세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다

se sal beoreut yeodeunkkaji ganda

Word for word

“A habit at three lasts until eighty.”

What it means

Habits formed young are very hard to break.

When you'd say it

Talking about raising kids, or a grown-up who still bites their nails.

Closest English saying

Old habits die hard.

Example

아직도 다리 떨어? 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다더니.Still bouncing your leg? A habit at three lasts till eighty.