Vocapedia
Log inTry for Free
Log in

Looking up...

Words

  • Words of the Year
  • Recent Lookups
  • My Dictionary

Languages

  • English
  • Vietnamese
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Korean
  • German

Features

  • Words of the Year
  • My Collections List
  • Reviews
  • Learning Resources
  • Community Collections

Learn

  • How It Works
  • Study Guides
  • Language Tips
  • FAQ
  • Getting Started
  • For Individuals
  • For Teachers

Community

  • Forum
  • Blog
  • Help Center
  • Partnerships

About

  • About Vocapedia
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • GDPR Compliance
© 2026 Vocapedia. All rights reserved.

첫걸음이 반이다

cheotgeoreumi banida
proverb★Intermediate— The first step is half the journey◆proverb
◆ What It Really Means
The initial effort or action is the most important and constitutes a significant portion of the overall task or goal.
¶ Literal Meaning
The first step is half of it
Literal Breakdown
첫걸음first step+반이다is half
◇ Mental Image
The mental image of taking the first step in a journey, symbolizing the beginning of a significant endeavor.
◈ When to Use
Encouraging someone to start a new project or task by emphasizing the importance of the first step.
◉ Cultural Note
This proverb reflects the Korean cultural value of perseverance and the belief that the initial effort is crucial in achieving success.
informal

The initial effort or action is the most important and constitutes a significant portion of the overall task or goal.

새로운 사업을 시작할 때 첫걸음이 반이라고 생각합니다.

When starting a new business, I believe the first step is half the journey.

공부도 첫걸음이 반이니, 오늘부터 시작해 보세요.

Studying is also about the first step being half the journey, so start today.

💡

This proverb emphasizes the importance of taking the first step in any endeavor, as it often sets the tone and momentum for the rest of the process.

Synonyms

Related Phrases

시작이 반이다proverb
The beginning is half of it
첫걸음이 중요하다proverb
The first step is important

💡Pro Tip

Encouragement

Use this phrase to motivate someone who is hesitant to start a new task or project.

⚡Gold Rule

Motivational Use

This proverb is often used to inspire action and emphasize the importance of the first step in any endeavor.

📖Word Origin

The phrase originates from traditional Korean wisdom, highlighting the significance of the initial effort in achieving success.

📝Usage Notes

This proverb is commonly used to encourage someone to take the first step in a new endeavor, emphasizing that the initial action is crucial and often the most challenging part.

Word Breakdown

첫걸음
first step
phrase
+
반이다
is half
phrase
한영사전

Learning Progress

Track your learning journey!

• Save words to build your vocabulary

• Monitor your daily streak

• Get personalized review reminders

• See words learned statistics

Log in to access advanced features and track your progress!

Go to Dashboard →

Recent Lookups

The most recent words being looked up. Stay up to date with what language learners are exploring.