정지용 “향수”
Thematic
Analysis
Key
Takeaways
Grammatical
Analysis of the Poem
Introduction
to the Poet
✒️ 정지용 “향수”
넓은 벌 동쪽 끝으로
옛이야기 지줄대는 실개천이 휘돌아 나가고,
얼룩백이 황소가
해설피 금빛 게으른 울음을 우는 곳,
그 곳이 차마 꿈엔들 잊힐리야.
질화로에 재가 식어지면
비인 밭에 밤바람 소리 말을 달리고,
엷은 졸음에 겨운 늙으신 아버지가
짚 베개를 돋아 고이시는 곳,
그 곳이 차마 꿈엔들 잊힐리야.
흙에서 자란 내 마음
파아란 하늘 빛이 그리워
함부로 쏜 화살을 찾으러
풀섶 이슬에 함추름 휘적시던 곳,
그 곳이 차마 꿈엔들 잊힐리야.
전설(傳說) 바다에 춤추는 밤물결 같은
검은 귀밑머리 날리는 어린 누이와
아무렇지도 않고 예쁠 것도 없는
사철 발벗은 아내가
따가운 햇살을 등에 지고 이삭 줍던 곳,
그 곳이 차마 꿈엔들 잊힐리야.
하늘에는 성근 별
알 수도 없는 모래성으로 발을 옮기고,
서리 까마귀 우지짖고 지나가는 초라한 지붕,
흐릿한 불빛에 돌아앉아 도란도란 거리는 곳,
그 곳이 차마 꿈엔들 잊힐리야.
First
published in 1927, Jeong Ji-yong’s iconic poem “Nostalgia” captures a
deep, lyrical longing for home during Japanese colonial rule. The poet,
reflecting on his hometown of Okcheon in North Chungcheong Province while
studying abroad in Japan, paints vivid scenes of rural life, family warmth, and
pastoral tranquility. Through richly textured language and emotionally charged
imagery, the poem speaks to a universal yearning for a place where one once
felt whole and at peace.
Artist: Forte di Quattro (Go Hoon-jung, Kim Hyun-soo, Son Tae-jin, Lee
Byori)
Composer: Kim Hee-gap
Arrangement: Kim Jin-hwan
✒️ Thematic Analysis
Nostalgia conjures
a vivid emotional and sensory landscape of the poet’s childhood home—its
natural beauty, familial love, and communal simplicity. Jeong captures the
rhythm and rootedness of rural life through recurring images such as a broad
field, a murmuring brook, a dappled ox, a sleeping father, and a barefoot wife.
The repeated refrain, “그곳이
차마
꿈엔들
잊힐리야” (“How could I possibly forget that place, even in
dreams?”), Emphasizes the emotional depth of his longing and stitches each
stanza into a cohesive meditation on memory.
But
the poem transcends personal nostalgia. Written under colonial suppression, it
channels the collective grief of a people longing for lost autonomy and rooted
identity. Its use of native Korean expressions, earthy imagery, and folk
elements elevates the home as a personal space and a sacred symbol of cultural
integrity. Readers are drawn into a space that reminds them of their memories
and the aching warmth of a place they can no longer touch.
- Stanza 1
“넓은 벌 동쪽 끝으로 옛이야기
지줄대는
실개천이
휘돌아
나가고, / 얼룩백이
황소가
해설피
금빛
게으른
울음을
우는
곳, / 그
곳이
차마
꿈엔들
잊힐리야.”
“At
the far eastern edge of the wide field, / A murmuring brook full of old tales
winds along, / And a dappled ox lets out a lazy golden-hued lowing— / How could
I possibly forget that place, even in dreams?”
→
This stanza opens with a painterly image of the poet’s rural home at dusk. The
field stretches wide under fading light, the brook murmurs like a folktale
whispered by the land itself, and the ox cries out softly in the golden glow.
This place is not just remembered—it is imprinted on the poet’s soul,
inseparable from the essence of peace and belonging.
- Stanza 2
“질화로에
재가
식어지면
비인
밭에
밤바람
소리
말을
달리고, / 엷은
졸음에
겨운
늙으신
아버지가
짚
베개를
돋아
고이시는
곳, / 그
곳이
차마
꿈엔들
잊힐리야.”
“When
the ashes in the brazier cool and the night wind gallops over the empty fields,
/ My drowsy old father gently adjusts his straw pillow and lies down to rest— /
How could I possibly forget that place, even in dreams?”
→
The imagery of a wintry night brings warmth and intimacy. The cooling brazier
signifies the passage of time and seasons. The image of the aging father
preparing for sleep embodies tenderness, weariness, and love. The stanza
immortalizes these ordinary but sacred moments of family life that linger long
after one has left home.
- Stanza 3
“흙에서 자란 내 마음 파아란 하늘 빛이 그리워
/ 함부로
쏜
화살을
찾으러
풀섶
이슬에
함추름
휘적시던
곳, / 그
곳이
차마
꿈엔들
잊힐리야.”
“My
heart, grown from the soil, longs for the blue of the sky, / And the place
where I wandered, soaked in dewy grass, searching for a stray arrow— / How
could I possibly forget that place, even in dreams?”
→
Here, the poet reflects on youthful innocence and restlessness. The blue sky
becomes a metaphor for lofty ideals or dreams. The “arrow” may represent
impulsive actions or ambitions, while the dewy underbrush evokes dawn's fresh,
fragile beauty. It’s a return to a time when the poet was still becoming, still
searching.
- Stanza 4
“전설(傳說)
바다에
춤추는
밤물결
같은
검은
귀밑머리
날리는
어린
누이와 / 아무렇지도
않고
예쁠
것도
없는
사철
발벗은
아내가
따가운
햇살을
등에
지고
이삭
줍던
곳, / 그
곳이
차마
꿈엔들
잊힐리야.”
“Where
my little sister, with black hair like waves dancing on a mythic sea, played, /
And my barefoot wife, plain and unadorned, bent to glean rice in the harsh sun—
/ How could I possibly forget that place, even in dreams?”
