Table of Contents
Thematic Analysis
Key Takeaways
Grammatical Analysis of the Poem
Introduction to the Poet
✒️ 윤동주 “투르게네프의 언덕”
그때 세 소년 거지가 나를 지나쳤다.
첫째 아이는 잔등에 바구니를 둘러메고, 바구니 속에는 사이다병, 간즈메통, 쇳조각, 헌
양말짝 등 폐물이 가득하였다.
둘째 아이도 그러하였다.
셋째 아이도 그러하였다.
텁수룩한 머리털, 시커먼 얼굴에 눈물 고인 충혈된 눈, 색 잃어 푸르스름한 입술, 너덜너덜한 남루, 찢겨진 맨발,
아아 얼마나 무서운 가난이 이 어린 소년들을 삼키었느냐!
나는 측은한 마음이 움직이었다.
나는 호주머니를 뒤지었다. 두툼한 지갑, 시계, 손수건… 있을 것은 죄다 있었다.
그러나 무턱대고 이것들을 내줄 용기는 없었다. 손으로 만지작만지작거릴 뿐이었다.
다정스레 이야기나 하리라 하고 "얘들아" 불러보았다.
첫째 아이가 충혈된 눈으로 흘끔 돌아다볼 뿐이었다.
둘째 아이도 그러할 뿐이었다.
셋째 아이도 그러할 뿐이었다.
그리고는 너는 상관없다는 듯이 자기네끼리 소근소근 이야기하면서 고개를 넘어갔다.
언덕 위에는 아무도 없었다.
짙어가는 황혼이 밀려들 뿐-
This poem is often recommended to be
read alongside Ivan Turgenev’s “The Beggar.” While the video introduces
Turgenev’s piece, I will only present Yun Dong-ju’s poem here. Since I don’t understand Russian and the English (Korean) translation
of Turgenev’s work may involve copyright concerns, I ask for your kind
understanding.
🐾 Following the recitation of Yun Dong-ju’s poem, a piece by Turgenev
is read in succession.
✒️ Thematic Analysis
This
poem, written by Yoon Dong-ju in 1939, was inspired by the Russian writer Ivan
Turgenev’s piece, “The Beggar.”
It
conveys a powerful social message rooted in poverty, indifference, and moral
conflict, urging the reader to reflect on the meaning of human existence and
one’s moral responsibility.
1. The Reality of Poverty
The
poem begins with the speaker encountering three young beggar boys while
crossing a mountain pass. Each child “has a basket slung over his back,” filled
with soda bottles, empty cans, metal scraps, and old socks.” This vivid imagery
lays bare how deeply poverty has infiltrated their lives. Through this
encounter, the speaker realizes that poverty is not merely a lack of material
wealth but a force that strips away human dignity.
2. Moral Conflict
Though
moved by pity, the speaker is overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. “I
rummaged through my pockets. A thick wallet, a watch, a handkerchief... I had
everything. But I lacked the courage to hand it over.” These lines expose the
speaker’s internal turmoil, torn between sympathy and self-preservation. He
wants to speak kindly to the boys, but ultimately recognizes his inability to
act—a sobering admission of moral paralysis.
3. The Breakdown of Human Connection
The
boys remain indifferent to the speaker’s silent compassion. “The eldest merely
glanced back with bloodshot eyes.” This fleeting moment underscores how poverty
can sever human relationships. Their disinterest may be understood as a defense
mechanism, hardened by long-term suffering. It highlights that poverty is not
only material—it is also emotionally isolating.
4. Symbolic Meaning
In
the closing lines, “There was no one on the hill. Only the deepening twilight
rolled in,” the poem drifts into symbolism. Twilight evokes the end of day and
the onset of a moral nightfall—an emotional void left behind by poverty and
apathy. This dusk becomes a metaphor for the speaker’s inner despair and the
emptiness left in the wake of inaction.
5. Self-Criticism
“Turgenev’s
Hill” ultimately becomes a mirror to Yoon Dong-ju’s conscience. He recognizes
that his sympathy was fleeting and superficial, and this realization triggers a
moment of self-reproach. The poem goes beyond societal critique—it becomes a
personal meditation on ethical responsibility and the quiet yet profound call
to human solidarity.
🌌
Line 1
“나는 고개길을
넘고
있었다.”
“I
was crossing over a hill path.”
🌌
Line 2
“그때 세 소년 거지가 나를 지나쳤다.”
“Then,
three young beggar boys passed by me.”
🌌
Line 3
“첫째 아이는 잔등에 바구니를
둘러메고, 바구니
속에는
사이다병, 간즈메통, 쇳조각, 헌
양말짝
등
폐물이
가득하였다.”
“The
first boy had a basket slung over his back, filled with empty soda bottles, tin
cans, metal scraps, old socks—just junk.”
→
The basket's contents are literal refuse, yet for the boys, this is livelihood.
🌌
Line 4
“둘째 아이도 그러하였다.”
