Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language
귀가 가렵다 Gwiga garyeopda
A folk belief that an itchy ear means someone is currently talking about you behind your back.
What does 귀가 가렵다 mean?
귀가 가렵다 (Gwiga garyeopda) means: A folk belief that an itchy ear means someone is currently talking about you behind your back.
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How it's actually used
- 갑자기 왜 이렇게 귀가 가렵지? 누가 내 욕 하나 봐.
Gapjagi wae ireoke gwiga garyeopji? Nuga nae yok hana bwa.
Why is my ear suddenly itching like this? Someone must be bad-mouthing me.
💡 Reveals the instant association between an itchy ear and being the current topic of neighborhood gossip. - 너 아까부터 귀 가렵지 않았어? 우리 다 네 얘기 하고 있었거든.
Neo akkabuteo gwi garyeopji anasseo? Uri da ne yaegi hago isseotdeun.
Hasn't your ear been itching since a minute ago? We were all talking about you.
💡 Used playfully to confirm the superstition when someone actually was the center of conversation. - 어쩐지 귀가 가렵더라니, 네가 여기서 내 얘기를 하고 있었구나.
Eojeonji gwiga garyeopdeirani, nega yeogiseo nae yaegireul hago isseotguna.
No wonder my ear was itching—you were the one talking about me here.
💡 Shows the classic 'aha!' moment when a physical itch meets social reality.