→
The stanza radiates love for family and quiet endurance. The younger sister is
likened to a mythical figure, her presence magical and nostalgic. The wife,
enduring and hardworking, is sketched with humility and affection. These women
anchor the poet’s emotional world, evoking a domestic sacredness inseparable
from the land.
- Stanza 5
“하늘에는
성근
별 / 알
수도
없는
모래성으로
발을
옮기고, / 서리
까마귀
우지짖고
지나가는
초라한
지붕, / 흐릿한
불빛에
돌아앉아
도란도란
거리는
곳, / 그
곳이
차마
꿈엔들
잊힐리야.”
“Sparse
stars dot the sky above, / I step toward a castle of unknown sand, / Frost
crows caw over a humble roof, / And inside, faint light glows as voices whisper
gently— / How could I possibly forget that place, even in dreams?”
→
The poem closes with an atmosphere of fragility and intimacy. The stars appear
thin and distant, while the imagery of the sandcastle suggests the transient
nature of memory. The crow and faded rooftop paint a picture of hardship, yet
within, the soft murmur of voices evokes the warmth of human connection. It is
a tender contrast: the world outside is cold, but the hearth of memory glows
within.
🎯 Key Takeaways
1. 벌 / 벌판
"벌" and "벌판" refer to vast open
fields or plains. "벌판" is more descriptive
and explicit, while "벌" is often poetic or
literary.
📌
Example Usage
"넓은
벌에 바람이 불고 있었다."
"The
wind was blowing across the wide field."
"저
멀리 벌판이 펼쳐져 있다."
"A
vast plain stretches out over there."
🌀
Similar Expressions
들 / 들판 – another term meaning field, often used in agriculture or
landscape descriptions.
📌
Example Usage
"들판에는
벼가 누렇게 익어가고 있었다."
"The
rice in the fields was ripening golden."
2. 동쪽 / 서쪽 / 남쪽 / 북쪽
The four
cardinal directions are east, west, south, and north. They are often used in a spatial
or symbolic context.
📌
Example Usage
"해는
동쪽에서 떠서 서쪽으로 진다."
"The
sun rises in the east and sets in the west."
"북쪽
마을은 아직 눈이 안 녹았다."
"The
northern village still has snow."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
동녘 –
poetic expression for the eastern sky
📌
Example Usage
"동녘
하늘이 붉게 물들고 있었다."
"The
eastern sky was turning red."
3. 끝
"끝" means "end" or "edge," and can refer to a
conclusion, a physical boundary, or the final point of something.
📌
Example Usage
"길의
끝에는 작은 마을이 있었다."
"At
the road's end was a small village."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
마지막 –
“last” or “final”
📌
Example Usage
"그는
마지막 순간까지 최선을 다했다."
"He
did his best until the very end."
4. 옛이야기
"옛이야기" means "old story" or "folktale." It
refers to traditional narratives passed down through generations.
📌
Example Usage
"할머니가
들려주신 옛이야기가 생각난다."
"I
remember the old stories my grandmother used to tell."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
전설 –
“legend” or “myth”
📌
Example Usage
"그
마을에는 오래된 전설이 전해진다."
"An
old legend is passed down in that village."
5. 개천
"개천" means a small stream or brook, often used in the countryside
or traditional contexts.
📌
Example Usage
"개천
옆으로 버드나무가 늘어서 있었다."
"Willow
trees lined the small stream."
🌀
Similar Expressions
시냇물 –
“stream water” or “brook”
📌
Example Usage
"시냇물이
졸졸 흐르고 있었다."
"The
stream was trickling along."
6. 휘돌아 나가다
"휘돌아
나가다" means to swirl out or to wind its way out, often
used with rivers, smoke, or movement.
📌
Example Usage
"강물은
마을을 휘돌아 나갔다."
"The
river wound its way out around the village."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
굽이치다 –
“to meander” or “flow in curves”
📌
Example Usage
"산속
계곡물이 굽이쳐 흐른다."
"The
valley stream winds through the mountains."
7. 얼룩백이
"얼룩백이" refers to a creature, especially a cow, with blotchy
white-and-black or white-and-brown patches.
📌
Example Usage
"얼룩백이
소가 밭을 갈고 있었다."
"A
piebald cow was plowing the field."
🌀
Similar Expressions
점박이 –
“spotted” or “speckled”
📌
Example Usage
"점박이
고양이가 날 따라왔다."
"A
spotted cat followed me."
8. 황소
"황소" means a yellowish or brownish bull, often representing
strength and labor in Korean culture.
📌
Example Usage
"황소는
힘이 세고 성질이 급하다."
"The
brown bull is strong and quick-tempered."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
수소 –
more technical term for a male bovine (bull)
📌
Example Usage
"농장에서
수소를 키우고 있다."
"They're
raising bulls on the farm."
9. 금빛
"금빛" means golden light or golden color, often symbolizing beauty,
warmth, or luxury.
📌
Example Usage
"들판이
금빛 햇살에 물들었다."
"The
field was bathed in golden sunlight."
🌀
Similar Expressions
황금빛 –
“golden glow” or “gold-colored”
📌
Example Usage
"황금빛
들판이 펼쳐져 있었다."
"A
golden field spread out before us."
10. 게으르다
"게으르다" means to be lazy, sluggish, or unwilling to act quickly.
📌
Example Usage
"그는
너무 게을러서 아침 일찍 일어나지 못한다."
"He's
too lazy to wake up early in the morning."
🌀
Similar Expressions
나태하다 –
“indolent” or “neglectful”
📌
Example Usage
"나태한
태도는 성공을 방해한다."
"An
indolent attitude hinders success."
11. 울음을 울다
Literally,
"to cry a cry" emphasizes the act of crying with emotional weight,
and it is often used in poetic or literary contexts.
📌
Example Usage
"아이는
서럽게 울음을 울었다."