“The
second boy was the same.”
→
Their conditions are indistinguishable, suggesting the uniformity of their
hardship.
🌌
Line 5
“셋째 아이도 그러하였다.”
“The
third boy was no different.”
→
The sameness continues, almost numbing in its repetition.
🌌
Line 6
“텁수룩한
머리털, 시커먼
얼굴에
눈물
고인
충혈된
눈, 색
잃어
푸르스름한
입술, 너덜너덜한
남루, 찢겨진
맨발,”
“Unkempt
hair, soot-black faces with tear-filled, bloodshot eyes, lips pale and bluish,
tattered rags, bare feet torn and bleeding—”
→
A devastating portrait of neglect and suffering, rendered with unflinching
clarity.
🌌
Line 7
“아아 얼마나 무서운 가난이 이 어린 소년들을
삼키었느냐!”
“Ah,
how terribly has poverty swallowed up these young boys!”
→
The speaker reacts emotionally for the first time, expressing horror and pity.
🌌
Line 8
“나는 측은한 마음이 움직이었다.”
“Pity
stirred in my heart.”
→
A quiet, sincere response—but one that remains internal.
🌌
Line 9
“나는 호주머니를
뒤지었다. 두툼한
지갑, 시계, 손수건… 있을
것은
죄다
있었다.”
“I
searched my pockets. A thick wallet, a watch, a handkerchief… everything was
there.”
→
He realizes his abundance in stark contrast to the boys’ lack.
🌌
Line 10
“그러나 무턱대고
이것들을
내줄
용기는
없었다. 손으로
만지작만지작거릴
뿐이었다.”
“But
I didn’t dare to hand them over simply. I just fumbled with them in my hands.”
→
The narrator admits his moral paralysis.
🌌
Line 11
“다정스레
이야기나
하리라
하고 ‘얘들아’ 불러보았다.”
“Thinking
I would at least speak kindly, I called out: ‘Hey kids.’”
→
A small gesture—perhaps too little, too late.
🌌
Line 12
“첫째 아이가 충혈된 눈으로 흘끔 돌아다볼
뿐이었다.”
“The
first boy only glanced back with his bloodshot eyes.”
→
The response is cautious, guarded, and uninterested.
🌌
Line 13
“둘째 아이도 그러할 뿐이었다.”
“The
second boy did the same.”
→
Their reactions are synchronized—habitual indifference.
🌌
Line 14
“셋째 아이도 그러할 뿐이었다.”
“The
third boy was no different.”
→
No one answers. No one engages.
🌌
Line 15
“그리고는
너는
상관없다는
듯이
자기네끼리
소근소근
이야기하면서
고개를
넘어갔다.”
“Then,
as if to say ‘you don’t matter,’ they whispered among themselves and walked
over the hill.”
→
They reject the narrator, not with anger, but with indifference.
🌌
Line 16
“언덕 위에는 아무도 없었다.”
“There
was no one left on the hill.”
→
Emptiness now replaces presence.
🌌
Line 17
“짙어가는
황혼이
밀려들
뿐—”
“Only
the deepening twilight rolled in—”
→
Nature continues, indifferent to human struggle.
※ The twilight becomes a metaphor for
fading conscience, lost opportunities, and approaching moral nightfall. The
dash emphasizes the open-ended sorrow of the scene.
🎯 Key Takeaways
1. "고개길을 넘다 / 고개를 넘다"
- "고개길을
넘다 / 고개를 넘다" means "to cross
a mountain path." It describes physically passing over a hilly or
mountainous road, often metaphorically used for overcoming a difficult
situation.
- "고개": "hill" or "mountain pass"
- "길을": "길 (road)" + object marker
"-을"
- "넘다": "to cross, to go over"
📌
Example Usage
"나는
외진 고개길을 넘고 있었다."
"I
was crossing a remote mountain path."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"산을
넘다" – "to cross a mountain"
📌
Example Usage
"산을
넘으니 새로운 마을이 나왔다."
"After
crossing the mountain, a new village appeared."
2. "소년"
- "소년" means "boy." It refers to a young male child or
adolescent.
📌
Example Usage
"그
소년은 눈이 반짝이는 아이였다."
"The
boy had sparkling eyes."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"아이" – "child"
📌
Example Usage
"아이들이
놀이터에서 뛰어놀고 있다."
"Children
are playing in the playground."
3. "거지"
- "거지" means "beggar." It refers to someone who asks for
money or food due to poverty.
📌
Example Usage
"거리에서
거지를 자주 본다."
"I
often see beggars on the streets."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"노숙자" – "homeless person"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
한때 노숙자였지만 지금은 일자리를 얻었다."
"He
was once homeless, but now he has a job."
4. "지나치다"
- "지나치다" means "to pass by" or "to overlook." It
depends on context whether it's physical or metaphorical.
📌
Example Usage
"세
소년 거지가 나를 지나쳤다."
