Korean Proverb : 호랑이도 제 말하면 온다

 

 

호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다

 

The expression 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다 (horang-ido je mal hamyeon onda), which translates to "Even a tiger will come when I tell you" (or literally, "If you talk about the tiger, it will come"), is a popular Korean idiom. It’s used when someone unexpectedly appears just as they are being talked about, similar to the English expression "Speak of the devil."

 

 

• 우리가 철수에 대해 얘기하고 있었는데 갑자기 나타났네! 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다더니.
  "We were just talking about Chulsoo, and he suddenly appeared! Talk about a tiger coming when spoken of."

 

• 우리가 방금 선생님에 대해 말하고 있었는데, 선생님이 들어오셨어. 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다더니!
  "We were just talking about the teacher, and she walked in! They say even a tiger comes when spoken of."

 

 

Dialogue

Situation: Two friends, Minji and Jisoo, are chatting at a café about their friend Yuna, who they haven’t seen in a while.

 

Minji: 요즘 유나 어떻게 지낼까? 너무 오래 못 본 것 같아.
"I wonder how Yuna is doing these days? Feels like we haven’t seen her in ages."

Jisoo: 맞아. 내가 들은 바로는 새 회사에서 일하기 시작했대. 바쁘다고 하더라고.
"Yeah, I heard she started working at a new company. Sounds like she’s been busy."

 

(Suddenly, Yuna walks into the café and spots them.)

 

Yuna: 어? 너희 여기 있었어? 진짜 오랜만이다!
"Oh? You guys are here? It’s been so long!"

Minji: 와, 진짜 신기하다! 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다더니, 네 얘기하고 있었거든!
"Wow, this is unbelievable! They say the tiger comes when spoken of, and we were just talking about you!"

Jisoo: 맞아! 정말 타이밍이 딱이네! 어서 앉아!
"Exactly! Perfect timing! Come, sit with us!"