Tag Archives: proverb

하나를 알면 열을 안다 – You see one thing, and you know 10 things about them.

Age: 30

Text: 하나를 알면 열을 안다

Translation:  You see one thing, and you know 10 things about them automatically.

Context: “My dad used this against me a lot growing up. I didn’t like it because I thought it really judged people too harshly too fast. I got it used for situations where my room was messy, and I was always told, “People are going to know right away you are lazy”. Growing up now, I think I can see it work sometimes but I still think it’s one of the harsher proverbs.”

Analysis: The Korean proverb, “You see one thing, you know ten things” is one that is used as advice to people, especially younger people. It’s like a parallel to the English proverb, “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover”. Except this time, it’s telling you to judge immediately. It’s a harsher piece of advice for younger adults to be strict on how they look and that first impressions do matter immensely.

“Níl a fhios agam””

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student

Residence: New York, NY

Text: “Níl a fhios agam” (literal translation: its knowledge is not at me) – Irish Phrase

Context: While studying abroad in Dublin, my sister heard multiple non-Irish speakers say this. The phrase in Irish means “I don’t know”, however when my sister heard it said in Irish it was generally referring to a more abstract unknown, such as questions about the distant future. My sister also found the phrase interesting due to the lack of verbs, which is a feature of the Irish language.

Analysis: The use of the Native Irish language was used to emphasize the point. Saying “I don’t know” in English is not very impactful, and often shuts down a conversation. When the Irish language is used, it does not shut down a conversation; it more often was used to begin exploring what could happen. This is also a way that the Irish language remains alive outside of the classroom, even as English becomes the dominant language in Ireland. Using Irish phrases to have slightly different meanings to their English counterparts keeps the language and culture of Ireland alive.

“Water doesn’t boil when you watch it”

Age: 19

Date of Performance: 2/24/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: United States

  1. Text

The informant is a sophomore student at USC, who is studying Public Relations & Advertising. He quoted a proverb that says, “Water doesn’t boil when you watch it.”

2. Context

“I heard this, I think, from my friend’s mom. It’s just like a saying.”

“It’s about how obsessing over something just makes it more difficult to do it because when you watch water boil, it takes forever. But when you step away and do something else, time flies and it feels almost immediate.”

“When I was really young, I think I was 8 or 9, is when my neighbor’s mom told me this. Or maybe it was my own mom?”

3. Analysis

The informant’s uncertainty about who taught him this proverb represents how the family influence wasn’t necessarily the important factor in this phrase. It is again, another metaphor involving water and tied to human behavior. It is a teaching of patience, and letting things happen without obsessing over them. It teaches a larger lesson through a metaphor about a rather mundane action.

Mezuzah

This informant shared a tradition their family follows due to their Jewish heritage. In the Jewish culture, it is very common to find a small piece of wood in the doorway of any home. This wood has an extremely important purpose as it is a symbol of blessings which sanctifies the house which it hangs on. A Mezuzah is a small, decorative piece which specifically hangs on the right of a doorframe from the perspective of the entrance of the home. Mezuzah actually means doorpiece in Hebrew, embodying the message that Jews proudly live in this home and are not afraid to show it. Mezuzahs have been around for thousands of years, connecting, protecting, and uniting Jews around the world. 

The Mezuzah tradition highlights a significant aspect of Jewish culture, deeply rooted in religious practice and family heritage. Usually the Mezuzah bears a parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah which serves as a symbol of blessings and sanctification for the home.  As individuals pass through the doorway adorned with a Mezuzah, they are reminded of their connection to God and their obligation to uphold the teachings of the Torah. The Mezuzah carries both spiritual and symbolic weight, embodying the Jewish people’s pride in their heritage and their commitment to living in accordance with their beliefs. Despite centuries of dispersion, Jewish communities worldwide have maintained the practice of affixing Mezuzah to their doorways preserving a tangible link to their shared heritage and faith.

Black is Sweet

Text: “The Blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.”

Context: The participant recounts that this proverb has been told to her from a very young age. She remembers the first time she heard it was at a family gathering and she asked for an explanation. Her aunt explained to her that it was a saying that recognizes black beauty and contradicts the negative stereotypes that are put forth onto the Black community. She specifies how it can be used to also counter negative stereotypes within the Black community, relating to colorism.

Analysis: This proverb helps uplift and promote a positive self-image within the Black community. As they have been prosecuted and deemed as inferior by many people due to the complexion of their skin. Elaborating on the participants’ mention of how it also relates to colorism within the community, that tends to favor people with a lighter skin tone, this proverb sheds light that black is beautiful. While also recognizing that people of darker complexion should be prideful of their skin tone. Although this proverb is used within black communities, the plague of colorism and prejudice is also relevant in other POC communities.