bossy
The '-라' ending is an imperative. Use it as a quote ('~라고 하잖아요') rather than a direct command to avoid sounding rude.
Use for Encouragement
Use this when a friend is about to give up on a difficult task. It sounds supportive and wise.
Don't be too bossy
The '-라' ending is an imperative. Use it as a quote ('~라고 하잖아요') rather than a direct command to avoid sounding rude.
The 'Artisan' Connection
Koreans love the idea of 'Mastery'. Mentioning this proverb in a business context shows you value long-term growth.
Teste-se
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
우물을 파도 ___ 우물___ 파라.
'한' (one) and '-만' (only) are the key components of this proverb.
Which situation best fits this proverb?
민수는 매달 새로운 취미를 시작하지만 금방 그만둡니다.
Minsu changes hobbies too often, so he needs advice about focus and persistence.
Choose the most natural response.
A: 한국어 공부가 너무 힘들어요. 그냥 포기하고 영어를 배울까요? B: _________________
B encourages A to stick with Korean using the proverb.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exercicios우물을 파도 ___ 우물___ 파라.
'한' (one) and '-만' (only) are the key components of this proverb.
민수는 매달 새로운 취미를 시작하지만 금방 그만둡니다.
Minsu changes hobbies too often, so he needs advice about focus and persistence.
A: 한국어 공부가 너무 힘들어요. 그냥 포기하고 영어를 배울까요? B: _________________
B encourages A to stick with Korean using the proverb.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
5 perguntasYes, but it's often debated. While elders still use it to encourage persistence, younger people often discuss the need to be 'multi-talented' in a fast-changing world.
Yes! If someone is dating many people at once and can't decide, a friend might jokingly say '한 우물만 파라' to tell them to pick one person.
There isn't a direct 'proverb' opposite, but the concept of 'N-job-ler' (N잡러) or 'Multi-potentialite' represents the opposite philosophy.
In old Korea, wells were the most important resource for a village. Digging one was the ultimate test of labor and commitment.
You can say '저는 이 분야에서 한 우물만 팠습니다' (I have dug only one well in this field).
Frases relacionadas
우물 안 개구리
similarA frog in a well.
낙숫물이 바위를 뚫는다
similarFalling drops of water pierce a rock.
시작이 반이다
contrastStarting is half the battle.
지성이면 감천이다
builds onSincerity moves heaven.
Onde usar
Career Advice
Junior: 선배님, 요즘 이 일이 저랑 안 맞는 것 같아요. 다른 일을 알아볼까요?
Senior: 아직 시작한 지 얼마 안 됐잖아요. 우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라고 했어요. 조금 더 버텨봐요.
Learning a Hobby
Friend A: 나 기타 배우다가 이제는 드럼 배우고 싶어.
Friend B: 야, 너 저번달엔 피아노 한다며? 우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라!
Job Interview
Interviewer: 본인의 가장 큰 장점은 무엇입니까?
Applicant: 저는 한 우물만 파는 끈기가 있습니다. 10년 동안 한 분야에서만 일해왔습니다.
Parenting
Child: 엄마, 나 축구 학원 그만두고 태권도 다닐래.
Mother: 우물을 파도 한 우물만 파야지. 축구 시작한 지 한 달밖에 안 됐어.
Business Meeting
CEO: 우리 회사는 여러 사업에 진출하기보다 핵심 기술 한 우물만 파겠습니다.
Investor: 좋은 전략입니다. 선택과 집중이 필요하죠.
Language Learning
Student: 한국어랑 일본어를 같이 배우면 어떨까요?
Teacher: 처음에는 한 우물만 파는 게 더 효율적일 수 있어요.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of 'One Well, One Water'. If you dig 10 wells, you get 0 water. If you dig 1 well deep, you get 100% water.
Associação visual
Imagine a man standing in a field with 10 tiny holes, looking thirsty. Next to him, a woman stands by one very deep hole, drinking a cold glass of water.
Rhyme
우물을 파도 (U-mul-eul pa-do), 한 우물만 파라 (Han u-mul-man pa-ra).
Story
A young apprentice wanted to be a potter, a painter, and a poet all at once. His master took him to a dry field and told him to dig for water. The boy dug three shallow holes and quit. The master dug in the first hole for three days until water gushed out. 'One well,' the master said, 'is enough to quench a lifetime of thirst.'
In Other Languages
English has 'A rolling stone gathers no moss' (though interpreted differently) and 'Jack of all trades, master of none.' Japanese has 'Three years on a stone' (persistence).
Word Web
Desafio
Try to explain your current main goal in Korean using this phrase to a language partner.