"Three
boy beggars passed by me."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"스쳐
가다" – "to brush past"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
말없이 내 옆을 스쳐 갔다."
"He
brushed past me without saying a word."
5. "잔등"
- "잔등" means "the upper back." It typically refers to the
back of a person or animal, especially when something is carried on it.
📌
Example Usage
"그
아이는 잔등에 바구니를 둘러메고 있었다."
"The
child had a basket strapped to his back."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"등" – "back"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
등에 무거운 짐을 지고 있었다."
"He
was carrying a heavy load on his back."
6. "바구니를 둘러메다"
- "바구니를
둘러메다" means "to sling a basket over the
shoulder/back."
- "바구니를": "바구니 (basket)" + object
marker "-를"
- "둘러메다": "to sling over (the shoulder or back)"
📌
Example Usage
"소년은
바구니를 둘러메고 길을 걷고 있었다."
"The
boy was walking with a basket slung over his back."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"짐을
메다" – "to carry a load on one's back"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
짐을 메고 산을 올랐다."
"He
climbed the mountain carrying a load on his back."
7. "사이다병"
- "사이다병" means "soda bottle"
- "병": "bottle"
📌
Example Usage
"바구니
안에는 사이다병이 가득했다."
"The
basket was full of soda bottles."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"음료수병" – "beverage bottle"
📌
Example Usage
"공병을
모아서 재활용장에 버렸다."
"I
collected empty bottles and threw them in the recycling bin."
8. "쇳조각"
- "쇳조각" means "scrap metal" or "metal pieces."
- "쇠": "metal"
- “ㅅ”: “사이시옷”, “사잇소리”, The
'ㅅ' interfix is inserted between the first and
second elements in Korean compound words (formed by combining two or more
words). It is often added to enhance phonetic fluency and clarify
meaning.
- "조각": "piece, fragment"
📌
Example Usage
"쇳조각이
바구니 한가득 들어 있었다."
"The
basket was full of metal scraps."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"고철" – "scrap iron"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
고철을 모아 생계를 유지했다."
"He
made a living by collecting scrap iron."
9. "헌 양말짝"
- "헌
양말짝" means "a pair of worn-out socks."
- "헌": "worn-out, old"
- "양말짝": "a pair of socks"
📌
Example Usage
"바구니
속에는 헌 양말짝도 있었다."
"There
was also a pair of worn-out socks in the basket."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"낡은
옷" – "worn clothes"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
낡은 옷을 주워 입고 있었다."
"He
was wearing worn-out clothes he had picked up."
10. "폐물"
- "폐물" means "scrap" or "junk." It refers to
discarded or unusable items.
📌
Example Usage
"그들의
바구니는 온갖 폐물로 가득했다."
"Their
baskets were filled with all kinds of junk."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"잡동사니" – "odds and ends"
📌
Example Usage
"방
안은 잡동사니로 가득했다."
"The
room was full of random junk."
11. "텁수룩한 / 텁수룩하다"
- "텁수룩한 / 텁수룩하다" means "shaggy" or
"unkempt." It describes hair or appearance that is rough, bushy, or
untidy.
- "텁수룩한": attributive form of "텁수룩하다"
📌
Example Usage
"텁수룩한
머리털이 그의 눈을 가렸다."
"His
shaggy hair covered his eyes."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"헝클어진" – "tangled, messy"
📌
Example Usage
"그녀의
머리는 헝클어져 있었다."
"Her
hair was all tangled up."
12. "머리털"
- "머리털" means "hair (on the head)." It is a more literary
or traditional term than "머리카락."
📌
Example Usage
"소년의
머리털은 길고 텁수룩했다."
"The
boy's hair was long and shaggy."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"머리카락" – "hair (on the head)"
📌
Example Usage
"머리카락이
바람에 흩날렸다."
"Her
hair fluttered in the wind."
13. "시커먼 / 시커멓다"
- "시커먼 / 시커멓다" means "very dark" or
"blackened." Often used to describe skin or dark surfaces due to dirt
or fatigue.
- "시커먼": attributive form of "시커멓다"
📌
Example Usage
"시커먼
얼굴에 슬픔이 묻어났다."
"Sadness
showed on his darkened face."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"까만 / 까맣다" – "black"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
까만 손으로 내 손을 잡았다."
"He
held my hand with his blackened hands."
14. "얼굴"
- "얼굴" means "face." It refers to the front part of the
head, often used to express appearance or emotions.
📌
Example Usage
"그의
얼굴은 지쳐 보였다."
"His
face looked tired."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"표정" – "expression"
📌
Example Usage
"그의
얼굴에는 불안한 표정이 떠올랐다."
"An
anxious expression appeared on his face."
15. "눈물 고인 / 눈물이 고이다"
- "눈물
고인 / 눈물이 고이다" means "tears
well up" or "tears fill (someone's eyes."