"The
child cried sorrowfully."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
눈물을 흘리다
– “to shed tears”
📌
Example Usage
"영화를
보며 눈물을 흘렸다."
"I
shed tears while watching the movie."
12. 그 곳
"그
곳" means "that place," referring to a specific
location previously mentioned or emotionally significant.
📌
Example Usage
"그
곳은 내가 태어난 고향이다."
"That
place is my hometown."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
그 자리 –
“that spot” or “that location”
📌
Example Usage
"그
자리에 그냥 서 있었다."
"I
just stood in that spot."
13. 차마
"차마" is an adverb used to express emotional difficulty or
reluctance, often translated as "can't bear to" or "unable to
bring oneself to."
📌
Example Usage
"차마
그 말을 할 수 없었다."
"I
couldn’t bring myself to say those words."
🌀
Similar Expressions
도저히 –
emphasizes impossibility or emotional strain
📌
Example Usage
"도저히
이해할 수 없다."
"I
absolutely can't understand."
14. 꿈
"꿈" means “dream,” used literally for dreams during sleep and
metaphorically for hopes and aspirations.
📌
Example Usage
"어젯밤에
이상한 꿈을 꿨어."
"I
had a strange dream last night."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
희망 –
“hope”
📌
Example Usage
"그는
희망을 품고 열심히 공부했다."
"He
studied hard with hope in his heart."
15. 잊히다 / 잊다
"잊다" means "to forget," and "잊히다" is the passive form, “to be forgotten.”
📌
Example Usage
"그
추억은 쉽게 잊히지 않는다."
"That
memory doesn’t fade easily."
🌀
Similar Expressions
기억에서 사라지다 – “to disappear from memory”
📌
Example Usage
"그날의
일은 점점 기억에서 사라졌다."
"The
events of that day slowly disappeared from memory."
16. 질화로 / 화로
"화로" is a brazier used for heating or cooking; "질화로" is a type of traditional Korean earthen brazier.
📌
Example Usage
"질화로에
불을 피워 방을 데웠다."
"They
lit a fire in the earthen brazier to warm the room."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
난로 –
“heater” or “stove”
📌
Example Usage
"겨울이면
난로 주변에 사람들이 모인다."
"People
gather around the stove in winter."
17. 재
"재" means “ash,” the remaining substance after burning.
📌
Example Usage
"모닥불이
꺼지고 재만 남았다."
"The
campfire went out, leaving only ashes."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
숯 –
“charcoal,” used in similar burning contexts
📌
Example Usage
"숯불에
고기를 구웠다."
"They
grilled meat over charcoal."
18. 식어지다 / 식다
"식다" means “to cool down” (temperature or emotion); "식어지다" is a more gradual or passive form.
📌
Example Usage
"국이
다 식어졌다."
"The
soup has completely cooled down."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
차가워지다 –
“to become cold”
📌
Example Usage
"커피가
차가워져서 맛이 없다."
"The
coffee became cold and lost its taste."
19. 밭
"밭" is a field or farmland, usually referring to dry fields for
crops (not rice paddies).
📌
Example Usage
"밭에서
고구마를 캤다."
"We
dug up sweet potatoes in the field."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
논 –
“rice paddy”
📌
Example Usage
"논에서는
벼를 재배한다."
"Rice
is cultivated in paddies."
20. 밤바람 소리
"밤바람
소리" means “sound of the night wind,” often used in poetic
or sentimental contexts.
📌
Example Usage
"창밖에서
밤바람 소리가 들렸다."
"I
heard the sound of the night wind outside the window."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
바람결 –
“in the wind,” often conveys nuance or tone
📌
Example Usage
"바람결에
꽃잎이 흩날렸다."
"The
flower petals scattered in the breeze."
21. 말을 달리다
"말을
달리다" means "to ride a horse at full speed" or
"to gallop." Often symbolizes speed, freedom, or determination.
📌
Example Usage
"그는
말을 달려 산을 넘었다."
"He
galloped across the mountain on his horse."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
질주하다 –
“to dash” or “to race”
📌
Example Usage
"자동차가
도로 위를 질주했다."
"The
car raced down the road."
22. 엷다
"엷다" means “to be faint, light, or pale,” often referring to
colors, sounds, or layers.
📌
Example Usage
"엷은
안개가 들판을 덮고 있었다."
"A
thin mist was covering the field."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
희미하다 –
“faint” or “dim”
📌
Example Usage
"희미한
기억만이 남아 있다."
"Only
faint memories remain."
23. 졸음에 겨운
"졸음에
겨운" means “drowsy” or “overcome with sleepiness.” It
describes a state of barely resisting sleep.
📌
Example Usage
"그는
졸음에 겨운 눈으로 책을 읽고 있었다."
"He
was reading the book with drowsy eyes."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
눈이 감기다 –
“eyes closing (from drowsiness)”
📌
Example Usage
"피곤해서
자꾸 눈이 감긴다."
"I’m
so tired that my eyes keep closing."
24. 늙다
"늙다" means “to grow old” or “to age.”
📌
Example Usage
"사람은
누구나 늙는다."
"Everyone
grows old."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
나이가 들다 –
“to get older”
📌
Example Usage
"나이가
들어도 꿈을 잃지 않았다."
"Even
as I aged, I never lost my dreams."
25. 아버지
"아버지" means “father,” a formal and respectful term for one’s dad.
📌
Example Usage
"아버지는
늘 묵묵히 일하셨다."
"My
father always worked quietly."
🌀
Similar Expressions
아빠 –
informal or affectionate form of “dad”
📌
Example Usage
"아빠, 같이 놀자!"
"Dad,
let’s play together!"
26. 짚 베게
"짚
베게" is a traditional Korean straw pillow, often
associated with rural life and older generations.
📌
Example Usage
"할아버지는
짚 베개를 베고 주무셨다."
"Grandfather
slept using a straw pillow."
🌀
Similar Expressions
베개 –
general term for “pillow”
📌
Example Usage
"베개가
너무 푹신해서 좋다."
"This
pillow is so soft and comfortable."
