[Korean Culture & Language] Loosing teeth while eating tofu

Hello, this is Uptempo!

Fear can prevent us from taking advantage of opportunities and achieving our goals to live our best lives. It might keep us from moving forward. However, a good amount of fear often leads to a positive life. Being cautious means allowing fear to be present when we need it. 

Matter of fact, being cautious can lead people to make fewer mistakes. Cautious people are more likely to succeed in life as well.

There is an idiom in Korea, ‘냉수도 불어 먹겠다.’ It literally translates to “You’re even going to blow on the cold water before you drink.” 

‘냉수’ means ‘cold water’
‘불어’ means ‘to blow’
‘먹겠다’ means ‘to eat/drink’

People usually blow on their hot drinks to cool them down, but one doesn’t have to blow on ‘냉수(cold water)’ because it is already cold. People make fun of those who are too worried or overly cautious by saying, “냉수도 불어먹겠다.”

On the other hand, the idiom ‘두부 먹다 이 빠진다’ points out that it’s always better to be careful.

‘두부’ means ‘tofu’
‘먹다’ means ‘eat’
‘이’ means ‘tooth/teeth’
‘빠진다’ means ‘lose’

It is directly translated to “Losing teeth eating tofu.” Since tofu is one of the softest foods, it is unlikely that someone will lose their teeth while eating it. It means that it is always better to be safe than sorry.