#한국 속담

Hi guys~ today’s post is a Korean 속담 (proverb, old saying). 

백지장도 맞들면 낫다. 

First, let’s break it down.

백지장 white paper / 도 also, too / 맞들다 to lift up something together / (으)면 “if/when” grammar / 낫다 to be better

You could literally translate it as “It’s better if you lift up even a sheet of paper together.”/ “If you lift up a white sheet of paper together, it’s better.”

It’s similar to “many hands make light work” or “two heads are better than one.” 

A piece of paper is incredibly light, but even something that light is easier to lift if two people do it together. So, this is an expression about working together to make a task easier. Here are some examples of how to use it. 

(If someone is telling you you don’t have to help) 아냐 아냐 나도 도와줄게. 백지장도 맞들면 낫잖아! No, no. I’ll help you (too). Many hands make light work, you know. 

백지장도 맞들면 낫다고 제가 도와드릴게요. They say many hands make light work; I’ll help you. 

왜 혼자서 하려고 그래? 백지장도 맞들면 낫다는 말도 있잖아. 같이 하자. Why are you trying to do it yourself? They say many hands make light work. (Lit: You know there is an expression/words “many hands make light work.”) Let’s do it together.

Good luck studying guys!