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귀가 얇다
gwi-ga yal-ta◆idiom
easily swayed by others
그는 귀가 얇아서 친구의 말 한마디에 쉽게 마음이 변한다.
He is easily swayed by others, so he changes his mind at the slightest word from a friend.
informal
to be easily influenced or convinced by what others say
그녀는 귀가 얇아서 모든 사람들의 조언을 곧이곧대로 믿는다.
She is so easily swayed that she takes everyone's advice at face value.
그는 귀가 얇아서rumor에 쉽게 넘어간다.
He is gullible and easily falls for rumors.
Often used to describe someone who lacks strong convictions or is overly trusting of others' opinions.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal translation
The phrase '귀가 얇다' does not refer to physical ear thickness. Focus on the metaphorical sense of being easily influenced by others' words.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use '귀가 얇다' for people who are easily swayed by others' opinions or advice, not for those who are simply polite or agreeable.
Word Origin
The phrase combines '귀' (ear) and '얇다' (thin), metaphorically implying that one's ears are 'thin' or 'soft,' making it easy for sounds (words) to pass through and influence them.
Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used in both casual and semi-formal contexts to describe someone who is easily influenced by others' words. It carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a lack of critical thinking or strong personal beliefs.
Word Breakdown
귀
ear
noun가
subject marker
particle얇다
thin
adjective한영사전