Korean Proverbs: 1. 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌다

Introduction

Literal Translation

Figurative Interpretation

English Equivalent

Synonyms

• "가까운 친구가 원수가 된다" (A close friend becomes an enemy)

• "집 안의 도둑이 제일 나쁘다" (A thief inside the house is the worst)

Antonyms

• "가까운 이웃이 먼 친척보다 낫다" (A close neighbor is better than a distant relative)

• "집안의 화목이 제일이다" (Harmony in the household is the best)

Examples

1. Business Context: Imagine a situation where a company relies heavily on a single supplier for its key components. Suddenly, the supplier raises the prices unexpectedly, causing significant issues for the company. In this situation, someone might remark, “우리는 그 공급업체를 믿었는데, 결국 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 셈이네요.” (Translation: "We trusted that supplier, but it turned out to be a case of '믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌다.'")

2. Personal Relationships: Consider a scenario where a person confides a secret to a close friend, only to find out later that the friend has shared this information with others. Feeling betrayed, they might use the proverb, saying, “나는 그녀를 완전히 신뢰했는데, 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 격이 되었어.” (Translation: "I completely trusted her, but it ended up being a case of '믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌다.'")

3. Politics or Governance: In the realm of politics, a leader might be highly trusted by the public, but later make a decision that goes against the public's interest. People might comment, “그 정치인을 많이 믿었는데, 결국은 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 상황이 되었네요.” (Translation: "We had a lot of trust in that politician, but it ended up being a case of '믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌다.'")

4. Online Security: When a widely used and trusted software is found to have a significant security flaw that causes harm to its users, one might use the proverb to describe the situation: “이 소프트웨어는 널리 신뢰받았지만, 큰 보안 문제로 인해 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 것 같아요.” (Translation: "This software was widely trusted, but due to a major security issue, it's like '믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌다.'")

5. Business Partnership: In business, a company might form a partnership with another firm, trusting them for mutual growth. However, if the partner company exploits the agreement for its own benefit, the betrayed company might reflect, "우리는 그들과의 파트너십을 매우 신뢰했는데, 결국 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 상황이 되었어요." (Translation: "We highly trusted our partnership with them, but it turned out to be a case of 'getting your foot chopped by the axe you trust.'")

6. Close Friendship: In personal relationships, a person might deeply trust a friend with personal information or secrets. If that friend betrays their trust, the person might lament, “내가 그 친구를 얼마나 믿었는지 몰라. 하지만 그가 나를 배신했어. 정말 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 것 같아.” (Translation: "You don't know how much I trusted that friend. But he betrayed me. It really feels like 'getting your foot chopped by the axe you trust.'")

7. Family Trust: Within a family, a parent may trust their child to manage family affairs or finances responsibly. If the child mismanages or abuses this trust, the parent could say, “우리 아이를 무조건 신뢰했는데, 그 신뢰가 무너졌어. 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 교훈을 얻었지.” (Translation: "I trusted our child unconditionally, but that trust was broken. I learned the lesson of 'getting your foot chopped by the axe you trust.'")

8. Trusted Advisor's Misguidance: In a professional setting, a trusted advisor or mentor may provide guidance or advice. If their advice turns out to be detrimental, one might reflect, “그 조언자를 완전히 신뢰했는데, 그의 조언이 오히려 해가 되었어. 이게 바로 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍히는 거야.” (Translation: "I completely trusted that advisor, but their advice turned out to be harmful. This is exactly 'getting your foot chopped by the axe you trust.'")

9. Healthcare Trust: In healthcare, patients put immense trust in their doctors. If a doctor’s negligence leads to a worsened condition, the patient or family might say, “의사를 신뢰했는데, 그 신뢰가 환자에게 해를 끼쳤어. 이게 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍히는 일이지.” (Translation: "We trusted the doctor, but that trust harmed the patient. This is 'getting your foot chopped by the axe you trust.'")

Simple Dialogues

1. 가: "저는 그 비즈니스 파트너를 완전히 신뢰했어요."
   나: "그랬는데요?"
   가: "네, 하지만 그들이 우리를 속였어요. 진짜 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 겁니다."
Translation
가: "I completely trusted that business partner."
나: "Did you?"
가: "Yes, but they deceived us. It's truly a case of 'getting your foot chopped by the axe you trust.'”

2. 가: "친구가 내 비밀을 다른 사람들에게 말했어."
   나: "정말요? 그게 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌다는 거군요."
Translation
가: "My friend told others my secret."
나: "Really? That's like 'getting your foot chopped by the axe you trust.'"

3. 가: "우리 아이가 가족 사업을 망쳤어요."
   나: "어떻게요?"
   가: "잘못된 결정을 내렸죠. 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 사례예요."
Translation
가: "Our child ruined the family business."
나: "How so?"
가: "They made poor decisions. It's a typical case of 'getting your foot chopped by the axe you trust.'"

4. 가: "제가 선생님의 조언을 따랐는데, 결과가 좋지 않았어요."
   나: "그런 일이 있나요?"
   가: "네, 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 것 같아요."
Translation
가: "I followed the teacher's advice, but it didn’t turn out well."
나: "Did that happen?"
가: "Yes, it feels like 'getting your foot chopped by the axe you trust.'"

5. 가: "저는 그 의사를 믿었는데, 치료가 잘못되었어요."
   나: "그런 일이 있었군요."
   가: "네, 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌 거죠."
Translation
가: "I trusted that doctor, but the treatment went wrong."
나: "That’s unfortunate."
가: "Yes, it's like 'getting your foot chopped by the axe you trust.'"
 

Dialogue

Conclusion