[Korean Culture & Language] Having High Eyes



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People with high standards often put extra pressure on themselves to achieve big goals in a set time frame. Having an excessively high standard could negatively affect one’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Same for dating and marriage. Having high standards can make a couple happier only if they already have a strong relationship. 


Koreans will say “넌 눈이 너무 높아 (Your eyes are too high)” when someone has extremely high standards, especially in dating. 


One can also say “넌 눈이 너무 낮아 (Your eyes are too low),” and it means “You have such low standards.”


Ex)

A: 혜림이가 우리 학교에서 제일 예쁘지 않아? 왜 남자친구가 없지?
A: Isn’t Hye-rim the most attractive girl in our school? Why doesn’t she have a boyfriend?

B: 눈이 높아서 그런 거 아닐까?
B: I’m sure she has extremely high standards for men.

A: 전남친 보니까 그런거 같진 않던데…
A: Considering her ex-boyfriend, I doubt that she does.

B: 아, 생각 해 보니까 그렇네. 걔 전남친이 민규였구나.
B: Oh, that’s right. Her ex-boyfriend was Min-kyu. 

A: 너는 왜 남자친구 안 사귀어? 너야말로 눈이 높은 거 아냐?
A: What about you? Why don’t you have a boyfriend? I’m sure you’re the one who has high standards for guys.

B: 아니, 나는 눈이 발에 달렸어
B: Nope. My eyes are on my foot (I have really low standards.)

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