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달면 삼키고 쓰면 뱉는다 Dalmyeon Samkigo Sseumyeon Baetneunda - Take the good and leave the bad.

 

📚 Korean Proverb

달면 삼키고 쓰면 뱉는다

Romanization

Dalmyeon Samkigo Sseumyeon Baetneunda



🌟 English Hook

True character is revealed not when life is easy, but when things become difficult. This Korean proverb reminds us that people who only accept what benefits them often abandon what is inconvenient or uncomfortable.

🇺🇸 English Equivalent

Take the good and leave the bad. (Literal Sense)

Closest English Equivalents

  • Fair-weather friend. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • Only in it for themselves.

  • People only stay when it's convenient.

  • Use people and throw them away. (Contextual meaning)

📖 Literal Meaning

The proverb literally means "If it's sweet, swallow it; if it's bitter, spit it out."

People naturally enjoy sweet things and reject bitter ones. The proverb uses this simple image to describe people who only accept what benefits them while immediately rejecting anything unpleasant.

💡 Figurative Meaning

This proverb criticizes selfish people who only seek personal gain.

They happily accept benefits, praise, money, or convenience but quickly walk away when responsibility, sacrifice, or hardship appears.

It describes opportunistic behavior rather than genuine loyalty or integrity.

💬 Example Sentences

"He disappeared as soon as the company faced financial difficulties. He only stayed when everything was going well."

"Some people only help others when they expect something in return."

"True friends stay with you during both good times and bad—not just when life is sweet."

🎓 Why Koreans Say This

Korean culture highly values loyalty, responsibility, and perseverance.

This proverb reminds people that integrity means accepting both the pleasant and the difficult parts of life, relationships, and work.

People who only seek benefits often lose the trust and respect of others.

❤️ Life Lesson

Character is measured by how you respond when things become difficult.

Be loyal during hardship, keep your promises, and don't abandon people simply because the situation is no longer convenient.

Integrity is choosing what is right—not merely what is easy.

🗣️ Learn Korean

달다 (Dalda) = To be sweet

삼키다 (Samkida) = To swallow

쓰다 (Sseuda) = To be bitter

뱉다 (Baetda) = To spit out

⭐ Fun Fact

This is one of Korea's most frequently used proverbs when discussing business ethics, politics, friendships, and personal relationships.

It is often used to describe people who act only in their own self-interest.

🏷️ SEO Keywords

Korean Proverbs, Learn Korean, Korean Culture, Korean Wisdom, Integrity, Loyalty, Fair-weather Friends, Korean Language, Life Lessons, BB MASTER SERIES

#️⃣ Hashtags

#KoreanProverbs #LearnKorean #KoreanCulture #Integrity #Loyalty #FairWeatherFriend #KoreanWisdom #BBMasterSeries #LearnKoreanThroughProverbs #ProverbOfTheDay

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