손이 크다

son-i keudaidiom
generous

그는 손이 커서 친구들에게 항상 밥을 사 줬다.

He's so generous that he always buys meals for his friends.


What It Really Means
generous in sharing resources or helping others
Literal Meaning
to have big hands
Literal Breakdown
hand+크다to be big
Mental Image
A mental picture of someone with large hands effortlessly giving away money, food, or gifts to others.
When to Use
Describing a person who buys meals for a large group of friends or donates generously to charity.
Cultural Note
Generosity is a core value in Korean social interactions, often tied to concepts of community and mutual support. The idiom reflects this cultural emphasis on open-handedness.
informal

generous in giving or spending money, time, or effort

선생님은 학생들에게 책을 많이 선물하시잖아요. 정말 손이 크세요.

The teacher gives many books to students. You're really generous.

그녀는 손이 커서 결혼식 때 많은 사람들에게 선물을 준비했다.

She's so generous that she prepared gifts for many people at the wedding.

Often used to describe someone who freely shares resources or helps others without hesitation.

Related Phrases

마음이 넓다phrase
to be broad-minded or generous
인심이 좋다phrase
to be generous or kind-hearted

Pro Tip

Cultural Context

In Korean culture, generosity (손이 크다) is highly valued, especially in social gatherings like meals or celebrations. Complimenting someone's generosity can strengthen social bonds.

Gold Rule

Usage Scenario

Use '손이 크다' when someone freely shares food, gifts, or time, not for abstract generosity like ideas or emotions.

Word Origin

The idiom combines '손' (hand) and '크다' (big), metaphorically suggesting that someone's 'hands' are large enough to hold and give away more resources.

Usage Notes

Primarily used in social or interpersonal contexts to describe generosity. Not typically used for professional or formal settings unless describing a person's character.

Word Breakdown

hand (metaphorically representing the ability to give or share)
noun
+
크다
to be big or large
adjective
한영사전