- "눈물이": "눈물 (tear)" + subject
marker "-이"
- "고이다": "to gather, to pool"
- “고인”: attributive form of "고이다"
📌
Example Usage
"그의
눈에는 눈물이 고여 있었다."
"Tears
welled up in his eyes."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"울먹이다" – "to be on the verge of tears"
📌
Example Usage
"그녀는
울먹이며 말을 이었다."
"She
continued speaking, her voice trembling with tears."
16. "충혈된 눈"
- "충혈된
눈" means "bloodshot eyes." It refers to red or
inflamed eyes due to fatigue, crying, or irritation.
- "충혈된": "충혈되다 (to become
bloodshot)" + attributive "-된"
📌
Example Usage
"그의
충혈된 눈은 밤새 울었던 흔적이었다."
"His
bloodshot eyes were proof he had cried all night."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"붉어진
눈" – "reddened eyes"
📌
Example Usage
"감기로
눈이 붉어졌다."
"His
eyes turned red from the cold."
17. "색"
- "색" means "color." It can also metaphorically refer to
vitality or emotional tone.
📌
Example Usage
"그의
얼굴에서 색이 사라져 있었다."
"The
color had drained from his face."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"빛깔" – "shade, hue"
📌
Example Usage
"가을
나뭇잎의 빛깔은 참 곱다."
"The
colors of autumn leaves are so beautiful."
18. "잃다"
- "잃다" means "to lose." It can refer to both physical loss
and emotional or symbolic loss.
📌
Example Usage
"그는
웃음을 잃었다."
"He
lost his smile."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"놓치다" – "to miss"
📌
Example Usage
"기회를
놓쳤다."
"I
missed the opportunity."
19. "푸르스름한 입술"
- "푸르스름한
입술" means "bluish lips," often indicating cold
or poor health.
- "푸르스름한": "푸르다 (blue)" + soft
modifier "-스름하다" + attributive "-한"
- "입술": "lips"
📌
Example Usage
"그
아이의 푸르스름한 입술이 안쓰러웠다."
"The
boy’s bluish lips were pitiful to see."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"창백한
입술" – "pale lips"
📌
Example Usage
"그녀는
창백한 입술로 미소지었다."
"She
smiled with pale lips."
20. "너덜너덜한 남루"
- "너덜너덜한
남루" means "tattered rags" or "shabby
clothes."
- "너덜너덜한": "너덜너덜하다 (to be ragged,
frayed)" + attributive "-한"
- "남루": "shabby clothing"
📌
Example Usage
"그들은
너덜너덜한 남루를 걸치고 있었다."
"They
were dressed in tattered rags."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"누더기
옷" – "ragged clothes"
📌
Example Usage
"누더기
옷을 입은 노인이 지나갔다."
"An
old man in rags passed by."
21. "찢겨진 맨발"
- "찢겨진
맨발" means "torn bare feet." It emphasizes the
harshness of poverty.
- "찢겨진": "찢기다 (to be torn)" + past
participle "-ㄴ" → “찢긴”
• “찢다” → “찢기다” → It is preferable to use “찢긴” rather than
“찢겨진.”
- "맨발": "bare feet"
📌
Example Usage
"찢겨진
맨발이 길 위에 닿았다."
"His
torn bare feet touched the road."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"상처난
발" – "wounded feet"
📌
Example Usage
"그의
상처난 발이 걷기 힘들어 보였다."
"His
wounded feet made walking look painful."
22. "무서운 / 무섭다"
- "무서운 / 무섭다" means "scary" or
"to be frightening." It describes something that causes fear or
anxiety.
- "무서운": attributive form of "무섭다"
🔀 Irregular change: “무섭다” + “-은” → “무서운”
📌
Example Usage
"그의
눈빛은 무서울 정도였다."
"His
gaze was so intense it was frightening."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"두려운 / 두렵다" – "to be afraid"
📌
Example Usage
"앞날이
두려워 잠을 이루지 못했다."
"I
was too afraid of the future to sleep."
23. "가난"
- "가난" means "poverty" or "destitution." It
describes a state of being economically deprived.
📌
Example Usage
"가난은
삶의 많은 부분에 영향을 미친다."
"Poverty
affects many parts of life."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"빈곤" – "poverty, impoverishment"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
어린 시절 빈곤 속에서 자랐다."
"He
grew up in poverty during his childhood."
24. "삼키다"
- "삼키다" means "to swallow." It can be used literally (to
swallow food) or figuratively (to suppress emotions).
📌
Example Usage
"그는
눈물을 꾹 참고 삼켰다."
"He
held back and swallowed his tears."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"꾹
참다" – "to hold back"
📌
Example Usage
"화를
꾹 참았다."
"I
held in my anger."
25. "측은한 마음"
- "측은한
마음" means "a feeling of pity" or
"compassionate heart."
- "측은한": "측은하다 (to be pitiful)" +
attributive "-한"
- "마음": "heart, feeling"
📌
Example Usage
"그
아이를 보며 측은한 마음이 들었다."