27. 흙에서 자라다
"흙에서
자라다" means “to grow from the soil,” often used
metaphorically to describe something or someone growing naturally and humbly.
📌
Example Usage
"그
식물은 흙에서 자라 햇빛을 받으며 컸다."
"The
plant grew from the soil under the sunlight."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
뿌리를 내리다
– “to take root”
📌
Example Usage
"도시에
와서 뿌리를 내리고 살고 있다."
"I’ve
settled down and taken root in the city."
28. 마음
"마음" means “mind,” “heart,” or “feelings,” depending on context.
It is a core concept in Korean emotional vocabulary.
📌
Example Usage
"그의
말에 마음이 따뜻해졌다."
"His
words warmed my heart."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
가슴 –
often used figuratively to express feelings
📌
Example Usage
"가슴이
뭉클했다."
"My
heart swelled with emotion."
29. 파아란 하늘 / 파란 하늘
"파아란
하늘" and "파란 하늘" both
describe the blue sky, with "파아란" being a
poetic or emphatic variant.
📌
Example Usage
"파아란
하늘 아래 누워 있었다."
"I
lay beneath the deep blue sky."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
맑은 하늘 –
“clear sky”
📌
Example Usage
"맑은
하늘에 구름 한 점 없다."
"There
isn’t a single cloud in the clear sky."
30. 빛
"빛" means “light” or “radiance,” used literally and
metaphorically.
📌
Example Usage
"그의
눈에서 빛이 났다."
"His
eyes sparkled with light."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
광채 –
“radiance” or “glow”
📌
Example Usage
"드레스가
광채를 발하고 있었다."
"The
dress was glowing with radiance."
31. 그리워 / 그립다
"그립다" means “to miss” someone or something. "그리워" is its present-tense informal form.
📌
Example Usage
"어릴
적 시골집이 그리워진다."
"I
miss my childhood countryside home."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
보고 싶다 –
“to want to see,” often implies missing someone
📌
Example Usage
"오랜만에
친구들이 보고 싶다."
"I
miss my friends; it's been a while."
32. 함부로
"함부로" means “thoughtlessly,” “carelessly,” or “recklessly.” It
implies acting without consideration or respect.
📌
Example Usage
"함부로
말하지 마세요."
"Don’t
speak carelessly."
🌀
Similar Expressions
막 –
informal equivalent for “randomly” or “recklessly”
📌
Example Usage
"막
던지지 마."
"Don’t
throw things around recklessly."
33. 쏜 화살 / 화살을 쏘다
"쏜
화살" refers to an arrow that has already been shot, often
metaphorical for something irreversible. "화살을 쏘다"
means “to shoot an arrow.”
📌
Example Usage
"시간은
쏜 화살처럼 빠르게 흘러간다."
"Time
flies like a shot arrow."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
되돌릴 수 없다
– “irreversible”
📌
Example Usage
"이미
벌어진 일은 되돌릴 수 없다."
"What’s
done cannot be undone."
34. 찾으러 / 찾다
"찾다" means “to search” or “to look for.” "찾으러" is the purpose form meaning “in order to find.”
📌
Example Usage
"잃어버린
지갑을 찾으러 갔다."
"I
went to look for my lost wallet."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
발견하다 –
“to discover”
📌
Example Usage
"새로운
종을 발견했다."
"A
new species was discovered."
35. 풀섶 / 풀숲
"풀섶" and "풀숲" both refer to a
cluster or thicket of grass. "풀섶" is more
poetic, while "풀숲" is commonly used.
📌
Example Usage
"풀섶에
숨겨진 꽃이 피어 있었다."
"A
hidden flower was blooming in the grass."
🌀
Similar Expressions
수풀 –
“bush” or “dense vegetation”
📌
Example Usage
"수풀
속에서 동물이 튀어나왔다."
"An
animal jumped out from the bushes."
36. 이슬
"이슬" means “dew,” referring to the moisture found in the morning.
It’s often symbolic in poetry.
📌
Example Usage
"풀잎
위에 이슬이 맺혀 있다."
"Dew
is gathered on the blades of grass."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
물방울 –
“droplet,” broader term than dew
📌
Example Usage
"창문에
물방울이 맺혔다."
"Droplets
formed on the window."
37. 함추름 / 함초롬
"함추름" is a poetic variant of "함초롬,"
which means “gently moist” or “gracefully damp,” often used to describe
delicate beauty after rain or dew.
📌
Example Usage
"이슬에
젖은 꽃잎이 함초롬하다."
"The
flower petals are gracefully moist with dew."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
촉촉하다 –
“moist” or “dewy”
📌
Example Usage
"촉촉한
피부가 부러웠다."
"I
envied her dewy skin."
38. 휘적시던 / 휘적시다
"휘적시다" means “to stir or splash around,” often with hands or an
object. The form "휘적시던" is a descriptive
modifier of the act.
📌
Example Usage
"아이들이
물을 휘적시며 놀았다."
"The
children played while splashing the water."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
젓다 – “to
stir”
📌
Example Usage
"국을
숟가락으로 저었다."
"She
stirred the soup with a spoon."
39. 전설
"전설" means “legend” or “folklore,” often referring to traditional
or mythical tales.
📌
Example Usage
"이
마을에는 오래된 전설이 있다."
"This
village has an old legend."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
신화 –
“myth,” often involving gods or creation
📌
Example Usage
"그리스
신화에는 여러 신들이 등장한다."
"Many
gods appear in Greek mythology."
40. 바다
"바다" means “sea” or “ocean,” and in poetry, it often symbolizes vastness, freedom, or emotional depth.
📌
Example Usage
"바다를
보면 마음이 편안해진다."
"Looking
at the sea calms my mind."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
해변 –
“seashore” or “beach”
📌
Example Usage
"해변에서
모래성을 쌓았다."
"I
built a sandcastle on the beach."
41. 춤추다
"춤추다" means “to dance,” often conveying joy, freedom, or emotional
expression.
