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노력한 것이 무위로 돌아간다

noryeokhan geosi muuiro doraganda
phrase★Intermediate— all efforts come to nothing
◆ What It Really Means
The futility of efforts that do not yield the expected results, often due to external factors.
¶ Literal Meaning
The thing that was done with effort returns to nothingness.
Literal Breakdown
노력한done with effort+것이thing+무위로in vain+돌아간다returns
◇ Mental Image
The mental image of efforts returning to a state of nothingness, as if they were never made.
◈ When to Use
A person who has worked hard on a project for years sees it fail due to unforeseen circumstances, expressing their disappointment with this phrase.
◉ Cultural Note
This phrase reflects a cultural emphasis on the value of effort and the frustration that can arise when that effort is not rewarded.
informal

To have one's hard work and efforts result in failure or be wasted, often due to circumstances beyond one's control.

10년 동안 준비한 프로젝트가 무위로 돌아갔다.

The project I prepared for 10 years came to nothing.

그들의 희생이 결국 무위로 돌아갔다.

Their sacrifices ultimately went to waste.

💡

This phrase is often used to express frustration or disappointment when efforts do not yield the expected results.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

노력이 헛된 결과가 되다phrase
efforts result in nothing
노력이 수포로 돌아가다phrase
efforts come to nothing

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This phrase is often used when someone has invested significant time and effort into something, only to see it fail or not achieve the intended result.

⚡Gold Rule

Emotional Tone

The phrase carries a strong sense of disappointment or frustration, so it should be used carefully in sensitive situations.

📖Word Origin

The phrase combines '노력' (effort) and '무위로 돌아간다' (to return to nothingness), emphasizing the futility of efforts.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to express disappointment or frustration when efforts do not achieve the desired outcome.

Word Breakdown

노력한
effort
root
+
것이
thing
root
+
무위로
in vain
root
+
돌아간다
returns
root
한영사전

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