This post introduces a short and instructive story using famous proverbs as a way to learn Korean.Each story contains an easy -to -understand sentence and an important lesson, which will help Korean learners to learn both language and culture at the same time.
혹 떼러 갔다가 혹 붙이고 온다 (한국 속담)
hok tteoreo gattaga hok but-igo onda (hangug sogdam)
I went to remove a wart but ended up attaching one.(Korean Proverbs)
(I tried to fix the problem but made it worse.)
Sentence 1
어느 마을에 얼굴에 커다란 혹이 있는 두 명의 노인이 살았어요.
eoneu ma-eul-e eolgul-e keodalan hog-i issneun du myeong-ui no-in-i sal-ass-eo-yo.
In a village, two elderly men lived, each with a large bump on their face.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 어느 | eoneu | one | 어느 (Determiner) |
| 마을에 | maeule | in the village | 마을(Noun) + 에(Location Particle) |
| 얼굴에 | eolgure | on the face | 얼굴(Noun) + 에(Location Particle) |
| 커다란 | keodaran | big | 커다란(Adjective) |
| 혹이 | hogi | bump | 혹(Noun) + 이(Subject Particle) |
| 있는 | inneun | having | 있다(Verb) + 는(Modifier) |
| 두 명의 | du myeongui | two | 두(Determiner) + 명(Noun) + 의(Possessive Particle) |
| 노인이 | noini | elderly person | 노인(Noun) + 이(Subject Particle) |
| 살았어요 | salasseoyo | lived | Basic Type: 살다(Verb)+았+어요 |
Sentence 2
한 노인은 착한 사람이었고, 다른 노인은 나쁜 사람이었어요.
han no-in-eun chaghan salam-i-eossgo, daleun no-in-eun na-ppeun salam-i-eoss-eo-yo.
One old man was a good person, and the other old man was a bad person.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 한 | han | one | 한(Determiner) |
| 노인은 | noineun | the old man | 노인(Noun) + 은(Topic Particle) |
| 착한 | chakan | good | 착한(Adjective) |
| 사람이었고 | saramieotgo | was a person | 사람(Noun) + 이었+고 |
| 다른 | dareun | another | 다른(Adjective) |
| 노인은 | noineun | the old man | 노인(Noun) + 은(Topic Particle) |
| 나쁜 | nappeun | bad | 나쁜(Adjective) |
| 사람이었어요 | saramieosseoyo | was a person | 사람(Noun) + 이었어요(Copula + Past Ending) |
Sentence 3
어느 날, 착한 노인이 산에서 나무를 하다가 날이 어두워졌어요.
eoneu nal, chaghan no-in-i san-eseo namuleul hadaga nal-i eodu-wojyeoss-eo-yo.
One day, while a kind old man was gathering wood in the mountains, night fell.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 어느 | eoneu | one | 어느 (Determiner) |
| 날 | nal | day | 날(Noun) |
| 착한 | chakan | good | Basic Type: 착하다(Adjective) |
| 노인이 | noini | the old man | 노인(Noun) + 이(Subject Particle) |
| 산에서 | saneseo | in the mountain | 산(Noun) + 에서(Location Particle) |
| 나무를 | namureul | wood | 나무(Noun) + 를(Object Particle) |
| 하다가 | hadaga | while doing | 하다(Verb) + 가(Conjunctive Ending) |
| 날이 | nari | the day | 날(Noun) + 이(Subject Particle) |
| 어두워졌어요 | eoduwosseoyo | got dark | Basic Type: 어두워지다(Verb)+었어요 |
Sentence 4
길을 잃은 노인은 근처에 있는 빈집을 발견했어요.
gil-eul ilh-eun no-in-eun geuncheo-e issneun binjib-eul balgyeonhaess-eo-yo.
The old man who lost his way found an empty house nearby.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 길을 | gireul | the road | 길(Noun) + 을(Object Particle) |
| 잃은 | ireun | lost | Basic Type: 잃다(Verb) + 은(Modifier) |
| 노인은 | noineun | the old man | 노인(Noun) + 은(Topic Particle) |
| 근처에 | geuncheoe | nearby | 근처(Noun) + 에(Location Particle) |
| 있는 | inneun | existing | 있다(Verb) + 는(Modifier) |
| 빈집을 | binjibeul | empty house | 빈집(Noun) + 을(Object Particle) |
| 발견했어요 | balkyeonhaesseoyo | discovered | Basic Type: 발견하다(Verb) |
Sentence 5
노인은 날이 밝기를 기다리며 노래를 불렀어요.
no-in-eun nal-i balggileul gidalimyeo nolaeleul bulleoss-eo-yo.
The old man sang while waiting for the brightness.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 노인은 | noineun | the old man | 노인(Noun) + 은(Topic Particle) |
| 날이 | nari | the day | 날(Noun) + 이(Subject Particle) |
| 밝기를 | balkgireul | to brighten | 밝다(Verb) + 기(Nominalizer) + 를(Object Particle) |
| 기다리며 | gidalimyeo | waiting | 기다리다(Verb) + 며(Conjunctive Ending) |
| 노래를 | noraereul | song | 노래(Noun) + 를(Object Particle) |
| 불렀어요 | bulleosseoyo | sang | Basic Type: 부르다(Verb)+었어요 |
Sentence 6
노래 소리를 들은 도깨비들이 모여들었어요.
nolae solileul deul-eun do-kkaebideul-i mo-yeodeul-eoss-eo-yo.