Review this phrase on day 1, 3, and 7. Focus on the particle '-만' and the imperative '-라'.
Pronúncia
The 'ㄹ' in '물' carries over to the '을'.
The 'ㅍ' is aspirated (strong puff of air).
Espectro de formalidade
우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라는 말이 있듯이, 한 분야에 매진하시기 바랍니다. (Giving advice about a career or hobby.)
우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라고 했어요. 너무 여러 가지 하지 마세요. (Giving advice about a career or hobby.)
야, 우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라! 하나만 제대로 해. (Giving advice about a career or hobby.)
한 우물만 파라니까? 딴짓 좀 그만해. (Giving advice about a career or hobby.)
The proverb originates from the practical difficulties of traditional agriculture and water management in Korea. Before modern plumbing, digging a well was a communal or individual necessity that required immense physical labor and geological luck.
Curiosidade
In some regions, people believed that if you dug a well in the wrong spot, it would ruin the village's 'Gi' (energy), making the choice of where to dig even more critical.
Notas culturais
Reflects the 'Artisan Spirit' ({장인정신|匠人精神}). In Korea, people who spend their whole lives perfecting one thing (like a specific food or craft) are highly respected as 'Masters' ({명장|名匠}).
“3대째 내려오는 곰탕집은 한 우물만 판 결과입니다.”
In the modern 'Gig Economy,' this proverb is sometimes debated. Some say being a 'Generalist' is better than being a 'Specialist' (the one well).
“요즘은 한 우물만 파는 것보다 여러 능력을 갖춘 '멀티태스커'가 인기예요.”
Similar to the concept of 'Kodawari' (uncompromising pursuit of perfection). Both cultures value the depth of knowledge over breadth.
“일본의 장인들도 한 우물만 파는 정신을 중요하게 생각합니다.”
In Korean education, students are often encouraged to find one 'major' or 'specialty' early on, reflecting this proverb's influence.
“전공 선택 시 한 우물을 파는 것이 취업에 유리할 수 있습니다.”
Iniciadores de conversa
당신은 한 우물만 파는 스타일인가요, 아니면 여러 가지를 시도하는 스타일인가요?
요즘 한국 사회에서 '한 우물만 파라'는 조언이 여전히 유효하다고 생각하세요?
Erros comuns
우물을 한 개만 파라.
한 우물만 파라.
L1 Interference
우물을 파도 한 우물만 파세요.
우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라. (as a quote)
L1 Interference
Using it for someone who is clearly failing and needs to quit.
Using it for someone who is just bored or impatient.
L1 Interference
우물을 파서 한 우물만 파라.
우물을 파도 한 우물만 파라.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta.
Spanish uses a physical metaphor of holding things, Korean uses digging.
Qui trop embrasse, mal étreint.
Focuses on the inability to manage many things at once.
Auf vielen Hochzeiten gleichzeitig tanzen.
It describes the behavior of being distracted rather than the goal of digging deep.
石の上にも三年 (Ishi no ue ni mo sannen)
Japanese focuses on time/patience, Korean focuses on the singularity of the task.
صاحب بالين كذاب (Sahib balayn kadhab)
It frames the lack of focus as a character flaw (dishonesty).
锲而不舍 (Qiè ér bù shě)
Chinese uses the metaphor of carving/sculpting.
Jack of all trades, master of none.
English focuses on the person's identity (Jack), Korean focuses on the action (digging).
Quem tudo quer, tudo perde.
Focuses on the loss resulting from greed.
Spotted in the Real World
“한 우물을 파는 것도 능력이다.”
A manager advising an intern about the value of sticking to a difficult task.
“30년 한 우물 판 명장, 대통령 표창 받다.”
An article about an artisan receiving an award.
Fácil de confundir
Both involve a well (우물).
This one means being too impatient (looking for scorched rice water at a well), while 'one well' is about focus.
Perguntas frequentes (5)
Yes, but it's often debated. While elders still use it to encourage persistence, younger people often discuss the need to be 'multi-talented' in a fast-changing world.
cultural usageYes! If someone is dating many people at once and can't decide, a friend might jokingly say '한 우물만 파라' to tell them to pick one person.
usage contextsThere isn't a direct 'proverb' opposite, but the concept of 'N-job-ler' (N잡러) or 'Multi-potentialite' represents the opposite philosophy.
comparisonsIn old Korea, wells were the most important resource for a village. Digging one was the ultimate test of labor and commitment.
basic understandingYou can say '저는 이 분야에서 한 우물만 팠습니다' (I have dug only one well in this field).
practical tips