📌
Example Usage
"아이들이
음악에 맞춰 춤추고 있다."
"The
children are dancing to the music."
42. 밤물결
"밤물결" means “night waves,” a poetic image combining the calm of
night and the motion of waves.
📌
Example Usage
"달빛
아래 밤물결이 일렁였다."
"The
night waves shimmered under the moonlight."
43. 검은 귀밑머리 날리는
This
phrase describes “black hair fluttering near the ears,” evoking a vivid,
delicate image often used in literature.
📌
Example Usage
"검은
귀밑머리 날리는 소녀가 바람 속에 서 있었다."
"A
girl with black hair fluttering near her ears stood in the wind."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
머리카락이 흩날리다 – “hair blowing in the wind”
📌
Example Usage
"머리카락이
바람에 흩날렸다."
"Her
hair blew in the wind."
44. 어린 누이
"어린
누이" means “younger sister,” with a tender or poetic
nuance. "누이" is an older or literary term for
sister.
📌
Example Usage
"어린
누이와 손을 잡고 길을 걸었다."
"I
walked hand in hand with my little sister."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
여동생 –
standard term for “younger sister”
📌
Example Usage
"여동생이
학교에 다닌다."
"My
younger sister goes to school."
45. 아무렇지도 않다
"아무렇지도
않다" means “to feel nothing,” “to be indifferent,” or “to
be unfazed.”
📌
Example Usage
"그는
혼자 남겨져도 아무렇지도 않은 듯했다."
"He
seemed unfazed even when left alone."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
신경 쓰지 않다
– “to not care”
📌
Example Usage
"그는
남의 시선을 신경 쓰지 않았다."
"He
didn’t care what others thought."
46. 예쁠 것도 없다
"예쁠
것도 없다" means “there’s nothing beautiful,” used to express
plainness or lack of charm.
📌
Example Usage
"그
집은 예쁠 것도 없지만 정이 간다."
"That
house isn’t beautiful, but it feels warm and familiar."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
그저 그렇다 –
“so-so” or “mediocre”
📌
Example Usage
"그
그림은 그저 그렇다."
"That
painting is just so-so."
47. 사철
"사철" means “all four seasons” or “year-round.” It often appears in
poetic or descriptive language.
📌
Example Usage
"그곳은
사철 꽃이 피는 정원이다."
"It’s
a garden where flowers bloom all year round."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
연중 –
“throughout the year”
📌
Example Usage
"그
가게는 연중무휴다."
"That
shop is open year-round without holidays."
48. 발벗은
"발벗은" means “barefoot,” literally without shoes or socks. It can
imply simplicity, innocence, or readiness to act.
📌
Example Usage
"아이들이
발벗은 채로 놀고 있었다."
"The
children were playing barefoot."
🌀
Similar Expressions
맨발 –
“bare feet”
📌
Example Usage
"맨발로
뛰어다녔다."
"I
ran around barefoot."
49. 아내
"아내" means “wife,” the standard term used to refer to one’s spouse
in formal or neutral contexts.
📌
Example Usage
"아내와
함께 여행을 갔다."
"I
went on a trip with my wife."
🌀
Similar Expressions
부인 –
polite/formal word for “wife” (used by others)
📌
Example Usage
"김
선생님의 부인은 화가다."
"Mr.
Kim’s wife is a painter."
50. 따가운 햇살
"따가운
햇살" means “stinging sunlight” or “scorching sun,”
describing sunlight that feels hot and sharp on the skin.
📌
Example Usage
"따가운
햇살 아래서 오래 서 있었더니 피부가 타버렸다."
"My
skin burned after standing under the scorching sun for a long time."
🌀
Similar Expressions
강한 햇볕 –
“strong sunlight”
📌
Example Usage
"강한
햇볕을 피하기 위해 모자를 썼다."
"I
wore a hat to avoid the strong sunlight."
51. 햇살을 등에 지다
"햇살을
등에 지다" means “to have the sun on one’s back.” It is often
a poetic expression symbolizing warmth, passage of time, or life’s journey.
📌
Example Usage
"그는
햇살을 등에 지고 조용히 걷고 있었다."
"He
walked quietly with the sunlight on his back."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
햇살을 받다 –
“to receive sunlight”
📌
Example Usage
"꽃이
햇살을 받아 활짝 피었다."
"The
flower bloomed fully in the sunlight."
52. 이삭 줍다
"이삭
줍다" means “to glean ears of grain,” referring to
gathering leftover crops, often symbolizing humility or hard work.
📌
Example Usage
"할머니는
추수 뒤에 이삭을 주우셨다."
"My
grandmother gleaned ears of grain after the harvest."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
추수하다 –
“to harvest”
📌
Example Usage
"농부들이
가을에 벼를 추수했다."
"The
farmers harvested the rice in autumn."
53. 하늘
"하늘" means “sky,” and is often used symbolically to refer to fate,
divinity, or boundlessness.
📌
Example Usage
"하늘이
맑아서 기분이 좋다."
"The
sky is clear, so I feel good."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
창공 –
poetic term for “blue sky”
📌
Example Usage
"새가
창공을 자유롭게 날았다."
"The
bird flew freely in the blue sky."
54. 성근 / 성글다
"성근" is the adjective form of "성글다,"
meaning “sparse” or “scattered. " It is often used to describe things that
are not dense.
📌
Example Usage
"성근
별빛이 밤하늘에 반짝이고 있었다."
"Sparse
starlight was twinkling in the night sky."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
드문드문 –
“here and there,” “infrequently”
📌
Example Usage
"나무가
드문드문 심어져 있었다."
"The
trees were planted sparsely."
55. 별
"별" means “star,” and is commonly used in both literal and
metaphorical senses to represent dreams, guidance, or solitude.
📌
Example Usage
"밤하늘에
수많은 별이 반짝였다."
"Countless
stars sparkled in the night sky."
56. 알 수도 없다
"알
수도 없다" means “cannot know” or “impossible to know,” used
to express uncertainty or mystery.