The goblins who listened to the song gathered.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 노래 | norae | song | 노래(Noun) |
| 소리를 | sorireul | sound | 소리(Noun) + 를(Object Particle) |
| 들은 | deureun | heard | Basic Type: 듣다(Verb) + 은(Modifier) |
| 도깨비들이 | dokkaebideuri | goblins | 도깨비(Noun) + 들(Plural Marker) + 이(Subject Particle) |
| 모여들었어요 | moyeodeureosseoyo | gathered | Basic Type: 모여들다(Verb)+었어요 |
Sentence 7
도깨비들은 노인에게 "노래를 어떻게 그렇게 잘하나요?"라고 물었어요.
do-kkaebideul-eun no-in-ege "nolaeleul eo-tteohge geuleohge jalhana-yo?"lago mul-eoss-eo-yo.
The goblins asked the old man, "How are you so good at singing?"
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 도깨비들은 | dokkaebideureun | goblins | 도깨비(Noun) + 들(Plural Marker) + 은(Topic Particle) |
| 노인에게 | noinege | to the old man | 노인(Noun) + 에게(Dative Particle) |
| 노래를 | "noraereul | song | 노래(Noun) + 를(Object Particle) |
| 어떻게 | eotteoke | how | 어떻게(Adverb) |
| 그렇게 | geureoke | like that | 그렇게(Adverb) |
| 잘하나요라고 | jalhanayo?"rago | do so well?" | 잘하다(Verb) + 나요(Question Ending) + 라고(Quotation Particle) |
| 물었어요 | muleosseoyo | asked | Basic Type: 묻다(Verb)+었어요 |
Sentence 8
노인은 무서웠지만 지혜롭게 대답했어요.
no-in-eun museo-wossjiman jihyelobge daedabhaess-eo-yo.
The old man was scared but wisely answered.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 노인은 | noineun | the old man | 노인(Noun) + 은(Topic Particle) |
| 무서웠지만 | museowotjiman | was scared, but | Basic Type: 무섭다(Adjective) + 었지만(Past Tense + Conjunctive Ending) |
| 지혜롭게 | jiheropge | wisely | 지혜롭다(Adjective) + 게(Adverbial Suffix) |
| 대답했어요 | daedaphaesseoyo | answered | Basic Type: 대답하다(Verb) |
Sentence 9
"제 노래는 뺨의 혹에서 나오는 소리입니다."
"je nolaeneun ppyam-ui hog-eseo na-oneun soli-ibnida."
"My song is from the cheeks."
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 제 | je | my | 제(Pronoun) |
| 노래는 | noraeneun | song | 노래(Noun) + 는(Topic Particle) |
| 뺨의 | ppyamui | of the cheek | 뺨(Noun) + 의(Possessive Particle) |
| 혹에서 | hokeseo | from the bump | 혹(Noun) + 에서(Location Particle) |
| 나오는 | naoneun | coming out | 나오다(Verb) + 는(Modifier) |
| 소리입니다. | sorimnida. | is the sound. | 소리(Noun) + 입니다(Copula + Formal Ending) |
Sentence 10
도깨비들은 금은보화를 줄 테니 혹을 달라고 했어요.
do-kkaebideul-eun geum-eunbohwaleul jul teni hog-eul dallago haess-eo-yo.
The goblins will give you gold and silver treasures.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 도깨비들은 | dokkaebideureun | goblins | 도깨비(Noun) + 들(Plural Marker) + 은(Topic Particle) |
| 금은보화를 | geumeunbohwareul | gold and silver treasures | 금은보화(Noun) + 를(Object Particle) |
| 줄 테니 | jul teni | will give | 주다(Verb) + ㄹ(Future Tense) + 테니(Conjunctive Ending) |
| 혹을 | hogeul | the bump | 혹(Noun) + 을(Object Particle) |
| 달라고 했어요 | dallago haesseoyo | asked to give | 달다(Verb) + 라고(Quotation Particle) + 했어요(Said - Verb) |
Sentence 11
도깨비들이 방망이를 두드리자 노인의 혹이 떨어졌어요.
do-kkaebideul-i bangmang-ileul dudeulija no-in-ui hog-i tteol-eojyeoss-eo-yo.
