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刻骨難忘

각골난망 刻骨難忘

To be so deeply grateful for a kindness that it is etched into one's very bones and can never be forgotten.

Chinese Idiom 4-character idiom Learn with Music
Quick Answer

각골난망 (刻骨難忘) means "To be so deeply grateful for a kindness that it is etched into one's very bones and can never be forgotten.". Composed of the characters for 'engrave' (刻), 'bone' (骨), 'difficult' (難), and 'forget' (忘), this id

1 Meaning

각골난망 (刻骨難忘) means “To be so deeply grateful for a kindness that it is etched into one's very bones and can never be forgotten.”.

'Gak-gol-nan-mang' (刻骨難忘) is a four-character idiom describing a favor or kindness so profound that it is engraved in one's bones. it symbolizes a heart that deeply cherishes and remembers great help or love received from others.

2 Examples

1

A friend offers unconditional support and encouragement during a long, soul-crushing period of unemployment.

After landing a dream job, you visit the friend with your first paycheck to express that you will never forget their belief in you.

2

A mentor at work takes full responsibility to protect you from disciplinary action after you make a major mistake.

You commit to becoming a supportive leader yourself, modeling your career after their kindness and guidance.

3

An anonymous donor provides a scholarship just as you are about to drop out of school due to financial hardship.

Upon achieving success, you seek out the benefactor to thank them and begin your own tradition of donating to help others.

Which situation fits this idiom?

Pick the everyday scene where “각골난망” fits best.

3 Origin

Composed of the characters for 'engrave' (刻), 'bone' (骨), 'difficult' (難), and 'forget' (忘), this idiom uses the powerful metaphor of an inscription on bone to signify an unforgettable debt of gratitude. Its origins can be found in classic texts like the 'Shiba Shilu' (Eighteen Abbreviated Histories) and various folklore, where it was typically used to honor mentors, parents, or benefactors who saved someone from a life-threatening crisis or provided a major turning point in their life. Just as in the lyrics of a song, it reflects the realization that a loved one's devoted support—even if unspoken—has become the very foundation of one's life.

4 Key Lessons

1

True gratitude involves deeply reflecting on kindness rather than taking it for granted.

2

Unwavering love and support serve as the most powerful forces that sustain a person's life.

3

Realizing the depth of someone's grace provides the inner strength to love oneself and grow further.

5 English Expression

English Vocabulary

suddenly

갑자기, 문득

"It suddenly started to rain while I was walking."

strong enough

충분히 강한

"He wasn't strong enough to lift the heavy box alone."

used to

~하곤 했다(과거의 상태/습관)

"I used to live in a small village near the sea."

no matter how

아무리 ~할지라도

"No matter how hard I try, I can't solve this puzzle."

6 Learn with Music

각골난망 track image

각골난망 Track

Still in My Heart (刻骨難忘)

당신이 내 곁을 지켜준 은혜가 뼛속에 새겨져 평생 잊지 못한다는, 곧 ‘각골난망’의 마음을 담은 고백

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각골난망

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