Korean Dictionary
How to say "Actions Speak Louder than Words" in Korean
“Actions Speak Louder than Words” in Korean is 말보다 행동이다 (pronounced "Malboda Haengdongida").
말보다 행동이다
Malboda Haengdongida
Usage & Context
This Korean proverb emphasizes that actual actions and results are more meaningful than empty promises or words.
Example Sentence
약속만 하지 말고 말보다 행동으로 보여줘요.
Don't just promise, show it through actions rather than words.
How to use 말보다 행동이다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Actions Speak Louder than Words” is 말보다 행동이다, romanized as Malboda Haengdongida.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 말보다 행동이다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'mal-bo-da haeng-dong-i-da'. '말보다' is 'mal-boh-dah' (more than words). '행동이다' is 'heng-dong-ee-dah' (it is action).
More Example Sentences
calling out talk
말보다 행동이다, 그냥 보여 줘.
Actions speak louder than words — just show me.
parenting advice
부모는 말보다 행동으로 가르쳐야 해요.
Parents should teach by action, not words.
leadership discussion
말보다 행동이 더 설득력 있어요.
Action is more persuasive than words.
Cultural Context
This is a modern rendering rather than a classical 사자성어. A more literary equivalent is 불언실행 (silent doing). Koreans highly value 실천 (putting into practice) and are often skeptical of people who 말만 많다 (just talk a lot). This phrase is frequently used to dismiss empty promises, especially in politics and business.
Editorial note
We review entries like 말보다 행동이다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
말만 하지 말고 행동해.
Don't just talk, act on it.
행동으로 보여 주세요.
Show me through action.
말뿐인 약속은 싫어요.
I hate empty promises.
Related Expressions
실천
silcheon
putting into practice, execution
행동
haengdong
action, behavior
말뿐
malppun
just words (no action)
빈말
binmal
empty words, lip service
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
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