📌
Example Usage
"그의
속마음은 알 수도 없었다."
"His
true feelings were impossible to know."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
헤아릴 수 없다
– “immeasurable,” “unfathomable”
📌
Example Usage
"그녀의
슬픔은 헤아릴 수 없었다."
"Her
sorrow was unfathomable."
57. 모래성
"모래성" means “sandcastle.” In literature, it often symbolizes
something fragile or temporary.
📌
Example Usage
"그들의
사랑은 모래성처럼 쉽게 무너졌다."
"Their
love crumbled like a sandcastle."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
덧없는 것 –
“something fleeting”
📌
Example Usage
"인생은
덧없는 것이라 했지만, 아름답다."
"Life
is fleeting, but beautiful."
58. 발을 옮기다
"발을
옮기다" means “to take a step” or “move one’s feet,”
symbolizing action, decision, or progress.
📌
Example Usage
"그는
조심스럽게 발을 옮겼다."
"He
moved his feet carefully."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
걸음을 내딛다
– “to take a step forward”
📌
Example Usage
"새로운
삶을 위해 첫 걸음을 내딛었다."
"He
took the first step toward a new life."
59. 서리 까마귀
"서리
까마귀" means “frost crow,” a poetic or symbolic image used
to evoke coldness, loneliness, or harsh nature.
📌
Example Usage
"서리
까마귀가 하늘을 가로질렀다."
"A
frost crow flew across the sky."
🌀
Similar Expressions
까마귀 –
“crow,” a more general term
📌
Example Usage
"까마귀
울음소리가 들렸다."
"I
heard the caw of a crow."
60. 우지짖다 / 우짖다
Both
"우지짖다" and its more standard form "우짖다" mean “to caw loudly” or “to shriek,” typically referring to
the piercing cry of crows or similar birds. The form "우지짖다" is dialectal or poetic, whereas "우짖다" is standard.
📌
Example Usage
"까마귀가
요란하게 우짖고 있었다."
"The
crow was loudly cawing."
🎨 Additional
Expressions
울다 – “to
cry” (general term for vocalizing by people or animals)
📌
Example Usage
"밤새
고양이가 울어댔다."
"The
cat kept crying all night."
61. 지나가다
"지나가다" means “to pass by,” used for time, people, vehicles, or
experiences.
📌 Example Usage
"버스가
눈앞을 스쳐 지나갔다."
"The
bus passed right in front of my eyes."
🎨 Additional Expressions
흘러가다 –
“to flow away,” often used with time or emotions
📌 Example Usage
"시간은
물처럼 흘러간다."
"Time
flows away like water."
62. 초라한
"초라한" means “shabby,” “pitiful,” or “humble in appearance.”
Describes things that lack grandeur or beauty.
📌 Example Usage
"초라한
옷차림이지만 눈빛은 당당했다."
"Though
dressed shabbily, his gaze was confident."
🌀 Similar Expressions
남루한 –
“ragged” or “worn-out,” often used in literature
📌 Example Usage
"남루한
차림에도 불구하고 품위가 있었다."
"Despite
his ragged appearance, he had dignity."
63. 지붕
"지붕" means “roof,” the top covering of a house or building.
📌 Example Usage
"지붕
위에 눈이 수북이 쌓였다."
"Snow
piled up thickly on the roof."
🎨 Additional Expressions
천장 –
“ceiling” (inside roof)
📌 Example Usage
"천장에서
물이 새고 있다."
"Water
is leaking from the ceiling."
64. 흐릿하다
"흐릿하다" means “blurry,” “faint,” or “dim,” referring to unclear
sights, memories, or voices.
📌 Example Usage
"사진이
너무 흐릿해서 누군지 모르겠다."
"The
photo is too blurry to tell who it is."
🌀 Similar Expressions
희미하다 –
“faint,” “vague”
📌 Example Usage
"희미한
목소리가 들렸다."
"A
faint voice was heard."
65. 불빛
"불빛" means “light” or “glow,” especially from lamps, candles, or
artificial sources.
📌 Example Usage
"창문
사이로 불빛이 새어 나왔다."
"Light
leaked through the window."
🎨 Additional Expressions
조명 –
“lighting,” often in indoor or performance contexts
📌 Example Usage
"조명이
꺼져서 무대가 어두워졌다."
"The
stage darkened when the lights went out."
66. 돌아앉다
This
phrase means "to turn around and sit," but as a poetic expression, it
conveys the image of people sitting together in a circle.
📌 Example Usage
"아이들은
모닥불 주위에 빙 돌아앉아 서로 이야기를
나눴다."
"The
children shared stories in a circle around the campfire."
67. 도란도란
"도란도란" is an adverb describing soft, pleasant chatting, often among
friends or family.
📌 Example Usage
"아이들이
도란도란 이야기를 나누고 있다."
"The
children are chatting quietly and warmly."
🎨 Additional Expressions
소곤소곤 –
“whispering” or “soft talking”
📌 Example Usage
"학생들이
소곤소곤 속삭였다."
"The
students whispered."
68. 거리다
"거리다" is a suffix verb used to indicate repetition or light action,
such as in “도란도란거리다” or “흔들거리다.”
It softens the verb for stylistic nuance.
📌 Example Usage
"그녀는
도란도란거리며 이야기를 이어갔다."
"She
continued speaking in a soft, chattering tone."
✒️ Grammatical Analysis of the Poem
넓은 벌 동쪽 끝으로
- "넓은
벌": "넓다 (wide)" + modifier
“-은” + "벌 (plain)"
- “동쪽
끝으로”: “동쪽 (east)” + “끝 (end)” + direction particle “-으로 (toward)”
→
‘toward the eastern end of the wide field’
📝 Meaning
A vast,
open landscape stretches toward the east, evoking a sense of space and
direction tied to memory.
