귀를 의심하다
gwireul uisimhada
Doubt one's ears
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this when you hear something so shocking or unexpected that you literally can't believe it's true.
- Means: To doubt what you just heard because it's so surprising.
- Used in: Hearing lottery wins, sudden breakups, or unbelievable gossip.
- Don't confuse: Don't use it for things you see; that's '눈을 의심하다'.
Explanation at your level:
意思
To be so surprised by what one hears that one thinks it's untrue.
文化背景
In Korean variety shows (like Running Man), when a member betrays another, the caption '귀를 의심' often appears in big letters to emphasize the shock. In international business contexts, Koreans might use this phrase to politely signal that a proposal is so unexpected it needs clarification. In Korean novels, this phrase is used to slow down time and focus on a character's internal state during a turning point. On platforms like Twitter (X) or Instagram, Koreans use the hashtag #귀를의심 to react to shocking celebrity news or weird viral videos.
Use with '제'
In polite situations, always use '제 귀를 의심했어요' to sound humble and natural.
Don't overuse
If you use it for every small thing, you will sound like a drama queen. Save it for big shocks!
意思
To be so surprised by what one hears that one thinks it's untrue.
Use with '제'
In polite situations, always use '제 귀를 의심했어요' to sound humble and natural.
Don't overuse
If you use it for every small thing, you will sound like a drama queen. Save it for big shocks!
Combine with '순간'
Saying '귀를 의심하는 순간' (the moment I doubted my ears) adds a nice narrative touch to your stories.
Reaction is key
Koreans value good reactions (리액션). Using this idiom shows you are a great listener.
自我测试
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
복권에 당첨됐다는 말을 듣고 제 ___ ___ 의심했어요.
Since the person 'heard' (듣고) the news, '귀를' (ears) is the correct organ.
Which situation is most appropriate for '귀를 의심하다'?
어떤 상황에서 이 표현을 쓸까요?
This involves hearing shocking news, which is the perfect context for the idiom.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
가: 영희가 이번에 장학금을 받는대요. 나: 정말요? 영희는 공부를 안 하잖아요. 저 지금 ___ ___ ___.
The speaker is expressing disbelief at the news they just heard.
Match the reaction to the event.
이벤트: '뉴스에서 내일 지구가 멸망한다고 했다.'
Hearing that the world is ending is the ultimate 'doubt your ears' moment.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Ears vs. Eyes
常见问题
10 个问题No, it's only for information that is hard to believe, not for physical volume issues.
Yes, if they tell you something truly surprising (like a promotion), it's a polite way to show shock.
'믿기지 않다' is 'unbelievable' (general), while '귀를 의심하다' specifically highlights the act of hearing the news.
Yes, but it's usually used when you are currently hearing something shocking, like on a live phone call.
No, Koreans don't usually say 'doubt my nose'. They just say 'This smell is strange'.
That would be '눈을 의심하다'. Use it for things you see.
It is neutral. It can be used in both formal and informal settings depending on the ending (요/습니다/어).
Yes! If someone tells a very obvious or shocking lie, you can say you doubted your ears.
Extremely common. Characters use it whenever a secret is revealed.
The roots are Hanja ({耳|귀} and {疑心|의심}), but the phrase itself is usually written in Hangul.
相关表达
눈을 의심하다
similarTo doubt one's eyes.
믿기지 않다
synonymTo be unbelievable.
어안이 벙벙하다
similarTo be dumbfounded.
까무러치다
builds onTo faint or be almost shocked to death.
말도 안 돼
similarNo way / That makes no sense.
在哪里用
Winning a Prize
A: 축하해요! 1등 당첨이에요!
B: 네? 정말요? 제 귀를 의심했어요!
Hearing a Scandal
친구 1: 야, 철수랑 영희랑 사귄대.
친구 2: 뭐? 진짜? 나 지금 내 귀를 의심하고 있어.
Job Promotion
부장님: 김 대리, 이번에 과장으로 승진했어요.
김 대리: 정말 감사합니다. 소식을 듣고 귀를 의심했습니다.
Rude Remark
A: 그 사람이 너보고 일 못한다고 하더라.
B: 뭐라고? 그 말을 듣고 내 귀를 의심했어.
Unexpected Test Result
동생: 형, 나 이번 시험 다 맞았어!
형: 네가? 와, 내 귀를 의심하게 만드네.
Breaking News
앵커: 속보입니다. 두 나라가 평화 협정을 맺었습니다.
시민: 뉴스를 보고 제 귀를 의심할 정도로 기뻤습니다.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of your EAR (귀) and a QUESTION MARK (의심). When news is too big, your ear gets a question mark!
Visual Association
Imagine a person literally taking their ear off and looking at it with a magnifying glass, as if to check if it's broken because of the crazy news they just heard.
Rhyme
귀가 쫑긋, 소식은 헉! 내 귀를 의심해, 정말이야 억!
Story
You win the lottery. The man on TV says your name. You look at your ears in the mirror and say, 'Are you guys okay? Did you hear that right?' You are doubting your ears (귀를 의심하다).
Word Web
挑战
Tell a fake, shocking story to a Korean friend and wait for them to say '진짜요?' then reply with '네, 저도 제 귀를 의심했어요!'
In Other Languages
Can't believe my ears
Korean uses 'doubt' (의심) while English uses 'believe' (믿다).
耳を疑う (Mimi o utagau)
None; they are perfect equivalents.
不敢相信自己的耳朵 (Bù gǎn xiāngxìn zìjǐ de ěrduǒ)
Chinese is more wordy and focuses on 'not daring' rather than 'doubting'.
No dar crédito a sus oídos
Focuses on 'credit' rather than 'doubt'.
N'en pas croire ses oreilles
Uses 'believe' (croire) instead of 'doubt'.
Seinen Ohren nicht trauen
Focuses on 'trust' rather than 'doubt'.
لم يصدق أذنيه (Lam yusaddiq udhunayhi)
Uses the dual form for 'two ears' specifically.
Não acreditar nos próprios ouvidos
Uses 'believe' instead of 'doubt'.
Easily Confused
Both involve the word 'ear' (귀).
귀가 가렵다 (ears are itchy) means someone is gossiping about you. 귀를 의심하다 is about your own shock.
Both involve hearing.
귀에 익다 means something sounds familiar. 귀를 의심하다 means something sounds unbelievable.
常见问题 (10)
No, it's only for information that is hard to believe, not for physical volume issues.
Yes, if they tell you something truly surprising (like a promotion), it's a polite way to show shock.
'믿기지 않다' is 'unbelievable' (general), while '귀를 의심하다' specifically highlights the act of hearing the news.
Yes, but it's usually used when you are currently hearing something shocking, like on a live phone call.
No, Koreans don't usually say 'doubt my nose'. They just say 'This smell is strange'.
That would be '눈을 의심하다'. Use it for things you see.
It is neutral. It can be used in both formal and informal settings depending on the ending (요/습니다/어).
Yes! If someone tells a very obvious or shocking lie, you can say you doubted your ears.
Extremely common. Characters use it whenever a secret is revealed.
The roots are Hanja ({耳|귀} and {疑心|의심}), but the phrase itself is usually written in Hangul.
