孤掌難鳴 고장난명

Meaning

"One hand alone cannot make a clapping sound. It means that it is difficult to accomplish anything alone, as collaboration and mutual response are essential."

Hanja

孤掌難鳴

Pronunciation

고장난명

Learn with Music

Echoes Need Two Hands (孤掌難鳴)

Study Material

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Examples

A developer with a brilliant app idea struggles to bring the vision to life alone.

孤掌難鳴 고장난명 - Echoes Need Two Hands (孤掌難鳴) idiom music album cover

Echoes Need Two Hands (孤掌難鳴)

Even a heart that cannot ring alone can shake the world when your hands join mine in a perfect harmony.

Learn 孤掌難鳴 (고장난명) with music

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Yeah yeah

그래 그래

Hands up now

이제 손을 들어봐

Feel the beat

비트를 느껴

We step in

우리가 시작해

Lights go on and I feel the spark

불이 켜지고 불꽃을 느껴

Every step pulling me out the dark

걸음마다 어둠 속에서 날 끌어내

Heart go fast but I like that sound

심장은 뛰지만 이 소리가 좋아

Feel it lift when we’re close right now

우리가 가까워질 때 떠오르는 기분

Mirror shine in the neon glow

네온 불빛 속에 빛나는 거울

Every move got me losing control

모든 움직임에 정신을 잃어

Say my name let it echo back

내 이름을 불러줘 메아리치게

I don’t wanna feel this alone like that

그렇게 혼자 있고 싶지 않아

If I call will you answer me

내가 부르면 대답해 줄래

If I run will you run with me

내가 뛰면 함께 뛰어줄래

Count it in feel the heat

숫자를 세어봐 열기를 느껴

One two three

하나 둘 셋

Echo eh eh in my head

에코 에 에 머릿속에

Up up up we don’t stop yet

위로 위로 아직 멈추지 마

Left right left feel the flow

왼쪽 오른쪽 흐름을 느껴

Two hands make the echo glow

두 손이 만나야 울림이 빛나

Echo eh eh say it loud

에코 에 에 크게 말해봐

Na na na hear us now

나 나 나 지금 우리 소리를 들어봐

One voice never shakes the ground

한 목소리로는 대지를 흔들 수 없어

Two hands make the echo sound

두 손이 맞부딪혀야 울림이 나

Midnight colors on your face

네 얼굴에 비친 한밤의 색깔들

Every smile setting the pace

미소 지을 때마다 속도가 붙어

When you move closer to me

네가 내게 다가올 때

I feel the spark instantly

즉시 불꽃을 느껴

No more quiet no slow down

더 이상의 정적도 느림도 없어

Feel the bass when it comes around

베이스가 울려 퍼질 때 느껴봐

Side by side we light the flame

나란히 서서 불꽃을 피워

Call my name call my name

내 이름을 불러줘 내 이름을

If I call will you answer me

내가 부르면 대답해 줄래

If I run will you run with me

내가 뛰면 함께 뛰어줄래

Count it in feel the heat

숫자를 세어봐 열기를 느껴

One two three

하나 둘 셋

Echo eh eh in my head

에코 에 에 머릿속에

Up up up we don’t stop yet

위로 위로 아직 멈추지 마

Left right left feel the flow

왼쪽 오른쪽 흐름을 느껴

Two hands make the echo glow

두 손이 만나야 울림이 빛나

Echo eh eh say it loud

에코 에 에 크게 말해봐

Na na na hear us now

나 나 나 지금 우리 소리를 들어봐

One voice never shakes the ground

한 목소리로는 대지를 흔들 수 없어

Two hands make the echo sound

두 손이 맞부딪혀야 울림이 나

I was quiet on my own

혼자일 때는 고요했지

Now I feel it not alone

이제는 혼자가 아니란 걸 느껴

When you sing it back to me

네가 다시 노래를 불러줄 때

That’s the moment I believe

그게 바로 내가 믿는 순간이야

Echo eh eh in my head

에코 에 에 머릿속에

Hands up high don’t forget

손을 높이 들어 잊지 마

Left right left shake it now

왼쪽 오른쪽 지금 흔들어

Two hands make the echo sound

두 손이 맞부딪혀야 울림이 나

Echo eh eh say it loud

에코 에 에 크게 말해봐

Na na na feel the crowd

나 나 나 군중을 느껴봐

One voice never shakes the ground

한 목소리로는 대지를 흔들 수 없어

Two hands make the echo sound

두 손이 맞부딪혀야 울림이 나

Hands up now

이제 손을 들어봐

Echo eh eh

에코 에 에

Together now

이제 함께해

Yeah yeah Hands up now Feel the beat We step in Lights go on and I feel the spark Every step pulling me out the dark Heart go fast but I like that sound Feel it lift when we’re close right now Mirror shine in the neon glow Every move got me losing control Say my name let it echo back I don’t wanna feel this alone like that If I call will you answer me If I run will you run with me Count it in feel the heat One two three Echo eh eh in my head Up up up we don’t stop yet Left right left feel the flow Two hands make the echo glow Echo eh eh say it loud Na na na hear us now One voice never shakes the ground Two hands