입이 짧다.
Ibi jjalda.
Be a picky eater.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use '입이 짧다' to describe someone who is a picky eater or has a very small appetite.
- Means: Being a picky eater or eating only small amounts of specific foods.
- Used in: Casual dining, describing children, or explaining why you aren't eating much.
- Don't confuse: It's not about the physical size of your mouth!
Explanation at your level:
意思
To have a limited range of foods one likes to eat.
文化背景
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!
意思
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.
自我测试
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.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Picky vs. Small Eater
常见问题
10 个问题Not 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.
相关表达
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
在哪里用
At a friend's dinner party
Friend: 왜 더 안 먹어? 맛없어?
Me: 아니, 진짜 맛있는데 내가 원래 입이 좀 짧아서 그래.
Talking about your kids
Parent A: 우리 아들은 고기만 먹으려고 해요.
Parent B: 우리 애도 입이 짧아서 걱정이에요. 채소를 안 먹어요.
On a first date
Person A: 못 드시는 음식 있어요?
Person B: 저는 입이 좀 짧은 편이라 매운 건 잘 못 먹어요.
Ordering at a restaurant
Waiter: 메뉴 결정하셨나요?
Customer: 친구가 입이 짧아서 양이 적은 걸로 추천해 주세요.
Company Lunch (Hoesik)
Manager: 김 대리, 왜 젓가락을 놓나?
Employee: 죄송합니다, 부장님. 제가 입이 짧아서 벌써 배가 부르네요.
Watching a Mukbang
Viewer 1: 이 유튜버 이름이 왜 '입짧은햇님'이야?
Viewer 2: 원래 입이 짧은데 좋아하는 것만 많이 먹어서 그렇대.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'short' menu. If your mouth is short, your menu of liked foods is also short!
Visual Association
Imagine a person with a tiny, 1-inch wide mouth trying to eat a giant table of food. They can only take one tiny bite of one specific thing.
Rhyme
입이 짧아, 못 먹어 봐! (Mouth is short, can't try it!)
Story
Min-su went to a buffet with 100 dishes. He only ate one piece of bread and a grape. His friend said, 'Your mouth is so short, it didn't even reach the second plate!'
Word Web
挑战
Next time you are eating, identify one food you don't like and say out loud: '저는 [food]에 대해서는 입이 짧아요.'
In Other Languages
Picky eater / Eats like a bird
English 'picky' can sound slightly more negative than the Korean idiom.
好き嫌いが多い (Suki-kirai ga ooi)
Japanese is more descriptive of the preference, Korean is more of a character trait.
挑食 (Tiāoshí)
Chinese focuses on the 'picking' action.
Ser tiquismiquis con la comida
Spanish 'tiquismiquis' is more about being overly meticulous.
Faire la fine bouche
French implies being 'refined' or 'hard to please,' whereas Korean can just mean having a small appetite.
Ein wählerischer Esser sein
German is more formal and descriptive.
انتقائي في الأكل (Intiqa'i fi al-akl)
Arabic focuses on the psychological choice.
Ser fresco para comer
Portuguese 'fresco' is more of a general personality critique.
Easily Confused
Both start with '입이' and describe a person's trait.
Remember: 'Short' (짧다) is about food duration. 'Light' (가볍다) is about secrets falling out easily.
Opposite of '입이 가볍다', but learners might think it means 'eating a lot'.
Heavy mouth = keeps secrets. It has nothing to do with food quantity.
常见问题 (10)
Not 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.