"I
felt pity as I looked at the child."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"불쌍히
여기다" – "to feel sorry for"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
항상 남을 불쌍히 여겼다."
"He
always felt sorry for others."
26. "움직이다"
- "움직이다" means "to move." It can be used for physical
movement or emotional stirring.
📌
Example Usage
"그의
한마디에 마음이 움직였다."
"My
heart moved because of his words."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"동하다" – "to stir (emotionally)"
📌
Example Usage
"슬픈
이야기엔 마음이 동하게 마련이다."
"Sad
stories are bound to stir your heart."
27. "호주머니를 뒤지다"
- "호주머니를
뒤지다" means "to rummage through a pocket."
- "호주머니를": "호주머니 (pocket)" + object
marker "-를"
- "뒤지다": "to search, to dig through"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
호주머니를 뒤져 동전을 꺼냈다."
"He
dug through his pocket and took out some coins."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"주머니를
뒤적이다" – "to fumble through one’s pocket"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
주머니를 뒤적이며 열쇠를 찾았다."
"He
fumbled through his pocket looking for the keys."
28. "두툼한 지갑"
- "두툼한
지갑" means "a thick wallet," often suggesting it
contains many bills or cards.
- "두툼한": "두툼하다 (to be thick)" +
attributive "-한"
- "지갑": "wallet"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
두툼한 지갑을 꺼냈다."
"He
pulled out a thick wallet."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"불룩한
지갑" – "bulging wallet"
📌
Example Usage
"지갑이
불룩하게 부풀어 있었다."
"His
wallet was bulging."
29. "손수건"
- "손수건" means "handkerchief." It is used to wipe sweat or
tears and often symbolizes care.
📌
Example Usage
"그녀는
손수건으로 아이의 얼굴을 닦아주었다."
"She
wiped the child’s face with a handkerchief."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"휴지" – "tissue"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
휴지로 코를 풀었다."
"He
blew his nose with a tissue."
30. "죄다 / 모두"
- "죄다 / 모두" means "all" or
"entirely." "죄다" is colloquial and
often used in speech.
📌
Example Usage
"그는
돈을 죄다 꺼내 내주었다."
"He
pulled out all his money and handed it over."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"전부" – "the whole, everything"
📌
Example Usage
"전부
다 가져가도 돼."
"You
can take it all."
31. "무턱대고"
- "무턱대고" means "blindly" or "without thinking." It
describes actions done impulsively or without sufficient reason.
📌
Example Usage
"무턱대고
돈을 내주고 말았다."
"He
handed over the money without thinking."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"아무
생각 없이" – "without any thought"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
아무 생각 없이 길을 걸었다."
"He
walked down the road without thinking."
32. "내주다"
- "내주다" means "to hand over" or "to give out,"
especially something held or owned.
📌
Example Usage
"지갑에서
돈을 꺼내 내주었다."
"He
took money out of his wallet and handed it over."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"건네주다" – "to pass (something) over"
📌
Example Usage
"그녀는
나에게 책을 건네주었다."
"She
handed the book to me."
33. "용기"
- "용기" means "courage" or "bravery." It refers
to the strength to face fear or hardship.
📌
Example Usage
"그는
큰 용기를 내어 행동했다."
"He
acted with great courage."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"배짱" – "guts, boldness"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
배짱 하나는 대단했다."
"He
certainly had guts."
34. "만지작거리다"
- "만지작거리다" means "to fidget with" or "to touch something
repeatedly without purpose."
📌
Example Usage
"그는
손수건을 만지작거리며 망설였다."
"He
hesitated while fidgeting with the handkerchief."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"주무르다" – "to knead, fiddle with"
📌
Example Usage
"걱정되면
항상 옷자락을 주무른다."
"When
she's nervous, she always fiddles with her clothes."
35. "다정스레 / 다정스럽게 / 다정하다 / 다정스럽다"
- All
forms mean "affectionately" or "kindly."
- "다정스레" and "다정스럽게" are adverbs
meaning "warmly or affectionately."
- "다정하다" and "다정스럽다" are adjectives
meaning "to be affectionate."
📌
Example Usage
"그는
다정스레 말을 걸었다."
"He
spoke kindly."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"상냥하게" – "gently, sweetly"
📌
Example Usage
"그녀는
아이에게 상냥하게 말했다."
"She
spoke gently to the child."
36. "이야기하다"
- "이야기하다" means "to talk" or "to tell a story." It
refers to engaging in conversation.
📌
Example Usage
"우리는
오랫동안 이야기를 나누었다."
"We
talked for a long time."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"대화하다" – "to have a conversation"
📌
Example Usage
"그들과
대화하는 게 즐겁다."
"I
enjoy talking with them."
37. "얘들아"
- "얘들아" means "guys" or "kids" in a familiar and
casual tone. It’s used to call out to a group of children or close peers.
📌
Example Usage
"얘들아, 이리 와 봐!"
"Hey
guys, come over here!"