make the echo sound Midnight colors on your face Every smile setting the pace When you move closer to me I feel the spark instantly No more quiet no slow down Feel the bass when it comes around Side by side we light the flame Call my name call my name If I call will you answer me If I run will you run with me Count it in feel the heat One two three Echo eh eh in my head Up up up we don’t stop yet Left right left feel the flow Two hands make the echo glow Echo eh eh say it loud Na na na hear us now One voice never shakes the ground Two hands make the echo sound I was quiet on my own Now I feel it not alone When you sing it back to me That’s the moment I believe Echo eh eh in my head Hands up high don’t forget Left right left shake it now Two hands make the echo sound Echo eh eh say it loud Na na na feel the crowd One voice never shakes the ground Two hands make the echo sound Hands up now Echo eh eh Together now
그래 그래 이제 손을 들어봐 비트를 느껴 우리가 시작해 불이 켜지고 불꽃을 느껴 걸음마다 어둠 속에서 날 끌어내 심장은 뛰지만 이 소리가 좋아 우리가 가까워질 때 떠오르는 기분 네온 불빛 속에 빛나는 거울 모든 움직임에 정신을 잃어 내 이름을 불러줘 메아리치게 그렇게 혼자 있고 싶지 않아 내가 부르면 대답해 줄래 내가 뛰면 함께 뛰어줄래 숫자를 세어봐 열기를 느껴 하나 둘 셋 에코 에 에 머릿속에 위로 위로 아직 멈추지 마 왼쪽 오른쪽 흐름을 느껴 두 손이 만나야 울림이 빛나 에코 에 에 크게 말해봐 나 나 나 지금 우리 소리를 들어봐 한 목소리로는 대지를 흔들 수 없어 두 손이 맞부딪혀야 울림이 나 네 얼굴에 비친 한밤의 색깔들 미소 지을 때마다 속도가 붙어 네가 내게 다가올 때 즉시 불꽃을 느껴 더 이상의 정적도 느림도 없어 베이스가 울려 퍼질 때 느껴봐 나란히 서서 불꽃을 피워 내 이름을 불러줘 내 이름을 내가 부르면 대답해 줄래 내가 뛰면 함께 뛰어줄래 숫자를 세어봐 열기를 느껴 하나 둘 셋 에코 에 에 머릿속에 위로 위로 아직 멈추지 마 왼쪽 오른쪽 흐름을 느껴 두 손이 만나야 울림이 빛나 에코 에 에 크게 말해봐 나 나 나 지금 우리 소리를 들어봐 한 목소리로는 대지를 흔들 수 없어 두 손이 맞부딪혀야 울림이 나 혼자일 때는 고요했지 이제는 혼자가 아니란 걸 느껴 네가 다시 노래를 불러줄 때 그게 바로 내가 믿는 순간이야 에코 에 에 머릿속에 손을 높이 들어 잊지 마 왼쪽 오른쪽 지금 흔들어 두 손이 맞부딪혀야 울림이 나 에코 에 에 크게 말해봐 나 나 나 군중을 느껴봐 한 목소리로는 대지를 흔들 수 없어 두 손이 맞부딪혀야 울림이 나 이제 손을 들어봐 에코 에 에 이제 함께해

Summary

The idiom 'Gojangnanmyeong' (孤掌難鳴) literally translates to 'a single palm cannot make a sound.' It emphasizes that significant achievements require cooperation and that even conflict cannot occur without an opponent.

Key Lessons

1

Great achievements are completed through cooperation, not through individual effort alone.

2

Since both conflict and harmony require a counterpart, we must respect the existence of others.

3

Recognizing one's own limitations and seeking help from those around you is a sign of true wisdom.

Origin & Background

Originating from the 'Gongdo' chapter of the Han Feizi, this idiom uses the physical impossibility of clapping with one hand as a metaphor for human relationships and social cooperation. It teaches that no matter how talented an individual may be, they cannot create meaningful change in isolation. Just as a harmonious sound requires two palms to meet, success requires a partner or a peer. Modern interpretations, such as those found in song lyrics, remind us that a single voice cannot shake the earth; it is the collision of two hands that creates a resonant echo.

Modern Application Examples

Situation

A developer with a brilliant app idea struggles to bring the vision to life alone.

Action

They form a team with a planner and a designer to combine their specialized expertise.

Lesson

An idea is just a seed; execution requires a partnership to bloom.

Situation

A project in a corporate setting stalls due to a lack of communication between departments.

Action

The manager listens to the perspectives of other departments and builds a collaborative workflow to create synergy.

Lesson

Mutual interaction produces results far superior to arbitrary, unilateral progress.

Situation

A social campaign is launched, but it fails to gain any traction or public response.

Action

The organizers partner with influencers and civic groups to foster two-way communication and encourage public participation.

Lesson

For an echo to resound, there must be a responding clap to the initial call.

