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말은 바람이다

mal-eun baram-ida
proverb★Intermediate— words are empty promises◆proverb
◆ 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

Antonyms

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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