머리를 맞대다
174
to put heads together
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase when you want to say people are working closely together to solve a tricky problem.
- Means: To brainstorm or cooperate intensely to find a solution.
- Used in: Office meetings, group projects, or family discussions.
- Don't confuse: It's not about physical touching; it's about mental alignment.
Explanation at your level:
意思
To discuss and cooperate to solve a problem or make a decision.
文化背景
Reflects the 'Sarangbang' culture where communal decision-making was the norm. Similar focus on 'Wa' (harmony), but uses the forehead (額) as the focal point. Equivalent to 'Brainstorming', but '머리를 맞대다' feels more intimate and less corporate. Used frequently in online communities when users collaborate to solve a mystery or a game puzzle.
Use with '같이'
Adding '같이' (together) makes the phrase sound even more collaborative.
Not for fighting
Never use this to describe a physical fight or headbutting.
意思
To discuss and cooperate to solve a problem or make a decision.
Use with '같이'
Adding '같이' (together) makes the phrase sound even more collaborative.
Not for fighting
Never use this to describe a physical fight or headbutting.
The 'Woori' Spirit
Using this phrase in a Korean office will make you sound like a great team player.
自我测试
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
어려운 문제를 풀기 위해 친구와 ( ) 맞댔어요.
The idiom is '머리를 맞대다'.
Which situation is appropriate for this idiom?
언제 '머리를 맞대다'를 사용할까요?
It is used for collaboration and brainstorming.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 이 프로젝트 어떻게 하죠? B: 걱정 마세요. 우리 모두 ( ).
Putting heads together leads to solutions.
🎉 得分： /3
视觉学习工具
常见问题
4 个问题Yes, it is polite and shows you want to collaborate. Use the formal form '머리를 맞대고 의논하고 싶습니다'.
No, it can be used for any group size, from two people to a whole nation.
No, it is almost always figurative in modern Korean.
They are very similar, but '머리를 맞대다' feels more traditional and emphasizes the bond between people.
相关表达
중지를 모으다
synonymTo gather collective wisdom
머리를 짜내다
similarTo rack one's brain
무릎을 맞대다
similarTo sit knee-to-knee
손을 잡다
similarTo join hands
발 벗고 나서다
builds onTo take active lead
在哪里用
Office Brainstorming
Team Leader: 프로젝트 마감이 얼마 안 남았어요. 다들 머리를 맞대고 해결책을 찾아봅시다.
Employee: 네, 좋은 아이디어를 모아보겠습니다.
Group Study
Student A: 이 수학 문제 너무 어렵지 않아?
Student B: 그러게. 우리 머리 맞대고 같이 풀어보자.
Family Meeting
Father: 이번 이사 어디로 갈지 머리를 맞대고 결정하자.
Daughter: 저는 학교 근처가 좋아요!
Political News
Anchor: 여야 의원들이 경제 위기 극복을 위해 머리를 맞댔습니다.
Reporter: 네, 오늘 오후부터 긴급 회의가 시작되었습니다.
Fixing Something
Friend 1: 컴퓨터가 왜 안 켜지지?
Friend 2: 잠깐만, 우리 머리 맞대고 원인을 찾아보자.
Startup Pitch
Founder: 우리는 매일 머리를 맞대고 세상을 바꿀 서비스를 고민합니다.
Investor: 팀워크가 아주 좋아 보이네요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Mat' (맞) as 'Meeting' and 'Meori' (머리) as 'Heads'. So, 'Meeting of the Heads'.
Visual Association
Imagine two people leaning over a small table with a single lightbulb above them. Their foreheads are almost touching as they look at a blueprint.
Rhyme
머리를 맞대면, 문제가 해결돼 (Meori-reul mat-dae-myeon, mun-je-ga hae-gyeol-dwae)
Story
A small village had a giant rock blocking the road. One man tried to push it, but failed. Two men tried, but failed. Then, they sat down, put their heads together (literally touching), whispered a plan to use a lever, and moved the rock easily.
Word Web
挑战
Next time you have a group project or a problem with a friend, say '우리 머리를 맞대고 생각해보자!'
In Other Languages
Put our heads together
Korean often implies a slightly more formal or serious 'consultation' tone.
額を集める (Hitai o atsumeru)
Japanese specifies the forehead, whereas Korean uses the whole head.
集思广益 (Jí sī guǎng yì)
Focuses on the 'thoughts' rather than the physical 'heads'.
Consultar con la almohada
Spanish focuses on individual reflection or modern business terms.
Se concerter
More abstract and formal than the Korean idiom.
Die Köpfe zusammenstecken
Can sometimes imply whispering or plotting something secret.
نضع رؤوسنا معاً (Nada' ru'usana ma'an)
Usage frequency varies by region.
Juntar as cabeças
Very informal in most contexts.
Easily Confused
Sounds similar to '맞대다'.
Remember '대다' means 'to touch/put against'. '맞다' means 'to be correct' or 'to be hit'.
Missing the '맞' (mutual) part.
'맞' implies 'each other'. Without it, you are just putting your head on something (like a pillow).
常见问题 (4)
Yes, it is polite and shows you want to collaborate. Use the formal form '머리를 맞대고 의논하고 싶습니다'.
No, it can be used for any group size, from two people to a whole nation.
No, it is almost always figurative in modern Korean.
They are very similar, but '머리를 맞대다' feels more traditional and emphasizes the bond between people.