English Vocabulary

echo

메아리, 울림

"The shout created a loud echo in the cave."

spark

불꽃, 번뜩임

"A single spark can start a big fire."

setting the pace

속도를 정하다, 선도하다

"The runner at the front is setting the pace for the race."

instantly

즉각적으로

"He recognized her instantly among the crowd."

shake the ground

대지를 흔들다

"The heavy thunder seemed to shake the ground."

side by side

나란히, 함께

"We walked side by side along the beach."

losing control

통제력을 잃다

"The driver started losing control on the icy road."

shines

빛나다

"The moon shines brightly tonight."

neon glow

네온 불빛

"The city was filled with a colorful neon glow."

count it in

박자를 맞추다, 숫자를 세다

"Before the song starts, the drummer will count it in."

Learning Quiz

Question 1 / 5

가사 중 'One voice never shakes the ground'가 의미하는 사자성어 '고장난명(孤掌難鳴)'의 뜻은 무엇인가요?

고장난명은 '외손뼉은 울릴 수 없다'는 뜻으로, 혼자서는 어떤 일을 이루기 어렵거나 협력이 필요함을 의미합니다.

Question 2 / 5

다음 중 'instantly'와 의미가 가장 가까운 것은?

instantly와 immediately는 모두 '즉시, 즉각적으로'라는 의미를 가지고 있습니다.

Question 3 / 5

가사에서 'Two hands make the echo sound'는 무엇을 강조하고 있나요?

두 손이 맞부딪혀야 소리가 난다는 표현은 협동과 조화의 중요성을 강조합니다.

Question 4 / 5

다음 중 'Setting the pace'의 올바른 의미는?

'Set the pace'는 어떤 활동의 속도나 기준을 선도하여 정한다는 뜻입니다.

Question 5 / 5

가사 속 'Side by side'의 문맥상 의미로 적절한 것은?

'Side by side'는 옆에 나란히, 즉 함께 협력하는 상태를 나타냅니다.

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孤掌難鳴 Story Cartoon
孤掌難鳴 Story Cartoon

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孤掌難鳴 Hanja Formation
孤掌難鳴 Hanja Formation

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K-Pop Dance Pop Electropop Club-Ready
#Vibrant #Addictive #Exciting #Playful #Bold

Mood

Tempo

Energy

Recommended For

,

About This Music

This energetic track reimagines the classic idiom 'Gojang-nan-myeong' (it takes two hands to clap) through the lens of modern K-Pop dance music. Built upon a heavy club beat, its bouncy vocal lines create a powerful and unforgettable sense of addiction for the listener. The song evokes the feeling of dancing under brilliant spotlights, boosting confidence with its bold and playful atmosphere. With its sophisticated sound design and a chorus that is easy for anyone to sing along to, it is a truly captivating piece.

Musical Composition

🎸 Instruments

, , , , ,

🎤 Vocals

A female idol group style featuring clean diction and bright tones, characterized by rich vocal harmonies and call-and-response ad-libs.

🎛️ Production

A polished pop production with a clear structure of build-ups and drops, highlighted by a modern and smooth sound design texture.

🌏 Cultural Elements

A fusion of modern Western club sounds and the performance-oriented complexity unique to K-Pop idols.

📖 Music Glossary

Four-on-the-floor

A rhythmic pattern where the kick drum is played steadily on every beat in 4/4 time.

💡 In this song: It maintains a strong club-ready beat throughout the song, forming the rhythmic foundation that makes it perfect for dancing.

Sidechaining

A technique where the volume of one instrument is momentarily lowered when another (usually the kick) sounds, creating a 'pumping' effect.

💡 In this song: Applied to the synth pluck sounds, this technique adds rhythmic tension and release to the track.

Topline

The main melody and lyrical line that sits on top of the instrumental backing.

💡 In this song: The vocal melody incorporates syncopation to give the track a bouncy and elastic energy.

Drop

The highlight section of a song where rhythm and bass explode after a build-up of energy.

💡 In this song: It bursts out with intense synth leads following the pre-chorus, peaking the song's energy level.

Vocal Chops

A technique where vocal samples are cut into short pieces and arranged like an instrument to create rhythmic sounds.

💡 In this song: Used as a background element to add sophistication and emphasize the track's modern sensibility.

Bridge

A section in the middle of a song that changes the mood to serve as a transition toward the final chorus.

💡 In this song: The instrumentation is stripped back here to momentarily release tension before exploding with even greater energy at the end.

🎶 Similar Tracks

ITZY - WANNABE

Shares a very similar vibe through its confident lyrics and energetic house-beat-based dance-pop style.

aespa - Next Level

Resembles this track with its sophisticated synth sounds, addictive hook, and powerful vocal delivery.

TWICE - I CAN'T STOP ME

The fast-tempo synthwave/dance-pop sensibility and the catchy melody lines are quite comparable.

Everglow - Adios

The intense beat drops and the focus on a grand club sound align well with the atmosphere of this song.

My Experience

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