Korean is full of fun idiomatic expressions that use body parts to describe personality or social behavior. Three popular ones you’ll hear often are:
- 손이 크다 – Someone who’s super generous
- 발이 넓다 – Someone who knows a lot of people
- 마당발 – Someone really well-connected
Let’s break down what each one means, how it’s used, and some natural example sentences to help you understand these expressions in real life!
What Does 손이 크다 (son-i keuda) Mean?
Literal Meaning:
“To have big hands”
Real Meaning:
This expression is used to describe someone who’s very generous, especially when it comes to preparing food or giving to others. Think of someone who always makes too much food for guests or buys gifts for everyone.
✅ Example Sentences:
- 어머니는 손이 커서 반찬을 항상 넉넉하게 만드세요.
(My mom is generous, so she always makes plenty of side dishes.) - 나는 손이 커서 요리 한 번 하면 항상 음식을 너무 많이 만들어버려.
(Because I’m generous, I always end up cooking way too much food.)
📝 Usage Tip:
Use this when talking about hospitality, gift-giving, or cooking — it’s often a compliment!
What Does 발이 넓다 (bal-i neolbda) Mean?
Literal Meaning:
“To have wide feet”
Real Meaning:
No, it doesn’t mean your shoes don’t fit. This idiom refers to someone who has a broad social network. They seem to know someone everywhere they go — helpful in both social and business settings!
✅ Example Sentences:
- 지수는 발이 넓어서 어디를 가든 아는 사람이 있어요.
(Jisoo knows someone wherever she goes because she has a wide social network.) - 그는 발이 넓다 보니 좋은 기회를 자주 얻어요.
(He often gets good opportunities because he knows many people.)
📝 Usage Tip:
Perfect to describe someone who’s always “plugged in” — socially, professionally, or both.
What Does 마당발 (madangbal) Mean?
Literal Meaning:
“Yard feet” (feet so wide they fill a yard!)
Real Meaning:
This is a playful nickname for someone who is super well-connected — like, they know celebrities and the BBQ restaurant owner. It’s a more casual, humorous way to say someone’s social circle is huge.
✅ Example Sentences:
- 민수는 마당발이라서 연예인부터 정치인까지 다 알아요.
(Minsu is so well-connected — he knows everyone from celebrities to politicians.) - 우리 사장님은 진짜 마당발이야. 모르는 사람이 없어요.
(Our boss is a real social butterfly. He knows everyone.)
📝 Usage Tip:
Used more in spoken Korean, often to admire or tease someone who seems to know everyone.
Final Thoughts
If you want to sound more natural and fluent in Korean, using expressions like 손이 크다, 발이 넓다, and 마당발 will give your language a huge upgrade.
Not only will you understand K-dramas better, but you’ll also be able to describe your friends, coworkers, or even yourself in fun, authentic ways. These idioms paint vivid pictures — and now, you know exactly how to use them!
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