옛이야기 지줄대는 실개천이 휘돌아 나가고,
- "옛이야기": "옛 (old)" + "이야기 (story)"
- "지줄대는": "지줄대다 (to babble, murmur)"
+ attributive "-는"
- "실개천이": "실개천 (narrow stream)" +
subject particle "-이"
- "휘돌아
나가고": "휘돌다 (to swirl,
meander)" + connector "-아" + "나가다 (to go out)" + connective ending “-고
(and)”
→ ‘a
murmuring narrow stream meanders out with old tales’
📝 Meaning
A gentle
stream carries the weight of ancestral stories, blending nature with cultural
memory.
얼룩백이 황소가
- "얼룩백이": adjective describing a "spotted" appearance
- "황소가": "황소 (bull)" + subject
particle "-가"
→ ‘a
spotted bull’
📝 Meaning
The
appearance of a traditional, rustic figure—a symbolic presence of pastoral
life.
해설피 금빛 게으른 울음을 우는 곳,
- "해설피": An adverb, used in the Chungcheong dialect, describing the
faint or weak sunlight at dusk.
- "금빛": "golden light"
- "게으른
울음을": "게으르다 (lazy,
languid)" + modifier “-ㄴ” + "울음 (cry)" + object particle "-을"
- "우는": "울다 (to cry)" +
attributive "-는"
- “곳”: “place”
→ ‘a
place where the spotted bull softly cries a lazy, golden-hued sound’
📝 Meaning
A
dreamlike rural setting where even animal sounds carry poetic resonance and
warmth.
그 곳이 차마 꿈엔들 잊힐리야.
- "그
곳이": "그 (that)" +
"곳 (place)" + subject particle "-이"
- "차마": with emotional restraint or hesitation
- "꿈엔들": "꿈에 (in dreams)" +
emphatic/contrastive "-ㄴ들"
- "잊힐리야": "잊히다 (to be forgotten)" +
rhetorical question ending "-리야"
→ ‘How
could that place possibly be forgotten even in dreams?’
📝 Meaning
A
repeated refrain expresses the unerasable imprint of a cherished homeland,
which is too precious to forget—even in dreams.
질화로에 재가 식어지면
- "질화로에": "질화로 (earthen brazier)" +
locative particle "-에"
- "재가": "재 (ashes)" + subject
particle "-가"
- "식어지면": "식다 (to cool)" + passive
"-어지다" + conditional "-면"
→ ‘When
the ashes in the brazier grow cold’
📝 Meaning
A symbol
of fading warmth and the passing of time, signaling change and solitude.
비인 밭에 밤바람 소리 말을 달리고,
- "비인": "비다 (to be empty)" +
attributive "-ㄴ"
• “비다” → “빈” → “비인” (poetic expression)
- "밭에": "밭 (field)" + locative
particle "-에"
- "밤바람
소리": "밤 (night)" +
"바람 (wind)" + "소리 (sound)"
- "말을
달리고": "말 (horse)" +
object particle "-을" + "달리다 (to run)"
→ ‘The sound of the night wind races like a
horse across the empty field’
📝 Meaning
In the
empty field, the sound of the night wind races like a horse.
엷은 졸음에 겨운 늙으신 아버지가
- "엷은": "엷다 (faint, light)" +
attributive "-은"
- "졸음에
겨운": "졸음 (sleepiness,
drowsiness)” + locative “-에” + “겹다 (be overcome with)” + modifier “-ㄴ”
• “겹다” → “겨운”
“늙으신
아버지가”: “늙다 (to age)” + honorific “-으신” + “아버지 (father)” + subject particle “-가”
• “늙다” → “늙은” → “늙으신”
→ ‘My
aged father, dozing in light sleep’
📝 Meaning
A
peaceful image of an elderly father at rest, conveying warmth and familial
love.
짚 베개를 돋아 고이시는 곳,
- "짚
베개를": "짚 (straw)" +
"베개 (pillow)" + object particle "-를"
- "돋아": "돋다 (to raise, to prop
up)" + connector "-아"
- "고이시는": "고이다 (to pile up)" +
honorific and attributive "-시는"
"곳": "place"
→ ‘the
place where a straw pillow is stacked up.’
📝 Meaning
A tender
visual of home and rest, grounded in rural simplicity and reverence for elders.
그 곳이 차마 꿈엔들 잊힐리야.
→ (same
grammatical breakdown as before)
📝 Meaning
The
repetition reinforces longing and emotional connection, making the place sacred
in memory.
흙에서 자란 내 마음
- "흙에서": "흙 (earth, soil)" +
locative "-에서"
- "자란": "자라다 (to grow)" +
attributive "-ㄴ"
- “내
마음”: “내 (my)” + “마음 (heart, mind)”
→ ‘my
heart that grew from the earth’
📝 Meaning
A deeply
rooted identity shaped by one’s native land, humble and organic.
파아란 하늘 빛이 그리워
- "파아란": poetic form of "파랗다
(blue)"
- "하늘
빛이": "하늘 (sky)" +
"빛 (light)" + subject particle "-이"
- "그리워": "그립다 (to miss, to long
for)" + connective ending “-어”
→
‘longing for the blue light of the sky’
📝 Meaning
A
yearning for something pure and beautiful, a connection to the divine or
infinite.
함부로 쏜 화살을 찾으러
- "함부로": recklessly, carelessly
- "쏜": "쏘다 (to shoot)" +
attributive "-ㄴ"
- "화살을": "화살 (arrow)" + object
particle "-을"
- "찾으러": "찾다 (to find)" + purpose
ending "-으러"
→ ‘to
find the arrow recklessly shot’
📝 Meaning
A
metaphor for youthful mistakes or lost intentions, seeking redemption or
clarity.
풀섶 이슬에 함추름 휘적시던 곳,
- "풀섶": a dialect word for “풀숲 (grass or
weed thickets)”
- "이슬에": "이슬 (dew)" + locative
"-에"
- "함추름": A modified form of “함초롬” created
through poetic license.
• 함초롬: Adverb, In an
orderly and calm manner, as if evenly soaked or gently suffused.
