Korean Proverbs
Gaeguri olchaengi jeok saenggak motanda (개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못 한다)
gaeguri olchaengi jeok saenggak motanda
Word for word
“The frog doesn't remember being a tadpole.”
What it means
People who've made it forget how they once struggled.
When you'd say it
A senior who's hard on newcomers despite starting out the same way.
Example
본인도 첫날 길 잃었으면서 신입한테 뭐라 하네. 개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못 한다니까.He got lost on his first day too, and now he scolds the new hire. The frog forgets the tadpole.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Korean proverb “개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못 한다” mean?
“개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못 한다” (gaeguri olchaengi jeok saenggak motanda) is a Korean proverb: people who've made it forget how they once struggled.
What is the literal translation of “개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못 한다”?
Word for word, it says: “The frog doesn't remember being a tadpole.”
When do Koreans say “개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못 한다”?
Typical use: a senior who's hard on newcomers despite starting out the same way.
How do you use “개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못 한다” in a sentence?
“본인도 첫날 길 잃었으면서 신입한테 뭐라 하네. 개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못 한다니까.” means “He got lost on his first day too, and now he scolds the new hire. The frog forgets the tadpole.”