Korean Proverbs
Guseuri seo marirado kkweeoya bobae (구슬이 서 말이라도 꿰어야 보배)
guseuri seo marirado kkweeoya bobae
Word for word
“Even three bushels of beads are a treasure only once they're strung.”
What it means
Talent and resources are worth nothing until you put them to use.
When you'd say it
Nudging someone with great ideas to actually finish one.
Example
아이디어 노트만 열 권이네. 구슬이 서 말이라도 꿰어야 보배지.Ten notebooks of ideas. Beads are only treasure once they're strung.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Korean proverb “구슬이 서 말이라도 꿰어야 보배” mean?
“구슬이 서 말이라도 꿰어야 보배” (guseuri seo marirado kkweeoya bobae) is a Korean proverb: talent and resources are worth nothing until you put them to use.
What is the literal translation of “구슬이 서 말이라도 꿰어야 보배”?
Word for word, it says: “Even three bushels of beads are a treasure only once they're strung.”
When do Koreans say “구슬이 서 말이라도 꿰어야 보배”?
Typical use: nudging someone with great ideas to actually finish one.
How do you use “구슬이 서 말이라도 꿰어야 보배” in a sentence?
“아이디어 노트만 열 권이네. 구슬이 서 말이라도 꿰어야 보배지.” means “Ten notebooks of ideas. Beads are only treasure once they're strung.”