Significado
Meaning a task that is extremely easy to do.
Contexto cultural
In Korea, water-related idioms are common because the country is a peninsula with many rivers. Swimming was a common childhood pastime in rural areas. Younger Koreans often replace traditional idioms with '껌이다' (It's gum) or '개꿀' (Honey/Very easy - slang). However, '땅 짚고 헤엄치기' remains the standard idiomatic choice for all ages. Using this idiom to describe your own work shows confidence, but using it to describe someone else's difficult work can be seen as '갑질' (power tripping) or being dismissive. Korean students often use this idiom sarcastically when an exam was unexpectedly easy, though it's more often used sincerely to boast about a subject they are good at.
Use with '이다'
Always remember that this phrase functions as a noun. Use '땅 짚고 헤엄치기예요' or '땅 짚고 헤엄치기였어요.'
Don't be a braggart
Using this about a task others find difficult can make you sound arrogant. Use it carefully!
Significado
Meaning a task that is extremely easy to do.
Use with '이다'
Always remember that this phrase functions as a noun. Use '땅 짚고 헤엄치기예요' or '땅 짚고 헤엄치기였어요.'
Don't be a braggart
Using this about a task others find difficult can make you sound arrogant. Use it carefully!
Combine with '생각보다'
Saying '생각보다 땅 짚고 헤엄치기였어요' (It was easier than I thought) makes you sound very natural.
Synonym Swap
If you want to vary your speech, swap this with '식은 죽 먹기'—they are 100% interchangeable.
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
이 문제는 너무 쉬워서 ( )예요.
The context '너무 쉬워서' (because it's too easy) requires an idiom for ease. '땅 짚고 헤엄치기' fits perfectly.
Which situation is MOST appropriate for using '땅 짚고 헤엄치기'?
어떤 상황에서 이 표현을 쓸까요?
The idiom is used for simple, easy tasks, like making a basic meal.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
가: 이번 프로젝트 혼자 하기 힘들지 않겠어? 나: 아니요, ( ). 이미 다 해본 일이라서요.
The speaker says '이미 다 해본 일' (I've already done it all before), implying it will be very easy.
Match the idiom with its meaning.
관용구와 의미를 연결하세요.
These are three very common Korean idioms with contrasting meanings.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exercicios이 문제는 너무 쉬워서 ( )예요.
The context '너무 쉬워서' (because it's too easy) requires an idiom for ease. '땅 짚고 헤엄치기' fits perfectly.
어떤 상황에서 이 표현을 쓸까요?
The idiom is used for simple, easy tasks, like making a basic meal.
가: 이번 프로젝트 혼자 하기 힘들지 않겠어? 나: 아니요, ( ). 이미 다 해본 일이라서요.
The speaker says '이미 다 해본 일' (I've already done it all before), implying it will be very easy.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
These are three very common Korean idioms with contrasting meanings.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt is neutral to informal. You can use it with '요' style in most daily situations, but avoid it in very formal speeches.
No, you use it for tasks or situations, not to describe a person's character.
There is no difference in meaning. '식은 죽 먹기' is perhaps slightly more common in textbooks, but both are used equally by natives.
It's better not to. '헤엄치기' is the fixed part of the idiom.
Only if you have a very close, casual relationship. Otherwise, it might sound too informal.
Not usually. It just means 'easy.' However, it can imply a task is 'too easy' or 'boring' depending on your tone.
Use '땅 짚고 헤엄치기였어요.'
The phrase itself is native Korean, but the concept is similar to the hanja idiom '易如反掌' (이여반장).
Yes! If a game was very easy, you can say it was '땅 짚고 헤엄치기.'
It means to place your hand or a stick on something for support.
Frases relacionadas
식은 죽 먹기
synonymEating cold porridge.
누워서 떡 먹기
synonymEating rice cakes while lying down.
하늘의 별 따기
contrastPlucking a star from the sky.
껌이다
specialized formIt's gum.
거저먹기
similarGetting something for free/without effort.
