溫故知新 Old wisdom, today’s insight — ONGO
구이부득 求而不得
It means seeking something but failing to obtain it. It describes a state of earnestly desiring something but being unable to achieve it.
구이부득 (求而不得) means "It means seeking something but failing to obtain it. It describes a state of earnestly desiring something but being unable to achieve it.". Gu-i-bu-deuk originates from the Buddhist concept of the Eight Sufferings, specifically the sufferin
1 Meaning
구이부득 (求而不得) means “It means seeking something but failing to obtain it. It describes a state of earnestly desiring something but being unable to achieve it.”.
Gu-i-bu-deuk means seeking but not finding, representing the frustrating situation where earnest desires and efforts do not lead to the intended outcome. It highlights the fateful human limitation of longing for something in life but ultimately being unable to grasp it.
The Western Equivalent
No exact match — here's why
No direct English proverb. "To seek yet not obtain" names the ache of longing for what stays out of reach. "Forbidden fruit" and "wanting what you can't have" touch it, but neither is a true equivalent for this simple, painful sense of an unfulfilled pursuit.
2 Examples
Failing the final stage of a national exam or a job interview after years of preparation.
Instead of falling into despair over the failure, exploring alternative career paths based on the knowledge built up during the effort.
Confessing your feelings to a long-time crush, only to be politely rejected.
Not forcing your feelings on the other person, but instead keeping the memory of having truly loved someone as a beautiful experience.
Losing the lead position of a highly desired project to another colleague at work.
Instead of feeling jealous or resentful, faithfully acting as a supporter to ensure the project's success.
Which situation fits this idiom?
Pick the everyday scene where “구이부득” fits best.
3 Origin
4 Key Lessons
We need the wisdom to acknowledge that we cannot have everything and to let go of our attachments.
Rather than focusing on the unachieved result, we should realize the value of the earnest longing itself.
We should adopt an attitude of growth by accepting the pain of not getting what we want as a natural part of life.
5 English Expression
English Vocabulary
brush
스치다, 솔질하다
"He brushed past me in the crowded hallway."
move along
지나가다, 계속 나아가다
"The police told the crowd to move along."
apart
떨어져, 분리된
"We lived apart for a year before getting married."
ache
아프다, 간절히 바라다
"My legs ache after the long hike."
6 Learn with Music
Related Idioms
구이부득
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