When the goblins knocked on the bat, the old man's lump fell.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 도깨비들이 | dokkaebideuri | goblins | 도깨비(Noun) + 들(Plural Marker) + 이(Subject Particle) |
| 방망이를 | bangmangireul | club | 방망이(Noun) + 를(Object Particle) |
| 두드리자 | dudeurija | when hit | 두드리다(Verb) + 자(Conjunctive Ending) |
| 노인의 | noine | of the old man | 노인(Noun) + 의(Possessive Particle) |
| 혹이 | hogi | bump | 혹(Noun) + 이(Subject Particle) |
| 떨어졌어요 | tteoreojyeosseoyo | fell off | Basic Type: 떨어지다(Verb)+었어요 |
Sentence 12
도깨비들은 노인에게 금은보화를 주며 혹을 가지고 신나게 사라졌어요.
do-kkaebideul-eun no-in-ege geum-eunbohwaleul jumyeo hog-eul gajigo sinnage salajyeoss-eo-yo.
The ghosts gave the old man a gold and silver treasure and disappeared with bumps.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 도깨비들은 | dokkaebideureun | goblins | 도깨비(Noun) + 들(Plural Marker) + 은(Topic Particle) |
| 노인에게 | noinege | to the old man | 노인(Noun) + 에게(Dative Particle) |
| 금은보화를 | geumeunbohwareul | gold and silver treasures | 금은보화(Noun) + 를(Object Particle) |
| 주며 | jumeo | gave | 주다(Verb) + 며(Conjunctive Ending) |
| 혹을 | hogeul | the bump | 혹(Noun) + 을(Object Particle) |
| 가지고 | gajigo | holding | 가지다(Verb) + 고(Conjunctive Ending) |
| 신나게 | sinnage | joyfully | 신나다(Verb) + 게(Adverbial Suffix) |
| 사라졌어요 | sarajyeosseoyo | disappeared | Basic Type: 사라지다(Verb)+었어요 |
Sentence 13
나쁜 노인이 이 소식을 듣고 빈집으로 갔어요.
na-ppeun no-in-i i sosig-eul deudgo binjib-eulo gass-eo-yo.
The bad old man went to the vacant house after hearing this news.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 나쁜 | nappeun | bad | Basic Type: 나쁘다(Adjective) |
| 노인이 | noini | the old man | 노인(Noun) + 이(Subject Particle) |
| 이 | i | this | 이(Determiner) |
| 소식을 | sosigeul | news | 소식(Noun) + 을(Object Particle) |
| 듣고 | deutgo | heard | 듣다(Verb) + 고(Conjunctive Ending) |
| 빈집으로 | binjibeuro | to the empty house | 빈집(Noun) + 으로(Direction Particle) |
| 갔어요 | gasseoyo | went | Basic Type: 가다(Verb)+았어요 |
Sentence 14
밤이 되자 나쁜 노인은 노래를 부르기 시작했어요.
bam-i doeja na-ppeun no-in-eun nolaeleul buleugi sijaghaess-eo-yo.
At night, the bad old man began to sing.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 밤이 | bami | night | 밤(Noun) + 이(Subject Particle) |
| 되자 | doeja | as it became | 되다(Verb) + 자(Conjunctive Ending) |
| 나쁜 | nappeun | bad | Basic Type: 나쁘다(Adjective) |
| 노인은 | noineun | the old man | 노인(Noun) + 은(Topic Particle) |
| 노래를 | noraereul | song | 노래(Noun) + 를(Object Particle) |
| 부르기 | bureugi | to sing | 부르다(Verb) + 기(Nominalizer) |
| 시작했어요 | sijakhaesseoyo | began | Basic Type: 시작하다(Verb) |
Sentence 15
도깨비들은 화를 내며 나쁜 노인의 다른 뺨에도 혹을 붙였어요.
do-kkaebideul-eun hwaleul naemyeo na-ppeun no-in-ui daleun ppyam-edo hog-eul but-yeoss-eo-yo.
The goblins were angry and put on other cheeks of bad old people.
Sentence Analysis:
| Word | Romanization | English Translation | Part of Speech / Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 도깨비들은 | dokkaebideureun | goblins | 도깨비(Noun) + 들(Plural Marker) + 은(Topic Particle) |
| 화를 | hwareul | anger | 화(Noun) + 를(Object Particle) |
| 내며 | naemyeo | showing | 내다(Verb) + 며(Conjunctive Ending) |
| 나쁜 | nappeun | bad | Basic Type: 나쁘다(Adjective) |
| 노인의 | noine | of the old man | 노인(Noun) + 의(Possessive Particle) |
| 다른 | dareun | another | 다른(Adjective) |
| 뺨에도 | ppyamedo | on the cheek | 뺨(Noun) + 에(Location Particle) + 도(Also) |
| 혹을 | hogeul | the bump | 혹(Noun) + 을(Object Particle) |
| 붙였어요 | butyeosseoyo | attached | Basic Type: 붙이다(Verb)+었어요 |
Learning Assessment
Which of the following is incorrectly paired?
1. 도깨비들은 - The goblins
2. 도깨비들은 - incorrect_word
What does the Korean word '어느' mean in English? (Answer: any)
Translate the following Korean sentence into English: "제 노래는 뺨의 혹에서 나오는 소리입니다."
Conclusion
This story vividly conveys the meaning of the Korean proverb, "Going and sticking."While good behavior and wise response have good results, greed and cunning can lead to greater misfortune.This story allows learners to learn both Korean traditional values and lessons at the same time.