말은 바람이다

mal-eun baram-ida◆proverb

words are empty promises

그는 말만 하고 행동하지 않아. 말은 바람이야.

He only talks but doesn't act. Words are just wind.

◆ What It Really Means

Words without actions are meaningless or unreliable.

¶ Literal Meaning

Words are like the wind.

Literal Breakdown

말은words+바람이다are like the wind

◇ Mental Image

The proverb evokes the image of wind as something intangible and fleeting, much like empty words.

◈ When to Use

When someone makes a promise but doesn't follow through, you might say '말은 바람이다' to express that their words are unreliable.

◉ Cultural Note

This proverb reflects the Korean cultural value of valuing actions over empty words, emphasizing honesty and reliability in communication.

informal

A proverb meaning that words without actions are meaningless or unreliable, similar to how wind is intangible and fleeting.

약속은 말만 하고 이행하지 않으면 말은 바람이다.

If you make promises but don't follow through, words are just wind.

그는 항상 좋은 말을 하지만 행동은 없다. 말은 바람이다.

He always says nice things but never acts. Words are just wind.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of actions over empty words.

Synonyms

말만 하고 행동은 없다 행동이 없다면 말은 의미가 없다

Antonyms

말과 행동이 일치한다 행동으로 증명한다

Related Phrases

말은 쉽게 한다proverb

It's easy to talk

행동이 말보다 중요하다proverb

Actions speak louder than words

Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use this proverb when someone makes promises but doesn't act on them.

Gold Rule

Proverb Interpretation

Always interpret this proverb in the context of empty promises or unreliable words.

Word Origin

Derived from the observation that wind is invisible and fleeting, just like empty words.

Usage Notes

This proverb is often used to criticize people who make promises but fail to follow through with actions.

Word Breakdown

말은

words

noun

바람이다

are like the wind

metaphor

한영사전

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