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"얘들" – "kids"
📌
Example Usage
"얘들이
학교에서 돌아왔다."
"The
kids came back from school."
38. "흘끔 돌아보다"
- "흘끔
돌아보다" means "to glance back."
- "흘끔": "side glance"
- "돌아보다": "to look back"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
흘끔 돌아보며 걸음을 멈췄다."
"He
glanced back and stopped walking."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"힐끗
보다" – "to take a quick look"
📌
Example Usage
"그는
힐끗 나를 쳐다보았다."
"He
glanced at me quickly."
39. "자기네끼리"
- "자기네끼리" means "among themselves" or "on their
own." It refers to a group doing something without outsiders.
📌
Example Usage
"아이들은
자기네끼리 소곤소곤 이야기했다."
"The
kids whispered among themselves."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"그들끼리" – "among them"
📌
Example Usage
"그들끼리
조용히 상의했다."
"They
discussed it quietly among themselves."
40. "소근소근"
- "소근소근" is an onomatopoeic adverb meaning "in whispers" or
"softly," often used when people speak quietly to avoid being heard.
📌
Example Usage
"그들은
소근소근 뭔가를 속삭였다."
"They
whispered something to each other."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"속닥속닥" – "in murmurs"
📌
Example Usage
"두
사람이 속닥속닥 얘기했다."
"The
two were murmuring to each other."
41. "언덕 위"
- "언덕
위" means "on the hill" or "atop the
hill."
- "언덕": "hill"
- "위": "on, above"
📌
Example Usage
"언덕
위에 그들이 서 있었다."
"They
were standing on the hill."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"산등성이
위" – "on the ridge"
📌
Example Usage
"산등성이
위에 노을이 물들었다."
"The
ridge was colored by the sunset."
42. "짙어가다"
- "짙어가다" means "to grow darker or deeper" in color or mood.
📌
Example Usage
"황혼이
점점 짙어갔다."
"The
twilight grew deeper and deeper."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"어두워지다" – "to get dark"
📌
Example Usage
"하늘이
어두워지기 시작했다."
"The
sky began to darken."
43. "황혼"
- "황혼" means "twilight" or "dusk." It refers to
the time of day when the sun has just set.
📌
Example Usage
"황혼이
깔리며 하늘이 붉게 물들었다."
"The
sky turned red as twilight set in."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"노을" – "sunset glow"
📌
Example Usage
"노을이
참 아름다웠다."
"The
sunset glow was truly beautiful."
44. "밀려들다"
- "밀려들다" means "to surge in" or "to rush in." It
describes something that comes in a flood, such as people, emotions, or natural
forces.
📌
Example Usage
"황혼과
함께 쓸쓸함이 밀려들었다."
"Loneliness
surged in along with the twilight."
🌀🎨 Similar & Additional Expressions
"몰려오다" – "to come in crowds or waves"
📌
Example Usage
"생각이
한꺼번에 몰려왔다."
"A
flood of thoughts came all at once."
✒️ Grammatical Analysis of the Poem
나는 고개길을 넘고 있었다.
- "나는": "나 (I)" + subject particle
"-는"
- "고개길을": "고개 (hill)" + "길 (path)" + object particle "-을"
- "넘고
있었다": "넘다 (to cross)" +
connector "-고" + progressive form "있다" + past tense "-었다"
→ ‘I was
crossing a hill path’
📝
Meaning
A
reflective opening, marking the narrator's solitary movement through a
difficult or symbolic terrain.
그때 세 소년 거지가 나를 지나쳤다.
- "그때": "그 (that)" + "때 (time, moment)"
- "세
소년 거지가": "세 (three)" +
"소년 (boy)" + "거지
(beggar)" + subject particle "-가"
- "나를": "나 (me)" + object particle
"-를"
- "지나쳤다": "지나치다 (to pass by)" + past
tense "-었다"
• “지나치다” → “지나치었다” → “지나쳤다” (contraction)
→ ‘At
that moment, three boy beggars passed by me’
📝
Meaning
The
scene introduces the pivotal characters—young beggars—and marks the start of
the poet's emotional and moral reflection.
첫째 아이는 잔등에 바구니를 둘러메고, 바구니 속에는 사이다병, 간즈메통, 쇳조각, 헌
양말짝 등 폐물이 가득하였다.
- "첫째
아이는": "첫째 (first)" +
"아이 (child)" + topic particle "-는"
- "잔등에": "잔등 (back)" + locative
particle "-에"
- "바구니를": "바구니 (basket)" + object
particle "-를"
- "둘러메고": "둘러메다 (to sling over the
shoulder)" + connective "-고"
- "바구니
속에는": "바구니 (basket)" +
"속 (inside)" + locative particle "-에" + topic particle "-는"
- "사이다병, 간즈메통, 쇳조각, 헌
양말짝 등": list of discarded items (cider bottle, tin can,
metal piece, worn socks, etc.)
