Yearly Korean Idioms of the Year (2001-2026)
Since 2001, the Kyosu Shinmun has selected a yearly idiom that captures the zeitgeist of South Korea. Explore 26 years of Korean history through these representative four-character idioms.
자강불식
自强不息Striving to strengthen oneself without rest
Selected by: Korea Federation of SMEs
변동불거
變動不居The world changes constantly without pause
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
도량발호
跳梁跋扈Wielding power and influence recklessly
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
후안무치
厚顔無恥Forgetting righteousness when seeing profit
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
과이불개
過而不改Making mistakes but not correcting them
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
묘서동처
猫鼠同處Cat and mouse living together (watchdog and criminal coexisting)
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
아시타비
我是他非Believing oneself right and others wrong
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
공명지조
共命之鳥A bird with two heads sharing one body (community of fate)
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
임중도원
任重道遠Heavy responsibility and long road ahead
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
파사현정
破邪顯正Breaking evil and revealing righteousness
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
군주민수
君舟民水The ruler is the boat, the people are the water
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
혼용무도
昏庸無道Foolish and incompetent, against reason
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
지록위마
指鹿爲馬Calling a deer a horse (manipulating superiors)
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
도행역시
倒行逆施Going against the natural order
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
거세개탁
擧世皆濁The whole world is murky
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
엄이도종
掩耳盜鐘Covering ears while stealing a bell (self-deception)
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
장두노미
藏頭露尾Hiding the head but exposing the tail
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
방기곡경
旁岐曲徑Taking side paths and crooked routes
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
호질기사
護疾忌醫Hiding illness and avoiding doctors
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
자기기인
自欺欺人Deceiving oneself and others
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
밀운불우
密雲不雨Dense clouds but no rain (signs without fulfillment)
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
상화하택
上火下澤Fire above and water below (lack of communication)
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
당동벌이
黨同伐異Supporting allies while attacking others
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
우왕좌왕
右往左往Going right then left (indecisiveness)
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
이합집산
離合集散Dispersing and gathering repeatedly
Selected by: Kyosu Shinmun
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