Significado
To have a limited range of foods one likes to eat.
Contexto cultural
In Korea, being 'short-mouthed' was traditionally seen as a slight weakness, as eating heartily was linked to health. However, with the 'Small Eater' (소식좌) trend, it's now often discussed openly in media. Grandparents might find the term '입이 짧다' concerning, as they lived through times of food scarcity. They might try to encourage you to eat more if you use this phrase. When invited to someone's home, using '입이 짧다' is a polite way to decline food without insulting the host's cooking skills. On platforms like Instagram or YouTube, '입이 짧다' is used to tag content about small portions or specific food aesthetics.
Use '좀' to be polite
Always add '좀' (a little) when describing yourself as '입이 짧다' to sound more humble and less like you're complaining.
Not for physical size
Never use this to describe the physical size of someone's mouth; it will sound very confusing!
Significado
To have a limited range of foods one likes to eat.
Use '좀' to be polite
Always add '좀' (a little) when describing yourself as '입이 짧다' to sound more humble and less like you're complaining.
Not for physical size
Never use this to describe the physical size of someone's mouth; it will sound very confusing!
The 'Mukbang' irony
Many famous Korean Mukbang stars use this phrase ironically to mean they only eat a lot of things they *actually* like.
Pair with '편이다'
Using '입이 짧은 편이에요' (I'm on the picky side) is the most natural way to use this in conversation.
Teste-se
Choose the most natural phrase to complete the sentence.
저는 매운 것도 못 먹고 채소도 안 먹어요. 정말 ( ).
The person is describing their picky eating habits, for which '입이 짧다' is the correct idiom.
Fill in the blank with the correct particle and form of '짧다'.
우리 아이는 입___ _________ 걱정이에요. (My child is a picky eater, so I'm worried.)
We need the subject marker '이' and the 'because' form '짧아서'.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 음식이 맛없어요? 왜 안 드세요? B: 아니요, 맛있어요. 제가 원래 ( ).
The speaker is giving a reason for their behavior using the explanatory ending '-거든요'.
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
Which situation best fits '입이 짧다'?
Picky eating or limited variety is the core meaning.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Picky vs. Small Eater
Banco de exercicios
4 exercicios저는 매운 것도 못 먹고 채소도 안 먹어요. 정말 ( ).
The person is describing their picky eating habits, for which '입이 짧다' is the correct idiom.
우리 아이는 입___ _________ 걱정이에요. (My child is a picky eater, so I'm worried.)
We need the subject marker '이' and the 'because' form '짧아서'.
A: 음식이 맛없어요? 왜 안 드세요? B: 아니요, 맛있어요. 제가 원래 ( ).
The speaker is giving a reason for their behavior using the explanatory ending '-거든요'.
Which situation best fits '입이 짧다'?
Picky eating or limited variety is the core meaning.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNot usually. It's a neutral description of a trait. However, calling someone else '입이 짧다' can be slightly critical depending on the tone.
Yes! If your cat or dog is picky about their food, you can say '우리 고양이는 입이 짧아요.'
There isn't a single idiom, but '입이 길다' is NOT used. You can say '식욕이 왕성하다' (have a robust appetite) or '아무거나 잘 먹는다' (eat anything well).
Only if you are asked about your weaknesses or eating habits. Otherwise, it's too personal/casual for a formal interview.
Not necessarily, but picky eaters often do eat slowly. The focus is on the *range* and *amount* of food, not the speed.
No, that is not a standard expression in Korean. Use '복스럽게 먹다' (to eat in a way that looks blessed/hearty).
You can say '저는 입이 짧지 않아요' or '저는 가리는 거 없이 다 잘 먹어요.'
Yes, it is a standard Korean idiom used across the peninsula.
Yes, but usually parents use it *about* children. A child saying '저는 입이 짧아요' sounds very mature and cute.
'편식' is the noun for the habit; '입이 짧다' is the idiomatic description of the person.
Frases relacionadas
편식하다
similarTo have an unbalanced diet/picky eating
입맛이 까다롭다
similarTo have a picky/fastidious palate
입맛이 없다
contrastTo have no appetite
대식가
contrastA big eater
소식하다
similarTo eat small portions