- "폐물이": "폐물 (junk, discarded
goods)" + subject particle "-이"
- "가득하였다": "가득하다 (to be full)" + past
tense "-하였다"
→ ‘The
first child had a basket slung over his back, and inside were cider bottles,
tin cans, metal pieces, old socks—all filled with junk’
📝
Meaning
A vivid
image of poverty and resilience, where even trash becomes cargo for survival.
둘째 아이도 그러하였다.
- "둘째
아이도": "둘째 (second)" +
"아이 (child)" + additive particle "-도"
- "그러하였다": "그렇다 (to be like that)" +
formal past tense "-하였다"
✂️ "그러하였다” → “그러했다” (contraction, contemporary language)
→ ‘The
second child was the same’
📝
Meaning
Reinforces
the shared condition and uniform suffering among the children.
셋째 아이도 그러하였다.
- "셋째
아이도": "셋째 (third)" +
"아이 (child)" + additive particle "-도"
- "그러하였다": same as above
→ ‘The
third child was the same’
📝
Meaning
The
repetition emphasizes the collective hardship and lack of individuality in
their suffering.
텁수룩한 머리털, 시커먼 얼굴에 눈물 고인 충혈된 눈, 색 잃어 푸르스름한 입술, 너덜너덜한 남루, 찢겨진 맨발,
- "텁수룩한
머리털": "텁수룩하다 (shaggy,
bushy)" + attributive "-한" + "머리털 (hair)"
- "시커먼
얼굴에": "시커멓다 (very
dark)" + attributive "-ㄴ" + "얼굴 (face)" + locative particle "-에"
- "눈물
고인": "눈물 (tear)" +
"고이다 (to pool)" + attributive "-ㄴ"
- "충혈된
눈": "충혈되다 (bloodshot)"
+ attributive "-ㄴ" + "눈 (eye)"
- "색
잃어": "색 (color)" +
"잃다 (to lose)" + connective "-어"
- "푸르스름한
입술": "푸르스름하다 (bluish)"
+ attributive "-한" + "입술 (lips)"
- "너덜너덜한
남루": "너덜너덜하다 (ragged)"
+ attributive "-한" + "남루 (rags, shabby clothes)"
- "찢겨진
맨발": "찢기다 (to be torn)"
+ passive attributive "-ㄴ" + "맨발 (bare feet)"
→
‘Shaggy hair, a dark face with bloodshot eyes brimming with tears, bluish lips
devoid of color, tattered clothes, torn bare feet’
📝
Meaning
An
overwhelming visual portrayal of extreme poverty and physical suffering,
evoking both pity and shock.
아아 얼마나 무서운 가난이 이 어린 소년들을 삼키었느냐!
- "아아": exclamation of sorrow or realization
- "얼마나
무서운 가난이": "얼마나 (how
much)" + "무섭다 (scary)" + attributive
"-은" + "가난
(poverty)" + subject particle "-이"
🔀 Irregular change: “무섭다” + “-은” → “무서운”
- "이
어린 소년들을": "이 (this)" +
"어린 (young)" + "소년들 (boys)" + object particle "-을"
- "삼키었느냐": "삼키다 (to swallow)" + past
tense "-었" + rhetorical question ending
"-느냐"
→ ‘Ah,
how terrifying is the poverty that has swallowed these young boys!’
📝
Meaning
A
powerful moral outcry, mourning the devouring force of poverty that consumes
even innocent children.
나는 측은한 마음이 움직이었다.
- "나는": "나 (I)" + topic particle
"-는"
- "측은한
마음이": "측은하다 (to feel
pity)" + attributive "-한" + "마음 (heart)" + subject particle "-이"
- "움직이었다": "움직이다 (to stir, to move)"
+ past tense "-었다"
✂️ "움직이었다” → “움직였다” (contraction)
→ ‘I was
moved with pity’
📝
Meaning
A moment
of emotional awakening in the speaker, responding with compassion to the boys’
suffering.
나는 호주머니를 뒤지었다. 두툼한 지갑, 시계, 손수건… 있을 것은 죄다 있었다.
- "나는": same as above
- "호주머니를": "호주머니 (pocket)" + object
particle "-를"
- "뒤지었다": "뒤지다 (to rummage)" + past
tense "-었다"
✂️ "뒤지었다” → “뒤졌다”
(contraction)
- "두툼한
지갑, 시계, 손수건":
descriptive listing of valuable items (thick wallet, watch, handkerchief)
- "있을
것은": "있다 (to have)" +
future attributive "-을" + "것 (thing)" + topic particle "-은"
- "죄다
있었다": "죄다 (all,
completely)" + "있다" in past tense
→ I
rummaged through my pocket. A thick wallet, a watch, a handkerchief… everything
was there.
📝
Meaning
An inner
contrast between material possession and emotional hesitation—abundance versus
moral paralysis.
그러나 무턱대고 이것들을 내줄 용기는 없었다. 손으로 만지작만지작거릴 뿐이었다.
