The Korean proverb "병 주고 약 준다" is a frequently used expression that carries a deep and intriguing meaning. This article will explore the proverb's literal and figurative interpretations, compare it with similar English expressions, and examine its related synonyms and antonyms.
The Korean proverb "병 주고 약 준다" is a frequently used expression that carries a deep and intriguing meaning. This article will explore the proverb's literal and figurative interpretations, compare it with similar English expressions, and examine its related synonyms and antonyms.
Literal Translation
Literally, "병 주고 약 준다" translates to "giving a disease and then offering the medicine." This phrase might initially sound paradoxical, but it contains a deeper wisdom in its figurative usage.
Figurative Interpretation
Figuratively, this proverb refers to a situation where someone causes a problem or harm and then offers a solution or help to the very problem they created. It's akin to creating a problem only to solve it, often seen as an act to appear necessary or benevolent.
English Equivalent
The closest English equivalent is "to play both sides" or "to create a problem and then offer a solution." It is similar to the concept of "a double-edged sword," where the same action or person is the source of both harm and help.
Synonyms
"손해 보고 이득 보다" (To suffer a loss and then gain a benefit)
"일을 내고 해결하다" (To cause a problem and then solve it)
These synonyms emphasize the act of creating a difficulty and then resolving it, aligning with the original proverb's meaning.
Antonyms
"일관성 있는 행동" (Consistent behavior)
"해를 끼치지 않고 돕다" (To help without causing harm)
These antonyms describe actions or behaviors that are consistent and helpful without causing prior damage, contrasting with "병 주고 약 준다."
Usage Examples
Workplace Scenario: A manager creates an unrealistic deadline, causing stress among the team. Later, he offers to help the team meet this deadline, appearing supportive. A team member remarks, "이건 정말 병 주고 약 주는 꼴이야. 먼저 불가능한 기한을 설정하고 이제 와서 도와주겠다니." (Translation: "This is really 'giving a disease and then offering the medicine.' First, he sets an impossible deadline and now offers to help.")
Political Context: A politician supports a policy that causes public discontent, then proposes another policy to resolve the issues caused by the first. An observer notes, "그 정치인은 병 주고 약 준다는 속담을 실현하는 것 같아. 먼저 문제를 일으키고 해결책을 제시하니까." (Translation: "That politician seems to embody the saying 'giving a disease and then offering the medicine.' First causing the problem, then presenting a solution.")
Personal Relationships: A friend gives bad advice that leads to a problem, and then steps in to help fix the issue they caused. Another friend comments, "이건 마치 병 주고 약 주는 것 같아. 먼저 나쁜 조언을 하고, 이제 와서 문제를 해결하려 하다니." (Translation: "This is like 'giving a disease and then offering the medicine.' First giving bad advice and now trying to solve the problem.")
In a Team Project: A team member insists on an approach that complicates the project, then offers a solution to the complications they introduced. A colleague reflects, "그가 병 주고 약 주는 전략을 쓰는 것 같아. 처음에는 프로젝트를 복잡하게 만들고, 이제 와서 해결책을 제시하니까." (Translation: "It seems he's using the strategy of 'giving a disease and then offering the medicine.' First complicating the project, then offering a solution.")
Simple Dialogues
In a Family Setting: 가: "엄마가 먼저 나한테 엄격하게 규칙을 정해놓고, 이제 와서 내가 힘들어하니까 도와주겠다고 해." 나: "그거 진짜 병 주고 약 주는 거네. 먼저 규칙으로 문제 만들고 나서 도와주겠다니." (Translation: 가: "Mom first set strict rules for me, and now she's offering help seeing me struggle." 나: "That's really 'giving a disease and then offering the medicine.' Creating a problem with rules and then offering help.")
Among Friends: 가: "너가 추천한 그 영화 정말 지루했어. 이제 와서 좋은 영화 추천해준다고?" 나: "미안해, 병 주고 약 주는 거 같네. 먼저 실망시키고 이제 와서 만회하려고 하다니." (Translation: 가: "The movie you recommended was really boring. And now you're suggesting a good one?" 나: "Sorry, it's like 'giving a disease and then offering the medicine.' Disappointing first and then trying to make up for it.")
At School: 가: "선생님이 먼저 엄청 어려운 과제를 내주고, 이제 와서 도움을 주겠다고 하셔." 나: "아, 그래? 선생님이 병 주고 약 주는 거 같아. 먼저 힘들게 하고 도와주겠다니." (Translation: 가: "The teacher first gave us a very difficult assignment, and now offers to help." 나: "Oh, really? It seems like the teacher is 'giving a disease and then offering the medicine.' Making it hard first and then offering help.")
In a Sports Team: 가: "코치가 처음에는 엄청 힘든 훈련을 시켰어. 그리고 이제 와서 개인적으로 지도해주겠다고 해." 나: "그거 좀 병 주고 약 주는 상황 같은데? 먼저 고생시키고 이제 와서 도와주다니." (Translation: 가: "The coach initially made us do very tough training. And now he offers to give personal guidance." 나: "That seems like 'giving a disease and then offering the medicine.' Making us suffer first and then offering help.")
Dialogue
In a College Group Project: 가: "너희가 들었어? 지훈이가 우리 프로젝트 아이디어를 전부 바꿔놓았대." 나: "진짜? 그럼 우리 지금까지 한 건 다 소용없게 된 건가?" 다: "근데 이상한 게, 지훈이가 이제 와서 새 아이디어로 프로젝트를 진행하겠다고 자청하더라고." 라: "그게 무슨 말이야? 먼저 문제를 만들어놓고 해결하겠다는 건가?"
가: "맞아, 병 주고 약 준다는 말이 딱 들어맞아. 지훈이가 먼저 프로젝트를 망치고 이제 와서 영웅 행세를 하려고 하는 거야." 나: "우리가 수고로 작업한 걸 모두 무시하다니, 정말 화가 나네." 다: "이런 상황을 어떻게 처리해야 할까? 지훈이에게 말해야 하나?" 라: "아마도 우리는 그의 진짜 의도를 알아내고, 프로젝트를 원래대로 돌려놓는 게 중요할 것 같아."
가: "그래, 우리 모두가 협력해서 지훈이의 병 주고 약 주는 전략에 맞서야 해." 나: "맞아, 우리 팀의 노력이 헛되지 않도록 해야겠어."
In a College Group Project: 가: "Did you hear? Jihoon changed all our project ideas." 나: "Really? Does that mean all our work so far is useless?" 다: "But the weird thing is, Jihoon is now volunteering to lead the project with his new ideas." 라: "What does that mean? He creates a problem and now he wants to solve it?"
가: "Exactly, it's a perfect example of 'giving a disease and then offering the medicine.' Jihoon ruined the project and now he’s trying to play the hero." 나: "Ignoring all the hard work we did, that's really infuriating." 다: "How should we handle this situation? Should we talk to Jihoon?" 라: "Probably we need to understand his real intentions and work to get the project back on track."
가: "Right, we all need to collaborate to stand up against Jihoon’s 'giving a disease and then offering the medicine' strategy." 나: "Yes, we must ensure our team’s effort isn’t wasted."
Conclusion
"병 주고 약 준다" serves as a thought-provoking reminder of the complexities of human actions and intentions. It encourages a deeper look at the motives behind actions, especially those that seemingly oscillate between causing and solving problems. This proverb highlights the importance of evaluating the full scope of one's actions and their impact on others.
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