Korean Idioms: 입이 무겁다/ 입이 가볍다

Miri Choi
Miri Choi
Sep 3, 2018 · 2 min read

입이 무겁다 [ibi mugeobda]

Literal meaning: The mouth (or lips) is heavy

Translation: to hold secrets well

입 [ib]: mouth

이 [i]: (consonant +) subject marker

무겁다 [mugeobda]: heavy

A: 이거 비밀이야. 아무한테도 말하면 안돼!

[igeo bimiriya amuhantedo malhamyeon andwe]

It’s a secret. Do not tell to anybody!

B: 걱정마.. 나 입 무거워.

[geokjeongma na ib mugeoweo]

No worries.. I’m very tight-lipped.

입이 가볍다 [ibi gabyeobda]/ 입이 싸다 [ibi ssada]

Literal meaning: The mouth (or lips) is light/ cheap

Translation: to tell secrets easily, not to be able to keep a secret

입 [ib]: mouth

이 [i]: (consonant +) subject marker

가볍다 [gabyeobda]: light

싸다 [ssada]: cheap

A: 수진이에게만 비밀을 말했는데 이젠 우리반 애들이 모두 알고있어..

[sujiniegeman bimireul malhenneunde ijen uriban edeuri modu algoisseo]

I told the secret only to Sujin, but now all my classmates know about it..

B: 걔 입 진짜 가볍다!

[gye ib jinjja gabyeobda]

She has a big mouth!

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Miri Choi

Written by

Miri Choi

Korean teacher and content creator @ Organic Korean http://organickorean.com

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