Nuance Dictionary / Grit, Survival, & Hardship
산전수전(다 겪다) san-jeon-su-jeon
To have gone through all sorts of extreme hardships and life battles; a seasoned veteran
What does 산전수전(다 겪다) mean?
산전수전(다 겪다) (san-jeon-su-jeon) means: To have gone through all sorts of extreme hardships and life battles; a seasoned veteran.
Literally 'mountain battles and water battles'. Someone who has seen and survived everything.
🎙️ 산전수전다 겪다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [산전수전다 격따]로 소리나요 (경음화, 받침규칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 나는 회사에서 산전수전을 다 겪어서 웬만한 일에는 놀라지도 않아.
Naneun hoesaeseo sanjeonsu-jeoreul da gyeok-eoseo wenmanhan ire-neun nollajido anha.
I've been through every kind of hardship at work, so nothing really surprises me anymore.
💡 Used to emphasize extensive life or work experience. - 그 팀장님은 사회에서 산전수전을 겪은 분이라 눈빛만 봐도 다 알아.
Geu timjangnim-eun sahoeeseo sanjeonsu-jeoreul gyeok-eun bunira nunbitman bwado da ara.
That team leader has seen it all in the real world, so they can tell what's going on just by a look.
💡 Often used to describe a veteran who is hard to fool. - 그 팀장님은 회사에서 산전수전을 다 겪은 분이라 웬만한 위기에는 눈 하나 깜짝 안 한다.
geu timjangnimeun hoesaseo sanjeonsujeoneul da gyeokkeun bunira wenmanhan wigieneun nun hana kkamjjak an handa.
That team leader is a veteran who has been through all sorts of hardships, so minor crises don't even faze him.
💡 Used to describe someone extremely resilient and experienced due to hardships.
Related words in Grit, Survival, & Hardship
요령(을 피우다) yo-ryeong악착같이 ak-chak-ga-chi기(를) 쓰다 gi-reul-sseu-da고군분투(하다) go-gun-bun-tu발버둥(치다) bal-beo-dung