Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다 Bogi joeun tteogi meokgi-do jota
What looks attractive on the surface is likely better in quality, or conversely, a warning that superficial appeal shouldn't trick you into ignoring substance.
What does 보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다 mean?
보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다 (Bogi joeun tteogi meokgi-do jota) means: What looks attractive on the surface is likely better in quality, or conversely, a warning that superficial appeal shouldn't trick you into ignoring substance.
Speakers use this proverb when pointing out that an attractive external appearance suggests a corresponding inner quality. It appears in contexts discussing how presentation and underlying value often align. The expression presents this alignment as a natural observation about how things are made or judged.
While the literal dictionary sense emphasizes that outward beauty reflects inner quality, speakers often use this expression ironically or critically in modern contexts to mean the exact opposite—that something flashy has been prioritized over actual substance or quality.
While the literal dictionary sense emphasizes that outward beauty reflects inner quality, speakers often use this expression ironically or critically in modern contexts to mean the exact opposite—that something flashy has been prioritized over actual substance or quality.
Other sides of 보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다
◆ Food and Dining — Speakers use this proverb when commenting on the visual presentation of food and how appearance whets the appetite. It appears in dining contexts to describe dishes that are carefully plated and visually appealing. It is deployed as a standalone remark or supporting comment regarding meal preparation.
When applied directly to a meal, this can sound like a playful endorsement of aesthetic effort in cooking, though it originates from a broader saying about substance matching style.
When applied directly to a meal, this can sound like a playful endorsement of aesthetic effort in cooking, though it originates from a broader saying about substance matching style.
🎙️ 보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [보기 조은 떠기 먹끼도 조타]로 소리나요 (ㅎ탈락, 격음화, 경음화, 연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 겉모양이 좋으면 내용도 좋음을 비유적으로 이르는 말.
geot-moyang-i jo-eumyeon naeyong-do jo-eum-eul biyu-jeok-uro ireuneun mal.
A saying used metaphorically to mean that if the appearance is good, the contents are also good.
💡 Defining the primary sense of the proverb. - 내용뿐만 아니라 겉모양을 잘 꾸미는 것도 중요함을 비유적으로 이르는 말.
naeyong-ppunman anira geot-moyang-eul jal kkumineun geotdo jung-yoham-eul biyu-jeok-uro ireuneun mal.
A saying used metaphorically to mean that decorating the appearance well, not just the contents, is important.
💡 Defining the secondary sense of the proverb. - 보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다더니, 이 옷은 예쁜 만큼 입었을 때도 정말 편하다.
bogi jo-eun tteog-i meokgi-do jotadoni, i os-eun yeppeun mankeum ib-eosseul ttaedo jeongmal pyeonhada.
They say what looks good tastes good too, and just as this clothing is pretty, it is really comfortable to wear.
💡 Applying the proverb to an object that matches its good appearance with good quality.
Related words in Social Situations
보기에는 bogieneun본전 bonjeon병 주고 약 준다 Byeong jugo yak junda찬밥 신세 Chanbap sinse찬물을 끼얹다 Chanmureul kkianhda