우물 안 개구리

umul an gaeguri
phraseIntermediateidiom
What It Really Means
A person with a very limited or narrow perspective, often due to lack of experience or exposure to the wider world.
Literal Meaning
A frog inside a well.
Literal Breakdown
우물well+inside+개구리frog
Mental Image
The image of a frog living in a well, only able to see a small portion of the sky, symbolizing a limited perspective.
When to Use
When someone is criticized for not understanding broader issues or for being narrow-minded, this idiom is used to describe their limited worldview.
Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the Korean cultural value of broad-mindedness and the importance of gaining diverse experiences to understand the world better.
informal

A person with a very limited or narrow perspective, often due to lack of experience or exposure to the wider world.

그는 우물 안 개구리처럼 세상의 변화를 전혀 모르는 것 같아.

He seems to be like a frog in a well, completely unaware of the changes in the world.

그 마을 사람들은 우물 안 개구리처럼 좁은 시야를 가지고 있어.

The people in that village have a narrow-minded perspective like frogs in a well.

💡

This idiom is often used to describe someone who is ignorant or unaware of broader perspectives due to their limited experiences.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

우물 안 개구리처럼idiom
Like a frog in a well (having a very limited perspective)

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is often used in a critical or negative context to describe someone's limited worldview.

📖Word Origin

The idiom originates from the idea of a frog living in a well, which can only see a small portion of the sky and thus has a very limited view of the world.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used to criticize someone's narrow-mindedness or lack of awareness about the broader world.

Word Breakdown

우물
well
noun
+
inside
noun
+
개구리
frog
noun
한영사전