- "그러나": "but"
- "무턱대고": "blindly, without reason"
- "이것들을": "이것들 (these things)" +
object particle "-을"
- "내줄
용기는 없었다": "내주다 (to give
away)" + attributive “-ㄹ” (future tense) + noun
"용기 (courage)" + subject particle "-는" (implied) + negation "없었다"
(past tense)
- "손으로": "손 (hand)" + instrumental
particle "-으로"
- "만지작만지작거릴
뿐이었다": "만지작거리다 (to fidget
with)" + repetitive intensifier + attributive “-ㄹ”
+ final ending "뿐이었다 (only did that)"
→ ‘But I
didn’t dare to give them away blindly. I just fidgeted with them in my hands’
📝
Meaning
Reflects
moral hesitation—despite abundance, generosity is blocked by fear and
indecision.
다정스레 이야기나 하리라 하고 "얘들아"
불러보았다.
- "다정스레": adverb of "다정하다 (to be
kind)"
- "이야기나
하리라 하고": "이야기 (talk)" +
additive "-나" (perhaps) + "하다" + intention ending "-리라" +
connective "-고"
- "얘들아": vocative form of "얘들
(kids)"
- "불러보았다": "부르다 (to call)" +
attemptative/experiential "-보았다" (past tense)
• “부르다” → “불러보다” → “불러보았다” (past tense)
→
‘Thinking I’d just speak kindly to them, I tried calling, “Kids”’
📝
Meaning
A shift
from action to speech, seeking connection through gentle words in place of
charity.
첫째 아이가 충혈된 눈으로 흘끔 돌아다볼 뿐이었다.
- "첫째
아이가": same as before
- "충혈된
눈으로": "충혈되다 (to be
bloodshot)" + attributive "-ㄴ" + "눈" + instrumental "-으로"
- "흘끔
돌아다볼 뿐이었다": "흘끔 (briefly,
sidelong)" + "돌아보다 (to glance back)" + attributive
“-ㄹ” + final construction "뿐이었다"
→ ‘The
first child only glanced back with bloodshot eyes’
📝
Meaning
A
minimal response, underscoring disinterest or detachment in the face of a weak
offer.
둘째 아이도 그러할 뿐이었다.
- "둘째
아이도": same as earlier
- "그러할
뿐이었다": "그러하다 (to be like
that)" + future attributive "-ㄹ" +
"뿐이었다"
→ ‘The
second child was the same’
📝
Meaning
Reinforces
the indifference shared among the children, learned by experience.
셋째 아이도 그러할 뿐이었다.
→ same
as above
📝
Meaning
A
mirrored repetition heightens the narrator’s helplessness and the children’s
emotional armor.
그리고는 너는 상관없다는 듯이 자기네끼리 소근소근 이야기하면서 고개를 넘어갔다.
- "그리고는": "그리고 (and then)" +
connective particle "-는"
- "너는
상관없다는 듯이": "너 (you)" +
topic particle "-는" + "상관없다 (to not matter)" + quoted clause "-다는" + manner ending "-듯이"
- "자기네끼리": "자기네 (themselves)" +
"끼리 (among themselves)"
- "소근소근
이야기하면서": "소근소근
(whispering)" + "이야기하다" + progressive
connector "-면서"
- "고개를
넘어갔다": "고개 (hill)" +
object particle "-를" + "넘어가다 (to cross over)" + past tense
→ ‘And
then, as if to say I didn’t matter, they whispered among themselves and crossed
the hill’
📝
Meaning
A
closing gesture of emotional separation—children who have moved past hope or
trust.
언덕 위에는 아무도 없었다.
- "언덕
위에는": "언덕 (hill)" +
"위 (top)" + locative "-에" + topic "-는"
- “아무도
없었다”: “아무도 (nobody)” + “없다 (to not be)” + past tense
→ ‘There
was no one on the hill’
📝
Meaning
A
metaphorical void—loneliness, missed connection, and the inevitability of
parting.
짙어가는 황혼이 밀려들 뿐-
“짙어가는”: “짙다 (dark)” + progressive “-어가다” + attributive “-는”
“황혼이”: “황혼 (twilight)” + subject particle “-이”
“밀려들
뿐”: “밀려들다 (to surge in)” + nominalizer
“뿐”
→ ‘Only
the deepening twilight surged in—’
📝
Meaning
The
final image leaves a somber mood of resignation and fading hope, as twilight
swallows the scene.
✒️ Introduction to the Poet
Please
refer to the link below for an introduction to poet Yun Dong-ju and his
representative works.
🔖 Yun
Dong-ju’s ‘Prologue’ Explained: Korean Poem of Conscience and Resistance
🔖 Korean
Poetry Explained: The Emotional Depth of Yun Dong-ju’s “Byeol HeneunBam”
🔖
Uncovering the Soul of Korean Poetry: Yun Dong-ju’s “Self-Portrait” Explained
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