열 길 물속은 알아도 한 길 사람 속은 모른다.
Yeol gil mulsogeun arado han gil saramsogeun moreunda.
Know ten fathoms of water, but not one fathom of a person's mind.
Significado
It is easier to understand natural phenomena than the complexities of human nature.
Contexto cultural
In Korea, the concept of 'Nunchi' is vital. Because people often hide their true feelings (Sok-maeum) to maintain harmony, this proverb is a common way to acknowledge that social life involves a lot of guesswork. Confucianism values modesty and self-restraint. This often leads to a culture where expressing strong personal opinions is discouraged, making it even harder to 'know' what someone is truly thinking. The use of 'Gil' shows the proverb's age. It dates back to a time when people lived close to nature and used their own bodies as the standard for measurement. This proverb is a favorite in K-Dramas, especially in the 'Makjang' genre (over-the-top dramas) where characters frequently betray each other with shocking secrets.
Use it for empathy
When a friend is complaining about someone's weird behavior, saying this proverb shows you understand how confusing people can be.
Don't be too negative
While usually about betrayal, using it too much can make you sound like you don't trust anyone at all.
Significado
It is easier to understand natural phenomena than the complexities of human nature.
Use it for empathy
When a friend is complaining about someone's weird behavior, saying this proverb shows you understand how confusing people can be.
Don't be too negative
While usually about betrayal, using it too much can make you sound like you don't trust anyone at all.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
열 길 ( )은 알아도 한 길 ( ) 속은 모른다.
The proverb contrasts '물속' (inside water) and '사람' (person).
Which situation best fits the proverb '열 길 물속은 알아도 한 길 사람 속은 모른다'?
상황: 10년 동안 알고 지낸 친구가 갑자기 내 돈을 가지고 도망갔을 때.
This proverb is used when someone you thought you knew acts in an unexpected and disappointing way.
Choose the most natural response for Speaker B.
A: 저렇게 착해 보이는 사람이 범인이었다니 믿을 수가 없어요. B: ( )
Speaker A is expressing surprise at a person's hidden nature, which is the perfect context for this proverb.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Measurable vs. Immeasurable
Banco de exercicios
3 exercicios열 길 ( )은 알아도 한 길 ( ) 속은 모른다.
The proverb contrasts '물속' (inside water) and '사람' (person).
상황: 10년 동안 알고 지낸 친구가 갑자기 내 돈을 가지고 도망갔을 때.
This proverb is used when someone you thought you knew acts in an unexpected and disappointing way.
A: 저렇게 착해 보이는 사람이 범인이었다니 믿을 수가 없어요. B: ( )
Speaker A is expressing surprise at a person's hidden nature, which is the perfect context for this proverb.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt's a rhetorical device. Even though 10 is a much larger number, the 10-unit water is easier to understand than the 1-unit person. It highlights the extreme difficulty of knowing a person.
Yes, it's often used even for very close relationships to express that even after years, some parts of a person remain a mystery.
No, Koreans use meters now. 'Gil' is almost exclusively used in this proverb and other traditional contexts.
90% of the time, yes. It's usually about disappointment or betrayal. However, it can be used for a positive surprise, like a hidden talent, though it's less common.
Mixing up 'sok' (inside) and 'geot' (outside). Remember, the proverb is about the hidden part.
Just say '사람 속은 몰라요' (You don't know a person's inside).
It's neutral. You can use it with elders (with polite endings) or with friends.
Usually not. It's mostly used for adults whose characters are formed and who might have hidden motives.
Not this one. This is strictly about the difficulty of knowing *others*.
Only if you are very close to the recipient. It's a bit too informal/proverbial for a standard professional email.
Frases relacionadas
속을 알 수 없다
similarCannot know the inside.
겉 다르고 속 다르다
similarThe outside is different from the inside.
믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌다
builds onGetting chopped on the foot by a trusted axe.
이심전심
contrastHeart to heart communication.
