Korean Proverbs
돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라
doldarido dudeulgyeo bogo geonneora
Word for word
“Tap even a stone bridge before you cross it.”
What it means
Double-check even things that seem completely safe.
When you'd say it
Before signing, sending or paying — when someone is sure it's fine.
Closest English saying
Better safe than sorry.
Example
계좌번호 한 번 더 확인해. 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너랬어.Check the account number once more. Tap the stone bridge first.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Korean proverb “돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라” mean?
“돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라” (doldarido dudeulgyeo bogo geonneora) is a Korean proverb: double-check even things that seem completely safe.
What is the literal translation of “돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라”?
Word for word, it says: “Tap even a stone bridge before you cross it.”
When do Koreans say “돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라”?
Typical use: before signing, sending or paying — when someone is sure it's fine.
Is there an English saying like “돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라”?
Yes — the English saying “Better safe than sorry” is close in meaning.
How do you use “돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라” in a sentence?
“계좌번호 한 번 더 확인해. 돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너랬어.” means “Check the account number once more. Tap the stone bridge first.”