귀를 곤두세우다
gwi-reul gondudaeuda
Prick up one's ears.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
To listen with extreme focus, often to catch a secret or a faint sound, like an animal pricking its ears.
- Means: To listen with intense concentration and alertness.
- Used in: Eavesdropping, waiting for important news, or sensing danger.
- Don't confuse: '귀를 기울이다' is polite listening; this is more 'intense' or 'alert'.
Explanation at your level:
意思
To listen very attentively and carefully.
文化背景
In Korea, listening is often considered more important than speaking. The phrase reflects the 'Nunchi' culture where one must always be aware of their surroundings. In the age of 'leak' culture (스포일러), fans '귀를 곤두세우다' for any news about their favorite idols or movies. Information is power. Employees often '귀를 곤두세우다' regarding restructuring or bonus news, reflecting the high-competition workplace. In many Korean folk tales, animals like foxes or tigers are described as '귀를 곤두세우다' before they act, linking the phrase to primal instincts.
Add '바짝' for emphasis
Saying '귀를 바짝 곤두세우다' makes you sound like a native speaker who is REALLY focused.
Don't use for superiors
Telling your boss to '귀를 곤두세우세요' is rude. Use '경청해 주세요' instead.
意思
To listen very attentively and carefully.
Add '바짝' for emphasis
Saying '귀를 바짝 곤두세우다' makes you sound like a native speaker who is REALLY focused.
Don't use for superiors
Telling your boss to '귀를 곤두세우세요' is rude. Use '경청해 주세요' instead.
The 'Nunchi' connection
This phrase is the auditory version of having good 'nunchi'.
自我测试
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
옆집에서 큰 소리가 나자 그는 무슨 일인지 확인하려고 귀를 ( ).
The context of a sudden noise and checking what happened requires the intense focus of '곤두세웠다'.
Which situation is MOST appropriate for '귀를 곤두세우다'?
다음 중 '귀를 곤두세우다'를 쓰기에 가장 적절한 상황은?
Listening for a 'hint' involves the high-stakes, intense focus characteristic of this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 왜 그렇게 가만히 있어? B: 조용히 해 봐. 저기서 하는 이야기 좀 ( ).
B is trying to eavesdrop or catch a specific sound, which fits '곤두세우다'.
Match the idiom to the nuance.
Match '귀를 곤두세우다' with its primary nuance.
The idiom conveys a sharp sense of being alert or very curious.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
常见问题
10 个问题No, it can be used for positive things like waiting for a winning lottery number or a job offer.
Yes, it is actually the literal description for animals pricking their ears.
'귀가 밝다' means you have good hearing in general. '귀를 곤두세우다' is a temporary action of focusing.
It's understandable but sounds incomplete. '곤두세우다' is the set idiom.
Yes, very often in news reports about market trends or competitor moves.
Often, yes. It implies a state of tension.
'귀 쫑긋' is a more casual, cute way to say the same thing.
You can use it to describe how you will stay alert to customer needs, but don't use it toward the interviewer.
It's an adverb meaning 'vertically' or 'head-first'.
Extremely common, especially in thrillers or rom-coms with gossip scenes.
相关表达
귀를 기울이다
similarTo listen attentively/respectfully
귀가 쫑긋하다
similarEars are pricked up (cute/casual)
신경을 곤두세우다
builds onTo be on edge/very sensitive
한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘리다
contrastIn one ear and out the other
귀담아듣다
similarTo take to heart
在哪里用
Eavesdropping at a Cafe
민수: 저 사람들 무슨 이야기 하는 거야?
지혜: 조용히 해봐, 나 지금 귀를 곤두세우고 듣고 있단 말이야.
Waiting for Exam Results
학생 1: 이제 곧 합격자 발표야.
학생 2: 응, 다들 스피커 소리에 귀를 곤두세우고 있어.
Office Rumors
김 대리: 이번에 보너스 나온다는 소문 들었어?
이 과장: 벌써 사무실 전체가 그 소문에 귀를 곤두세우고 있네.
Hearing a Strange Noise at Night
아내: 여보, 방금 거실에서 무슨 소리 안 났어?
남편: 잠깐만, 귀 좀 곤두세우고 들어볼게.
Listening for a Sale/Discount
친구 A: 백화점 세일 언제 시작한대?
친구 B: 나도 몰라. 광고 나올 때마다 귀를 곤두세우고 있어.
Spy/Action Movie Context
팀장: 목표물이 움직이는 소리가 들리나?
요원: 네, 귀를 곤두세우고 추적 중입니다.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Gondola' (곤두) rising up to the 'Sky' (세우다) to hear the stars better.
Visual Association
Imagine a Doberman Pinscher with its ears perfectly straight and pointy, vibrating slightly as it tries to hear a treat bag opening from three rooms away.
Rhyme
귀를 곤두세우고, 소식을 채우고 (Prick up your ears, and fill up with news).
Story
A spy is hiding behind a curtain. He can't see anything, so he has to make his ears 'stand up' like antennas to catch the secret password. He is '귀를 곤두세우다'-ing.
Word Web
挑战
Next time you are in a public place, try to '귀를 곤두세우다' to a nearby conversation for 1 minute and then summarize it in Korean.
In Other Languages
Aguzar el oído
Spanish uses 'sharpen' while Korean uses 'stand on end'.
Dresser l'oreille
French is slightly more formal than the Korean idiom.
Die Ohren spitzen
German is very common in everyday speech, even for children.
耳をそばだてる (Mimi o sobadateru)
The Japanese verb 'sobadateru' specifically means to turn something sideways/up to catch more.
أرهف السمع (Arhafa al-sam'a)
Arabic focuses on the sense of hearing itself, not the physical ear.
竖起耳朵 (Shù qǐ ěrduo)
Chinese is more literal and less 'idiomatic' than the Korean version.
귀를 쫑긋 세우다
Adds an expressive sound-effect word.
Ficar de orelha em pé
Portuguese often implies suspicion or being 'on guard' more than just listening.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'listen carefully'.
Use '기울이다' for a teacher or a friend's problem. Use '곤두세우다' for secrets or news.
Both use '곤두세우다'.
Use '신경' for general stress/sensitivity. Use '귀' specifically for sounds/information.
常见问题 (10)
No, it can be used for positive things like waiting for a winning lottery number or a job offer.
Yes, it is actually the literal description for animals pricking their ears.
'귀가 밝다' means you have good hearing in general. '귀를 곤두세우다' is a temporary action of focusing.
It's understandable but sounds incomplete. '곤두세우다' is the set idiom.
Yes, very often in news reports about market trends or competitor moves.
Often, yes. It implies a state of tension.
'귀 쫑긋' is a more casual, cute way to say the same thing.
You can use it to describe how you will stay alert to customer needs, but don't use it toward the interviewer.
It's an adverb meaning 'vertically' or 'head-first'.
Extremely common, especially in thrillers or rom-coms with gossip scenes.