- "휘적시던": "휘적시다 (to stir, splash
around)" + attributive "-던" (past,
incomplete)
→ ‘the
place where I stirred the dewy grass thicket with soft rustling’
📝 Meaning
A richly
sensory recollection of childhood exploration, blending innocence with nature.
그 곳이 차마 꿈엔들 잊힐리야.
→ (same
grammatical breakdown as above)
전설(傳說) 바다에 춤추는 밤물결 같은
- "전설": legend
- "바다에": "바다 (sea)" + locative
"-에"
- "춤추는": "춤추다 (to dance)" +
attributive "-는"
- “밤물결
같은”: “밤 (night)” + “물결 (wave)” + comparative particle “-같은”
→ ‘like
night waves dancing in the legendary sea’
📝 Meaning
Evokes a
fantastical, mystical scene that blends folklore with the movement of nature.
검은 귀밑머리 날리는 어린 누이와
- "검은": "검다 (black)" + attributive
- "귀밑머리": hair near the ears
- "날리는": "날리다 (to blow, flutter)" +
attributive "-는"
- “어린
누이와”: “어리다 (young)” + “누이 (sister)” + companion particle “-와”
→ ‘with
my young sister whose black hair flutters beside her ears’
📝 Meaning
A
nostalgic image of family, youthful innocence, and intimate memory.
아무렇지도 않고 예쁠 것도 없는
- "아무렇지도
않고": "아무렇다 (to be of any
particular kind)" + negation + connector "-고"
• “아무렇다” → negation “아무렇지도
않다” → “아무렇지도 않고”
- "예쁠
것도 없는": "예쁘다 (to be
pretty)" → negation “예쁘지 않다” → emphasis “예쁠
것도 없다” + attributive “-는”
→ ‘who
is neither particularly anything nor pretty’
📝 Meaning
An
affirmation of raw, unadorned presence and acceptance without idealization.
사철 발벗은 아내가
- "사철": "four seasons" → all year round
- "발벗은": "발 (foot)" + "벗다 (to take off)" → barefoot
• “발벗다” + attributive “-은” → “발벗은”
- “아내가”: “아내 (wife)” + subject particle “-가”
→ ‘My
wife, barefoot all year round’
📝 Meaning
A
humble, hard-working spouse is symbolic of domestic love and sacrifice.
따가운 햇살을 등에 지고 이삭 줍던 곳,
- "따가운": "따갑다 (to sting, to be
sharp)" + attributive "-운"
- "햇살을": "햇살 (sunlight)" + object
particle “-을”
- "등에
지고": "등 (back)" +
locative "-에" + "지다 (to carry)" + connector “-고”
- "이삭
줍던": "이삭 (grain)" +
"줍다 (to glean)" + attributive "-던" (past tense)
"곳": "place"
→ ‘the
place where she carried harsh sunlight on her back, gleaning grains’
📝 Meaning
A scene
of quiet endurance and love, where physical labor becomes a testament to shared
life.
그 곳이 차마 꿈엔들 잊힐리야.
→
(refrain)
하늘에는 성근 별
- "하늘에는": "하늘 (sky)" +
locative/emphatic "-에는"
- "성근": sparse, scattered
- “별”: “star”
→
‘sparse stars in the sky’
📝 Meaning
A
distant, fading view of the cosmos, mirroring loneliness or detachment.
알 수도 없는 모래성으로 발을 옮기고,
- "알
수도 없는": "알다 (to know)"
+ potential "-을 수 있다" + negation + attributive
+ emphasis
• “알다” → “알 수 있다” → “알 수 없다” → “알 수 없는” → emphasis “알 수도 없는”
- "모래성으로": "모래성 (sandcastle)" +
direction particle "-으로"
- "발을
옮기고": "발 (foot)" +
object particle "-을" + "옮기다 (to shift)" + connector "-고"
→
‘moving one’s steps toward unknowable sandcastles’
📝 Meaning
A
metaphor for chasing uncertain dreams or fleeting illusions.
서리 까마귀 우지짖고 지나가는 초라한 지붕,
- "서리
까마귀": frost-season crow
- "우지짖고": "우지짖다 (to caw loudly)" +
connector "-고"
- "지나가는": "지나다 (to pass)" +
attributive "-는"
- "초라한
지붕": "초라하다 (shabby,
poor)" + attributive “-ㄴ” + “지붕 (roof)”
→ ‘a
shabby roof over which frost crows loudly pass’
📝 Meaning
A bleak,
wintery image suggesting hardship, decay, or abandonment.
흐릿한 불빛에 돌아앉아 도란도란 거리는 곳,
- "흐릿한": "흐릿하다 (dim, blurry)" +
attributive “-ㄴ”
- "불빛에": "불빛 (light)" + locative “-에”
"돌아앉아": "돌아앉다 (to sit in a circle)"
+ connective “-아”
"도란도란
거리는": "도란도란 (softly
chattering)" + "거리다 (to continue)" +
attributive “-는”
"곳": "place"
→ ‘a
place where people turn away from dim lights and chatter softly’
📝 Meaning
A
communal warmth in humble settings, where human connection lingers despite
poverty or wear.
그 곳이 차마 꿈엔들 잊힐리야.
→ (final
refrain)
✒️ Introduction to the Poet
Jeong
Ji-yong (鄭芝溶, 1902–1950) was born in Okcheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, and is
considered one of the leading figures in modern Korean poetry during the
Japanese colonial period and the years surrounding Korea’s liberation. After
studying at Doshisha University in Japan, he published his first poetry
collection, Jeong Ji-yong Poetry Collection, in 1935. He published various
other works, including Baengnokdam, Literary Reader, and Prose.
Jeong
Ji-yong is well known for poetry that highlights the beauty and lyricism of the
Korean language. His most famous poems include “Nostalgia,” along with
“Windowpane,” “Baengnokdam,” “Lake,” and “Hometown.” Vivid and painterly
imagery, native Korean expressions, and deep lyrical sentiment characterize his
poetry. He contributed significantly to the linguistic and formal development
of modern Korean poetry.
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