(Korean proverb) not know one`s ass from one`s elbow = 낫 놓고 기역자도 모른다

낫 놓고 기역자도 모른다

낫 = sickle
놓고 =  놓다 = lay,put
기역자 = letter 'ㄱ'
모른다 =  do not know

This proverb literally means 'to not know the letter 'ㄱ' from a sickle'.
'ㄱ' is the first letter in the Korean alphabet, which resembles a sickle. So this expression suggests that someone is very ignorant and doesn`t know 'ㄱ' even though he watch a sickle which is shaped like 'ㄱ'

This expression is alike with 'not know one`s ass from one`s elbow' in English expression.

(Korean proverb) What`s learned in the cradle is carried to the grave = 세살 버릇 여든까지 간다

세살 버릇 여든까지 간다 = What`s learned in the cradle is carried to the grave

This phrase literally means 'a habit in 3 years old is carried to 80 years old'.

세살 = 3 years old
버릇 = habit
여든 까지 = until(to) 80 years old
간다 = 가다 = carry(go)
Literally, '가다' is same meaning as 'go' in English. However in this phrase, 'carry' is closer to '가다' than 'go'.

This originally means 'if somebody has a nasty habit in the childhood or infancy, It is very hard to change in adult'

Therefore, this phrase indicates the most important thing for person`s life is what`s learned in the chilhood.

My pet named ajung

Here is one of my family. Female and her name is ajung.

It`s called 아중 in Korean pronunciation.

Probably, she felt curious when I took a shot and tilted her head.

 

feels a bit sleepy.

She is in dreamland nearly more than 15hours a day.  

So lazy lady!!!

 

 She seemed to be in a daze.
What are you musing?

She changed her pose and went back to sleep.

 





(Korean proverb) Even Homer nods = 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다

The Korean proverb  '원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다.'
This literally means 'Even mokeys may fall from trees."

원숭이 = monkey
나무 = tree
~에서 = from
떨어진다  => 떨어지다 = fall

Thus this proverb originally means 'monkeys are expert in climbing trees but even monkeys make mistakes.'

원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다 = Even Homer nods

(Korean proverb) Look before you leap = 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라

 

In Korea, we have the proverb "돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라".



This proverb literally means "check the bridge before you cross even if bridge is made of stone".

돌다리 = stone bridge

두들겨 보고  => 두드려 보다 = tap on
: This phrase implies that you need to check the stone bridge if it is solid enough to cross to the other side. So checking the bridge with tapping on.

건너라 => 건너다 = cross

Therefore, original meaning of this Korean proverb is "beware of everything even if it is 100% sure"

"Look before you leap" is same as this Korean proverb.